Class of 2020 Libero and Defensive Specialists Ready For Spotlight

For the Class of 2020, they will be heading into their Junior year of high school.  They are upper classmen now. For some, they might of had to wait their turn to be the libero.  Others this may be their first year as a full time varsity player. Finding a libero that is dependable in every situation can be difficult.  When a team has a solid and consistent one, it can be a total gamechanger. Here are a few from the Class of 2020 that will continue to be one of the top liberos in their class or this could be their year to step into the role as a full time varsity starter wearing “The Jersey”.  

Amber Bischel – Wisconsin Juniors 16-1 – Germantown

Wisconsin Juniors has had a strong season, upsetting plenty of top clubs at the Nike Presidents Day Tournament in St. Louis as well as the MidEast Qualifier in Indianapolis.  Their middle Karina Leber made her verbal commitment to play at Colorado State. Bischel is where it all starts for Juniors. With a solid platform, smooth movements, and knack for making the big play Bischel is definitely one on the radar of Division 1 coaches.  Playing on a solid team always helps. Her athleticism combined with great training is what makes her one of the tops in her class.

Kaleigh Fitzgerald – Milwaukee Sting 16 White – Kettle Moraine

Fitzgerald started the season playing a little bit on the pin, but has since moved back into being the libero for Sting 16 White which is on an absolute tear as of late.  This team won the AAU Super Regional at Grand Rapids and their division at the JVA World Challenge. They defeated Sting 16 Black to get to the championship at Badger Region.  Fitzgerald has the body language of a winner, someone who can finish. She is in the right place at the right time, but also makes the simple and routine plays. Sting 16 White has an incredibly strong serve and serve receive game that dictates the tempo of their matches from the start.  Fitzgerald was an Honorable Mention All State selection in 2017.

Megan Piton – Wisconsin Volleyball Academy 16 Black – Appleton North

Piton has always been a solid defender for WVA and will be looking to contribute in the backrow for Appleton North this upcoming season.  North will be replacing nine seniors and have a few options as far as what they could do for a libero and outside hitters. The Lightning made a state run making three state tournament appearances in four years and will be looking to make a run back to the Resch with a new crop of players.  Piton is also a top student in the classroom as well!

Tahya Pozorski – Motion (MVP) 16 Blue – Oconomowoc

Pozorski has had plenty of top level training with the USA High Performance program and is the libero for Motion 16’s that have had a really strong season with top showings at the JVA World Challenge and is always competitive at the Great Lakes Power League.  With a team with all players under six foot, they depend on solid ball control which starts with Pozorski. Motion plays with lots of fire and intensity and when the ball control is on point they are tough to stop. Oconomowoc will lose Paige Jaeger to graduation which will open up a libero spot for the Raccoons with plenty of options to choose from.

Erin Powers – Sting 16 Gold – Mukwonago

Powers was an outside hitter for the Mukwonago state tournament team last season, but with the graduation of Katie Schoessow heading to Marquette there will be an open spot for libero.  Powers could play on the pin or be the libero, which she has been playing from time to time for Sting 16 Gold. Last season Powers had 272 kills and 342 digs.

Hope Sholten – Wisconsin Volleyball Academy 16 Black – Sheboygan North

Sholten teams up with Piton on WVA and is also quite the combo with Dru Kuck for Sheboygan North.  Sholten is a spark, a dynamic athlete who has many of the same qualities as a Dru Kuck, after all they do train together and take great pride in owning the backrow.  Sholten will look to take on a larger role for the Raiders who will also have the likes of setter Annie Hopp, middle Kasey Bell, and pin hitter Lizzie Binder. Their section is absolutely loaded with the likes of Neenah, Oconomowoc, Watertown, and West Bend West just to name a few.  However, they will be gearing for a Fox River Classic Conference title.

Rylee Vaughn – Sting 16 Black – Lake Country Lutheran

Vaughn was able to raise a gold ball last year for Lake Country Lutheran, which despite the graduation of Brooke Anderson who is going to Iowa State, the Lightning will still have a very competitive team.  Vaughn will serve a bigger role in the back court and even as a vocal leader on the court.  She has had solid training with Sting and knows how to win.  Vaughn had just under 300 digs for a team that went 45-5 in 2017. 

Katherine Walch – FC Elite 15 Navy – Notre Dame

Spark and fire, thats what Walch plays with for FC Elite 15 Navy and for Notre Dame Academy out of Green Bay.  The Tritons have been one of the top programs in Northeast Wisconsin, but has graduated their top hitters. Walch will be a leader with her body language and overall game.  Her smile on the court is contagious as well as her ability to dig a hard driven ball or cover off the block (a skill so underrated). She may not score points for her team, but she sure saves plenty of them.