My Top Liberos Who are Fun to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Passing may be one of the most difficult skills to learn. Those who master this skill often get overlooked. What sticks in your thoughts the most is the last touch of the rally. The spike that brings the cheers and earns the point. Our memories forget the pass or dig that created the kill. Below, the liberos who make the pins look good. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["180300"],"_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6461b0dc7d1d9"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180300' first='Mailinh' last='Godschall'] </strong>2024 (Metro) - What a lot of people do not know about her is she led her high school team Centennial in kills. At 5'7" clearly her future sits at the libero position. That is the position she plays for Metro. Defensively, she always seems to be in the right spot to make a dig. Her passing and serving also contribute to Metros standing as one of the top clubs in the country. Mailinh has committed to Duke.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='248630' first='Kayla' last='Foley']</strong> 2024 (Beach Elite) - The first time I watched her play was in the finals of the Class 5 State championships against Midlothian. First Colonial came up short but Kayla impressed with her precision passing. She also played solid defense on the floor. Those skills for the position were enhanced by her attendance at Michigan State volleyball camps. Eventually she earned first team All Tidewater as a libero with a 2.33 passer rating. Not a surprise the Spartans liked what they saw. Kayla has committed to Michaigan State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["224123"],"_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6461b0dc7d273"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235747' first='Natalia' last='PeBenito']</strong> 2024 (Columbia Acadamy) - One of the top liberos in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC). In fact, the only libero voted to the first team. She hustles for every ball, playing with a quiet intensity. Her libero play earned Columbia Academy an at large bid to the Junior Nationals in Chicago. Unfortunately, they were unable to attend because of scheduling conflicts. Natalia brings leadership to the court, a good attribute to possess with a commitment to Navy. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["196556"],"_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6461b0dc7d315"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='196556' first='Caleigh' last='Ponn'] </strong>2025 (NC Academy Diamond) - Not only did Caleigh lead her team in kills, she also finished second in the state of Virginia with 687. Her high school Hidden Valley ultimately lost in the finals of the Class 2 Virginia State Championships, their only loss of the season. She commutes to North Carolina to play volleyball for the more competitive style of play. One aspect you have to like in her play is her passion for the game. She never gives anything less than 100 percent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["180302"],"_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6461b0dc7d39b"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180302' first='Emma' last='White']</strong> 2025 (Blue Ridge 17) - Blue Ridge is known for their beach program. Emma stands out as one of their top beach players. Perhaps that explains her ability to pass and play defense. She brings her skills from the sand and applies them to the hard court. She also brings a little personality to the game. Blue Ridge has qualified to compete in Junior Nationals at the National Division after winning the Chesapeake Qualifiers. Emma plays up for the Blue Ridge 17 team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235291' first='Sadee' last='Gedse']</strong> 2025 (Paramount) - At the start of the season for Oakton she played defensive specialist. Before the season ended she earned the libero spot. She plays club for Paramount. Her play at libero earned them a qualifying bid for the USA Division. At the Chesapeake Qualifiers they fell short of bumping up to Nationals, losing to Metro in the finals. Sadee brings a lot of range to the court for coverage in passing and on defense. Another player who enhances her overall game playing in the sand. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["235749"],"_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6461b0dc7d417"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235749' first='Kareena' last='Rathnam']</strong> 2025 (MVSA Sparks) - Love her attitude on the court. She stays calm no matter the situation. Her passing at this point may be better than her positioning on defense. That will get better with time. Last year she played libero for Sparks. This year she shared the libero position with [player_tooltip player_id='306543' first='Sherry' last='Ye']. Both are quality performers in the back row. Sparks will play in the Freedom Division at the Junior Nationals in Chicago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='306543' first='Sherry' last='Ye']</strong> 2025 (MVSA Sparks) - Her defense is exceptional. Her arm strength gives her the ability to perform a dolphin dive. Don't be surprised to see her flying in the air to scoop a tip up before it hits the floor. She earned time in the libero spot with her consistent play. Having both Kareena and Sherry in the back row certainly improves the passing and defensive ability of the Sparks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["181280"],"_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6461b0dc7d476"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181280' first='Brenna' last='Corbin'] </strong>2026 (Blue Ridge 16) - Another player who brings her beach skills to the indoor game. She hit outside for Class 4 Virginia State Champion James Wood, ranking second on the team in kills. She relies more on shots than velocity to get those kills. For Blue Ridge she plays libero and her quickness gives her a lot of range on the court. She plays up with the 16s. They will be competing in the American Division at Junior Nationals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["238358"],"_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6461b0dc7d4ca"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238358' first='Evie' last='Huang']</strong> 2026 (Metro) - Evie also plays up with the 16 and under crew at Metro. Additionally, she earned the starting libero position at Flint Hill as a frosh, defeating a number of juniors who were vying for the position. Her excellent passing and defense catapulted Flint Hill to the VISAA State Championships for the fifth consecutive year. She handles the pressure well, always giving a calm presence on the court. Metro will be playing in the National Division at the Junior Nationals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["325602"],"_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6461b0dc7d51c"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='325602' first='Alexa' last='Smith'] </strong>2026 (Liberty Elite) - You can watch players on the court and easily identify those who want to be good. While her teammates are hitting missiles during warmups before games Alexa squares up on the other side of the net trying to dig those missiles. Liberty qualified for the Freedom Division in Junior Nationals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["218149"],"_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6461b0dc7d56f"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='218149' first='Giselle' last='Norris']</strong> 2026 (Metro) - You will find it hard to identify a player who has more enthusiasm for the game of volleyball. She earned a starting libero spot for Millbrook High as a frosh, which won the Northwestern conference, finishing ahead of eventual state champion James Wood. Clearly, she does everything she can to become a better volleyball player. She will be showing off her skills for Metro in the Open Division of Junior Nationals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["265167"],"_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6461b0dc7d5c1"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='265167' first='Laila' last='Chadwick']</strong> 2027 (Metro) - She hit outside for Metro last year. This year Metro is covered at the pins so they moved Laila to the libero spot. She took to it quickly. A very athletic player who makes playing the position look so effortless. Moves quickly in the back row allowig her to cover a lot of court on defense. Laila plays up for Metro 15 and will be playing in the Open Division at Junior Nationals in Chicago..</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other liberos I enjoyed watching play this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='209800' first='Sydney' last='Pham']</strong> 2024 (Vienna Elite)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='223897' first='Amelia' last='Tomlinson']</strong> 2024 (Richmond Volleyball Club) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='207594' first='Paula' last='Sigurani']</strong> 2024 (Paramount)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tournament Results</strong>: <strong>MVSA Charge </strong>took first place in the AAU Beachfest. Their biggest match was in the semifinals against BAVA 16 Breakers. That game went three sets with MVSA Charge winning the third set 16-14. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='322107' first='Eden' last='Tardy']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='325599' first='Raegan' last='Lentz'] </strong>led the Force lineup... <strong>American 15</strong> dominated their competition in a local Vienna Elite tournament. They swept through their five matches, not giving up more than 17 points. American is led by 6'2' middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238850' first='Sydney' last='Bennett']</strong>. She clearly was the most dominant player in the tournament. Another player who shined was <strong>Natalie Carlton,</strong> who put some heat on the ball from the left side...A couple 2027s who impressed at a local Vienna Elite tournament in Winchester were left side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='438075' first='Riley' last='Patterson']</strong> and libero<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='438072' first='Ferris' last='Brown']</strong>, both of whom played for <strong>Battle</strong>. Riley has a fast arm swing that puts some zip on the ball as it travels over the net. Ferris passes and digs her balls with good height, accumulating a number of "3" ratings with her passing....The <strong>Libero Huskies</strong> had a 2028 setter<strong> Iris Jin</strong>, who ran a 5/1 and was named team captain. They finished second in the tournament. Shenandoah Surge won the tournament, but we did not see them play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->