Skilled Liberos Shine at the Chi-Town Classic
Let’s get some liberos in here. Yesterday, I dropped some names of middle blockers who stood out last weekend at the Prep Dig Chi-Town Classic. Naturally, we’re going to do a full pivot for this next feature and look at…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingLet’s get some liberos in here.
Yesterday, I dropped some names of middle blockers who stood out last weekend at the Prep Dig Chi-Town Classic. Naturally, we’re going to do a full pivot for this next feature and look at liberos who anchored the backcourt.
Of course, we have other Chi-Town content rolling out. Check out Fitz’s Fab Five and some pin hitters featured by Rachel Kass. It always helps to have a full squad of scouts on hand!
Now, on to the feature!
Alexandria Goritz – 5’7 DS/L – Top Flight 16 Elite
Goritz is a 2025 athlete playing with a great pack of 2024s, and she doesn’t look out of place at all. She commands the backcourt with a veteran presence that is incredibly rare for such a young player. This is a libero that is not afraid to set in front of other passers to take care of the first contact. Goritz’s uncanny ability to keep her team in system helped lift Top Flight to a podium finish in the 16s bracket.
Marta Leeland Marta Leeland 5'4" | DS/L Portage | 2025 State WI – 5’4 DS/L – Capital 15 Adidas
Capital 15 Adidas regularly found ways to rally around their libero last weekend. Leeland is another one of those defenders that will gladly cover a lot of ground to ensure she’s taking the first touch. She was also not shy about digging any heat that was coming her way, whether it was in the crosscourt or down the line.
Peyton Wurtz – 5’5 DS/L – Top Flight 14 Theta
Wurtz is a libero that simply makes everyone’s life easier — everyone on her team, that is. She frequently frustrated opposing hitters with perfect digs that were placed right on the setter’s head. It’s not just that Wurtz can keep balls alive, but she does it in a way that allows her team’s offense to go right back to work and score. That’s the value of a great defender, and 14 Theta certainly has one.
Close battle on Court 3 between Capital and Top Flight.
Peyton Wurtz has been really solid at libero for Top Flight 14 Theta. #PDChiTownClassic pic.twitter.com/ySf92DsKxn
— Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) February 12, 2022
Paige Miller Paige Miller 5'10" | DS/L Kaukauna | 2023 State WI – 5’10 DS/L – FC Elite 17 Navy
The Ohio State commit just keeps getting it done. Miller is bound for the Big Ten in 2023 because she does all the little things you want to see in a libero. She reads the game well and never wastes a step in pursuit of the ball. 17 Navy could essentially count on Miller absorbing any attacks that drifted into her zone.
Ella Rosner Ella Rosner 5'6" | DS/L Kimberly | 2023 State WI – 5’3 DS/L – Impact 17-National
Rosner was so steady throughout the weekend. She is incredibly comfortable with picking up attacks that are sailing past her midline, and that kind of body control helped save numerous rallies for Impact 17-National. Don’t try to serve to Rosner, either, because she’ll gladly take command of serve receive.
Ava Dehaan – 5’5 DS/L – ImpactDT 15U Rey/Abbey
You can’t win a tournament title without a great backcourt, and Impact Dynamic got plenty of great production from Dehaan at libero. She commands the middle-back particularly well and is always around to communicate with her other passers.
Ava Van Camp Ava Van Camp 5'6" | DS/L Kimberly | 2025 State WI – 5’7 DS/L – Impact 15-National
The 15s division runner-up also has a standout libero that bears the Ava name. Van Camp’s athleticism and defensive grit were on full display in Chicago as she scurried around to pick up balls that many others would have missed. She also brings it from the service line, adding to her complete repertoire.