Fitz's Notes App: 2023 Liberos - Committed and Uncommitted

Plenty of times when standing with college coaches who are recruiting they will ask me if I know any athletes with a certain position from a particular graduating class. From there, it is a mental file folder of athletes and then thinking about who is committed and who is not. I have notes that I take at every event I attend as well as what I see being streamed. There are plenty of 2023 liberos still available and there are a few who I really enjoy see taking the court who have already made their verbal commit. Here is a glimpse of who are some top liberos who are committed, and those who are not - but could be very soon. Committed <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Finishing match two on most courts with more names to know. Ivey Stocks - Tri State Elite Charli Morris <a href="https://x.com/RogueVBC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RogueVBC</a> Brianna Mahoney - <a href="https://x.com/RogueVBC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RogueVBC</a> Raegan Burns - <a href="https://x.com/TheAcademyVB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheAcademyVB</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/centralzone?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#centralzone</a> — Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) <a href="https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1487437843547004933?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Reagan Burns - Academy 17E Tsunami Committed to Kansas I’ve seen Burns over the past two years and what I enjoy about her game is her ability to make it look easy. She plays within herself and always seems to get a clean platform to the ball. She is extremely well trained and knows how to win at a high level with a state title in her high school season and competing at the Open level at Academy. She is a great get for the Jayhawks and will be one who can contribute at the next level for a college program coming off a lot of momentum with a Sweet 16 appearance in 2021. <img class="wp-image-185777 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/03/DSC03768.jpg" alt="" width="422" height="281" /> Alyssa Manitzas - Alamo 17 Premier Committed to Notre Dame Manitzas jumped on the radar when this Alamo squad was a runner-up finisher at Triple Crown in 2020. Manitzas plays with such a spark where she lights up the court, she has such a presence on the court with her ability to pick up the garbage with tips, tools off the block, and keeps her side in system with a pass coming off a hard swing. She will head to Notre Dame and play under Coach Salima Rockwell where this program could be a major sleeping giant in the ACC. <img class="wp-image-185778 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/03/DSC03351.jpg" alt="" width="420" height="280" /> Jonna Spohn - Mintonette m.71 Committed to Ole Miss I wrote Spohn’s number down at Central Zone from back in January. I loved how she played the position with such athleticism. She looked like she could have been a basketball player, a shortstop in softball, or throw some cleats and put her on the soccer field and she’s making an impact. I didn’t realize at the time she was committed to Ole Miss which just adds to a really loaded Class of 2023 heading to the SEC from the Midwest.   Arya Jue - A5 Mizuno 17 Jing Committed to Yale A5 has a strong alumni group of liberos who have played for some of the top college teams in the country. Jue is in line with those liberos where she plays for the 17 Jing squad who is a top team in the 17s division having won the Triple Crown 17 Elite Division. Jue is going high academic to the Ivy League where she plays so relaxed. I say this over and over that coaches aren’t looking for liberos who are diving all over the place, they want liberos who can make those diving plays by anticipating and having great footwork, where the result is keeping the ball in system - that’s Jue.   Uncommitted and On The Radar! <img class=" wp-image-185774 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/03/DSC03336.jpg" alt="" width="401" height="267" /> Hannah Howard- Michigan Elite 17 Mizuno So. Much. Range. Howard is out of the Toledo area and plays for Michigan Elite 17 Mizuno who is always in the hunt for gold play on Sundays. Howard can play in left back or middle back where she is really strong at being able to read the split and adjust. The ball does not need to be hit directly at her in order to make a play. With great footwork and platform awareness, she can make the adjustments that for most are a scramble situation, but she can get the ball to top setter and Kentucky commit, Ava Sarafa to run the show. <img class=" wp-image-105311 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/08/Molly-Berezowitz1.jpg" alt="" width="398" height="265" /> Molly Berezowitz - MKE Sting 17 Gold Berezowitz is another athlete who gets better each time she steps on the court. She teams up with Kati Goba for MKE Sting 17 Gold in the backcourt to make quite the duo where they can get their side in system. With plenty of range and a high IQ, Berezowitz can anticipate the next touch and has little wasted motion. She is really finding her groove. There are also intangibles where she knows how to win, trains at a high level, and connects extremely well with her teammates. <img class=" wp-image-185775 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/03/DSC03755.jpg" alt="" width="383" height="255" /> Vanessa Del Real - 1st Alliance 17 Gold The Real Deal Del Real. I’ve seen Vanessa Del Real on the high school and club courts and she continues to impress with her consistency. She can play with the bro jersey on or DS where she’s going to make a lot of positive touches on her side. She’s a major spark for one of the top 17s teams in the country and can handle a high volume of serve receive duties. She also has plenty of positive intangibles where her teammates enjoy playing with her. Del Real and Northwestern commit, Gigi Navarette and such a solid duo in the back row for 17 Gold. <img class=" wp-image-185776 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/03/DSC03416.jpg" alt="" width="368" height="245" /> Becky Barrett - Illini Elite 17 Cardinal Barrett plays with a fire, so fun. This Illini Elite Cardinal squad has the big swings of Kenna Wollard (Purdue) and Lily Barry (Illinois), but there are still plenty of top 2023 athletes who are future contributors at the next level. She is accustomed to Open level play and can handle the speed of the game. She trains with two future Big Ten athletes and seeing big swings and tough serves is just another day in the gym. Illini Elite 17 Cardinal will be in action at the JVA World Challenge in April.   Kayla Hostetler - NKYVC 17-1 Tsunami Hostetler is another I have notes on from Central Zone. I really like this NKYVC squad where they are a dangerous team that can knock off some powers. Hosteltler is one of those liberos who can cover plenty of ground with her athleticism. NKYVC as a club always seems to have those gritty athletes who are really strong all around players. Hostetler is in that group and will be a contributor at the next level. <img class=" wp-image-182404 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/02/Screen-Shot-2022-02-28-at-1.54.51-PM-300x210.png" alt="" width="391" height="274" /> Amelia Albers - Capital 17 Adidas So steady. Albers has been the rock of the backrow for Capital 17 Adidas out of Madison, Wisconsin. What is strong about Albers' game is how she is so under control and is really quiet with her platform. She makes the plays that need to be made and will give you a few extra touches to keep the ball alive. This Capital squad has a high powered, balanced team where the first contact by Albers is really key to their success.   Sophia Boumans - 1st Alliance 17 Silver The 1st Alliance Class of 2023’s are so deep. Their 17 Silver squad can compete among some of the open level teams and have open level players who will definitely be key players at the next level. Libero Sophia Boumans was impressive at Central Zone and I know I will see her again at future events. Another one who is extremely athletic with plenty of range and has a ton of upside where her best volleyball is ahead of her.