Nebraska’s Qualifier Stock Risers: 2025 Defensive Specialists

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The series continues.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've now covered 2026 pin hitters, 2026 setters, 2025 middle blockers, and uncommitted 2024s in our post-qualifier recap of Nebraska's biggest stock risers. Now, it's time to bring another talent-rich position group into the mix: liberos from the Class of 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It became apparent that this was a special group ever since we put out our very first 2025 watch list. This unit has evolved a lot since then, and even more names have risen to the forefront this season. Here's a feature for them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["155038"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Mayer has repeatedly proven her prowess in the middle-back area for Nebraska Elite 16 Maverick. She locks down the primary defensive specialist spot as a sub for one of 16 Maverick's outsides, and the move is worthwhile every time. Nebraska Elite can count on Mayer to anchor the passing formation and provide some key digs when the team needs them most.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["155040"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"An important caveat: Kucks can wear a lot of different hats in the Premier Nebraska gym. The Millard North standout has become one of the state's most exciting all-around players in the 2025 class, and that's while playing up an age group and adapting to multiple positions. Kucks can take over matches at outside hitter, but she's also made recent demonstrations of her defensive skills in the libero jersey.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["253929"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Porter made the most of her Showcase appearances last fall, and now that's translating into a strong club campaign with River City Jrs 16 Red. She's not the only River City athlete we'll discuss here, either, so keep an eye on the talent forming at this program.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["189376"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Nebraska Juniors has a major backcourt standout in its 16s camp. Ashby has made an wide-ranging impact from her performances with Aurora and 16 Black in addition to her appearance at last year's Prep Dig Showcase in Kansas City. Whether it's holding down serve receive or making eye-popping saves defensively, Ashby is among the best hidden gems that Nebraska has to offer in this class.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["342561"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"It's been a big month for Swiercinsky, who recently landed on our latest 2025 rankings update and has been on a tear since then. Her standout floor defense with VCNebraska 16 Black is complemented by her equally strong passing and leadership skills. Put another big one in the VCN pipeline.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["269961"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Covalt has consistently been one of Nebraska's can't-miss small-town talents from the Class of 2025. She put together a brilliant sophomore campaign with Seward last fall, and now Covalt is making similar contributions with Nebraska ONE 16 Black. Here's a backcourt specialist who's not afraid to play low to the floor and make some brave digs against hard-driven attacks.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["214042"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Here's another River City Jrs athlete who has captured the spotlight at recent qualifiers. Congrove helps glue together the entire 16 Navy backcourt and eases so many ball control burdens off of her teammates. The team trusts Congrove to step into gaps and take care of many first contacts, and this libero is always there to deliver.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["213986"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"Braithwaite has stood out in a variety of venues, from her work with Club Legacy to her outings at our Prep Dig Showcase events. It's a testament to the depth of Nebraska's 2025 liberos, and you can look forward to seeing Braithwaite on some big prep stages before long.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["342558"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"McCarthy does all the little things for Nebraska Elite 16 Vision. This libero has been especially valuable in her ability to produce quality second contacts during out-of-system plays. Overhand setting is often a tough skill for liberos to master, but McCarthy has proven to be very comfortable in this area and will not hesitate to help her setter.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["342504"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"We're wrapping up with another player who has experience at both outside hitter and libero. Jasa has stood out over the last several weeks, particularly during Premier 17 Silver's march to a runner-up finish at Show Me. The Millard West product has done some serious work at the libero spot and can slot into a frontcourt role if the situation warrants it.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6441ef928535e"} /-->