Top 10 Liberos In Latest 2023 Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our final look through the final 2023 player rankings takes us to the defenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The trusty libero/DS position is always important and Michigan never has a shortage of standouts in the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One note is that we included Novi/Legacy standout defender [player_tooltip player_id='66340' first='Sarah' last='Vellucci'] as part of our outside hitters, but she also certainly is one of the best defenders you can find.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, here's a look at the top 10 for the Class of 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>1. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66295' first='Allison' last='Berent'], Notre Dame Prep/L2</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Berent is another in a great line of NDP defensive players. This year was her chance to be fully in charge of the Irish back row and she shined well. The Alabama commit racked up 684 digs and 68 aces in her senior season. In previous years she's stepped up as a hitter, showcasing her total athleticism and adaptability. Berent is willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done, which she always does.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>2. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66308' first='Kaitlyn' last='Hoffman'], Novi/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hoffman is part of the great defense-hitting combo at Novi with Vellucci. She's been a stellar defender throughout her career and been part of a national championship club squad. Mixing in an outside hitter role with Novi, she had 324 digs, 213 kills and 63 aces as a senior with the Wildcats. The Ohio State commit is as consistent as they come and her eyes are always laser-focused on the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>3. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66297' first='Kalliann' last='Cook'], Birch Run/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cook has been the foundation for the Birch Run program over her high school career and always held the reputation of being one of the best defenders in the state. A vocal leader, her energy and effort is never in question. Cook has taken a lot of bumps and bruises along the way, but she's always making eye-opening digs that you wouldn't expect. An Austin Peay commit, Cook has a great attitude to succeed at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>4. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='152528' first='Ella' last='McAllister'], Marshall/FaR Out</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McAllister was another foundation to her prep program at Marshall. The Miss Volleyball finalist helped Marshall win four district titles over her career. A clear leader on the floor, Marshall was always comfortable taking command being someone her teammates could turn to. She also led by example with constant effort and relentless energy on the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>5. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110323' first='Alexis/Lexi' last='Smith'], Anchor Bay/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith has been showing consistent improvement throughout her career and that capped with a solid 2022 season. She had over 450 digs on the year. The Oakland commit moves very well and has a quick first step to make a lot of tough plays. Smith is a very coachable prospect, which should lead her to big things at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>6. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='108714' first='Taryn' last='Rice'], Northville/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Northville was the D1 runner-up in 2022 and Rice was a big unsung hero for the team. She led a strong core of defensive talent for the Mustangs that allowed their great offense to stay in-system. The Northern Iowa commit had over 500 digs and 50 aces on the season. She's got a lot of drive and is fiercely competitive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>7. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66342' first='Kendall' last='White'], St. Johns/Five:1</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>White goes under the radar in the state sometimes but she deserves a lot of recognition for a great career. Over 2,000 digs have been made while at St. Johns to go along with 270 aces. This past season she had 565 digs and approached 100 aces to become a real game-changer on the floor. White has been as steady as it comes on the prep scene.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>8. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66333' first='Ella' last='Shields'], Mercy/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shields is a standout athlete that was utilized as an outside at Mercy this past fall and she rose to the occasion for the Marlins. She had nearly 300 kills with 265 digs and 64 aces. In her Mercy career, she nearly tallied 1,000 digs. The Stony Brook commit has proven she can do it all at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>9. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66305' first='Lauren' last='Heming'], Marian/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heming was definitely an unsung hero for the Marian program over her career, helping the Mustangs win three state titles while sporting the libero jersey. Heming put up just shy of 1,600 digs over her four years, including 425 in 2022. She had three straight seasons with at leas 420 digs. Heming put up her best matches at the biggest time, while at Kellogg Arena.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>10. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='108758' first='Kate' last='Hotaling'], Forest Hills Central/MVA</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rangers had a big 2022 season and it wouldn't have been possible without Hotaling having a standout performance in her own right. The senior tallied 423 digs and 44 aces for FHC this fall and allowed the offense to stay in-system with their two powerful arms. Hotaling is very technically sound in the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->