Top 5 Class C1 SOPHOMORE leaders – LIBERO/DEFENSIVE SPECIALISTS
NEBRASKA CLASS C1 SOPHOMORE LIBERO/DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST DIGS/SET LEADERS Battle Creek at district finals against Syracuse. Payton Taake, Battle Creek, 5.8 digs/set OWH Second Team Class C1 All-State Coach Cody Wintz: Paytyn was our libero and out-of-system setter this season. …
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Continue ReadingNEBRASKA CLASS C1 SOPHOMORE LIBERO/DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST DIGS/SET LEADERS
Battle Creek at district finals against Syracuse.Payton Taake, Battle Creek, 5.8 digs/set
- OWH Second Team Class C1 All-State
Coach Cody Wintz: Paytyn was our libero and out-of-system setter this season. It was her first year in this role, and she excelled in it. We played her in the Left Back position of our defense and designed our blocking scheme to funnel as many balls to her as possible. She was exceptionally accurate on hard-hit attacks, while still covering a lot of floor space for us on tip coverage. Our serve receive was also set up in a way to give her the biggest area of the court.
Paytyn grew into the role of being a vocal leader on the court, taking charge and directing traffic. We debated quite a bit in the summer and preseason as to where she should play on the court as she is able to play multiple positions. The libero position fits her naturally and we’re excited to have her back next season!
Aishah Valenzuela, Wakefield/Allen, Photo contributed. Also pictured above.
Aishah Valenzuela, Wakefield/Allen, 5.2 digs/set
Coach Cheryl Greve: Aishah loves to compete in all settings and is a well-rounded athlete. She is a sophomore who got placed into the libero role at the start of the season and she excelled with 415 digs. She was also in every serve receive with 325 receptions with only 45 errors. Aishah isn’t only a strong volleyball player, she is shortstop on the softball team, and guard on the basketball team. She is a hard worker and a joy to coach!!!
Autumn Haislet, Raymond Central, photo contributed.
Autumn Haislet, Raymond Central, 4.9 digs/set
- VCN 16 Black
- LJS Honorable Mention All-State
Coach Andrea Rockemann: Autumn has been a two-year starter for us at the libero position. She is an intense worker, determined and extremely quick. Autumn has worked hard on her ball control and does a nice job of feeding the ball to our setter at a fast and consistent tempo. Her scrappy court play and never-quit attitude is what any coach wants out of a libero. Autumn is a three-sport athlete competing in volleyball, basketball and track. She is spending her offseason playing club with VCN out of Lincoln. This season, Autumn led our team in digs, service receptions and ace serves. I am excited to watch Autumn continue to grow and develop as our back row leader in these upcoming years; she has a bright future ahead of her.
Jacey Garrett, Chadron, 4.7 digs/set
- LJS Honorable Mention All-State
- OWH Honorable Mention All-State
Coach Blakelee Hoffman: Jacey is a very natural athlete with a high IQ for all sports. One of the reasons she does so well at Libero is because she not only passes well, but her resiliency is unbelievable…hardly ever gets rattled. She also is very fast (state qualifier in track for 4 x 400) so she is good at chasing down shanked passes or digs.
Keirten Welke, O’Neill, Photo credit Mom Welke.
Kiersten Welke, O’Neill, 3.8 digs/set
- Slam-Rocks VBC
Coach Angie Robertson: Kiersten Welke is a Sophomore for O’Neill High schools. Kiersten took on a new role this season as a Libero. We choose her for her ability to communicate and her pure passion to play. She brings positive energy every time she hits the court. Kiersten will play club this Spring for our local team the Slam-Rocks. They will travel to several area tournaments. We only see her growing as a libero and can’t wait to see what her future holds. Welke’s court sense continues to grow and she is committed in the offseason to become one of the best! Thank you for taking notice of this rising star!
Note: Stats are retrieved from maxpreps.com. Stats for this list are for digs/set for the players that are marked liberos or defensive specialists. Many 6 rotation players average among these players.