2024 Rankings Update: Top Liberos

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our latest <a href="https://prepdig.com/michigan/rankings/2024-rankings/">Class of 2024 Player Rankings</a> came out last week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this class, a pair of defenders have worked their way into the top five, while the overall crop of back-row specialists is impressive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are sure to be some college standouts come from this group, so let's get an updated look at the top 10.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>1. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110301' first='Hailey' last='Green'], North Branch/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's not much more that needs to be said about Green. She's consistently displayed excellence at the position and guided North Branch to the Division 2 title this season. With 663 digs and 52 aces, Green has been the driving force that allowed the Broncos to utilize their stacked offense. Her ability to get to most any ball slowly depletes the confidence of her opponents.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>2. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110318' first='Carley' last='Piercefield'], Lakewood/FaR Out</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Piercefield has been a constant for the Lakewood program the last three years. This past fall, the Vikings had to really rely on their defense and Piecefield was up for the challenge. She took on a leadership role and looked very comfortable as a team leader. Her play is always technically sound and consistent, and she's grown more confident with each year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>3. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110279' first='Gianna' last='Bender'], Hudsonville/FaR Out</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":166832,"width":172,"height":212,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/11/DSC_4932.jpg?w=827" alt="" class="wp-image-166832" width="172" height="212" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='110279' first='Gianna' last='Bender']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carrying on the family name for the Hudsonville defense, Bender shifted from a DS last fall to the libero in 2022. She was clearly ready for the step up, as she recorded 682 digs while helping keep the Eagles as one of the top teams in the state throughout the year. Bender is lightning fast in the back row, which allows her to get to nearly every ball. She's already amassed over 1,250 digs for her career, despite only donning the libero jersey this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>4. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110299' first='Kiley' last='Gallagher'], Clarkston/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gallagher was a big climber in the overall 2024 player rankings as she really had a breakout season for the Wolves. Gallagher finished with over 500 digs on the year and had Clarkston playing some of the best defense in the state. She's a hustle-player that clearly has the respect and adoration of her teammates. Gallagher is going to only continue to get better from here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>5. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110283' first='Natalie' last='Bourdo'], TC Central/Northshore</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bourdo is one of the top players in Northern Michigan. She is light on her feet and technically sound as a libero. She's got the active eyes and plays the right angles to make a tough dig. Her ball control really shined against top opponents and she also brings a challenging serve to the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>6. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110300' first='Ashlee' last='Gnau'], Northville/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":281292,"width":175,"height":241,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/12/3-Ashlee-Gnau-2.jpg?w=743" alt="" class="wp-image-281292" width="175" height="241" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='110300' first='Ashlee' last='Gnau']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Northville has been blessed with a lot of defensive talent over the years and that is certainly no different in 2022. Gnau was a DS to play alongside a top libero in [player_tooltip player_id='108714' first='Taryn' last='Rice'], as well as another name on this list. A great serve receive player and steady as a rock in her spot in the back row, Gnau has all the instincts to be a top defender. She recorded 330 digs as a DS for the Mustangs this fall and also was a team leader in aces with 56.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>7. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='153682' first='Kendall' last='Smith'], Notre Dame Prep/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith missed some time during the prep season due to an injury, but her return toward the end of the season was a big boost for the Irish. Her postseason saw her go nearly perfect on her serve receive. She also was a key to the Irish getting a hard-fought sweep of Detroit Country Day in the district final. Coming into her senior season, Smith is likely in for a breakout year as the Irish will be looking for another star to wear the libero jersey in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>8. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110322' first='Taylor' last='Smaka'], Grand Haven/MVA</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Playing in an ultra-competitive OK Conference, Smaka never had an easy night. Facing big hitter after big hitter, she proved to be a dig machine, tallying over 700 on the season for Grand Haven. It's one thing to make a dig, it's another to make it an accurate feed to the setter. That was something Smaka managed to do against some of the best power arms in the state. She also was a talented server with 70 aces on the year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>9. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='172207' first='Olivia' last='Behen'], Saline/L2</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Behen was another big climber in the overall rankings. She is coming off a great prep season where she helped Saline reach the Division 1 semifinals. On the season she tallied 567 digs and 58 aces. Behen had a great motor in the back row and was a vocal player that took control of the defense. She showed a lot of confidence on the court and really came into her own as the season progressed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>10. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110313' first='Greta' last='McKee'], Northville/L2</strong> </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McKee was another solid DS option for Northville to join Rice and Gnau. This fall, McKee showed a lot of improvement on her serve receive and allowed the Mustangs to be one of the top defensive teams in the state. Perhaps it was the purple hair that led opposing teams to send the ball her way, but that usually was a losing formula for Northville's opponents.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->