Outstanding Liberos this Season
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Liberos are the backbone of every team; without them, teams would not be able to play as successfully defensively, which would directly and negatively impact a team’s offense. There are several impressive high school libero and defensive specialists this season.…
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Continue ReadingLiberos are the backbone of every team; without them, teams would not be able to play as successfully defensively, which would directly and negatively impact a team’s offense. There are several impressive high school libero and defensive specialists this season. Below is a nonexclusive list of some of those athletes who have been playing excellent defense for their teams.
Cheung, a four-year Varsity player and Team Captain for Westview, is a top defensive player who has helped push her team to a 23-4 overall record and 10-2 league record, just behind Jesuit in current 6A Metro League standings. Cheung has an impressive resume: She made the Metro League First Team in 2020 and 2021, was named on the AVCA Phenom Watch List for 2020 and 2021, and was Westview Varsity’s MVP and Team Captain in 2020 and 2021. This year, Cheung continues to lead her team defensively with over 200 total digs. She was recently named the WaFdBank Oregon Girls Athlete of the Week for her stellar playing in the back row, and she has an undeniably strong presence on the court and plays quick and high level defense.
Sophia Rewers
Sophia Rewers
Rewers is a fun player to watch. She is everywhere on the court, providing great block coverage to Valley Catholic’s hitters and chasing after rogue balls to keep the point alive. She’s notched an impressive 324 digs so far this season. Rewers plays solid serve receive, too, consistently putting up nearly perfect passes to kick off the Valiants’ offense. She is resourceful and uses her athleticism to cover balls that are short in front of her or that go over her head. Not only is Rewers a great passer and defensive player, but she can also put up great sets for her team’s pin hitters when setter Katiya Arellano Katiya Arellano 5’3″ | S Valley Catholic | 2024 State OR plays the first touch.
As one of the Team Captains this year, Taylor has had an impressive season with La Salle and has helped lead the team to an 18-4 overall record and 13-2 league record. Over the season, she has racked up 77 aces, 288 successfully passed balls on serve receive, and 239 digs, averaging 3.2 digs per set. Taylor is instrumental in allowing the Falcons to run an effective offense this season.
Street is one of the state’s top players for total digs this season. She has tallied 454 digs so far, posting an incredible 6.2 digs per set. Street is not only excellent defensively, but she also is a very strong player on serve receive; she is steady and controlled in passing opponents’ serves, racking up 415 successful passes on serve receive this season. Street has also helped Crescent Valley achieve its 22-2 overall record and 13-0 league record with her serving, posting a total of 44 aces.
Highlights
Hanna VanderPloeg
Hanna VanderPloeg
Mohawk Senior and Team Captain VanderPloeg leads the 1A conference in digs and has tallied more digs this season than many of the state’s other liberos. She’s notched 367 digs, 297 successful passes on serve receive, and an impressive 75 aces; VanderPloeg also averages a solid 5 digs per set. The Mohawk Mustangs currently lead the 1A-3 Mountain West League with a 16-7 overall record and a 14-0 league record, and it’s no surprise that VanderPloeg has had a huge hand in that success through her steady defense.
As just a sophomore, Azavedo impressively leads the 6A Metro League in digs this season, having tallied a total of 283 digs and an average of 3.6 digs per set so far. She’s also notched 68 aces and 286 successful passes on serve receive. Azavedo is an incredibly talented athlete: She’s quick to the ball, reads the ball well, and plays excellent coverage behind the Crusaders’ big hitters. It will be fun to see how Azavedo continues to grow as a player over the next couple of years.