Top Liberos to Watch at AAUs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After writing about the top pin hitters, middles and setters to watch in AAUs, it is time to focus on the liberos. I've already written about some of these liberos. The link for that is here <a href="https://prepdig.com/2023/05/my-top-liberos-who-are-fun-to-watch/">My Top Liberos Who are Fun to Watch - Prep Dig</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='248630' first='Kayla' last='Foley']</strong> (Beach Elite/First Colonial) - She will be playing in 17 Premier. An example of a girl who went to a volleyball camp at Michigan State and eventually committed to the Spartans. We wrote about her in the link above. A libero who always seems to be in the right spot when playing defense. She also moves her feet well to pass.</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-648dde05d9b6e"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235747' first='Natalia' last='PeBenito']</strong> (Columbia/Good Counsel) - Another libero who will be playing in 17 Premier. Natalia has committed to Navy. We also wrote about her in the link above. What I like is her hustle to the ball. She also appears to be a good teammate on the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='209800' first='Sydney' last='Pham']</strong> (Vienna Elite/Madison) - Our fourth ranked libero in the class of 2024, but the highest ranked libero who has yet to commit from that class. A very consistent passer who moves quick in the back row. Class 6 voted her to the All State second team even though her team did not advance far in the high school State playoffs. Sydney will be playing in 17 Premier. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["223897"],"_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-648dde05d9bf5"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='223897' first='Amelia' last='Tomlinson']</strong> (Richmond Volleyball Club/West Albemarle) - Amelia has committed to Liberty. She ranks one spot below Sydney. Class 4 voted her to the All State second team. At 5'8" she brings some length to the libero position, but also moves quickly playing defense. Amelia will be playing in the 17 Premier.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181239' first='Lanie' last='Goff']</strong> (Virginia Juniors/Patriot) - It appears Virginia Jrs. will be playing in both AAUs and Junior Nationals. Don't know if Lanie will be playing in both or either. She was added to the 18 roster to play in their National championship. That would be a lot of volleyball, but also a testament to her ability to play back row and provide a contribution. Her consistent passing and scrambling defense allow her teams to play in system more. Juniors will be playing in 17 Premier. We talked a little bit about her here for Junior Nationals <a href="https://prepdig.com/2023/06/preview-of-local-17u-teams-for-junior-nationals/">Preview of Local 17U Teams for Junior Nationals - Prep Dig</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='180303' first='Karen' last='Cao']</strong> (Virginia Elite/Montgomery Blair) - Karen was one of my highest risers in the class of 2024, moving from her 90 rank to number 40. Last year she played back row for Metro and did not get much playing time. For Virginia Elite she grabbed the libero position and played it well. Karen is quite athletic, moving quickly in the back row. Virginia Elite will be playing in 17 Open.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["352786"],"_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-648dde05d9c64"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='352786' first='Cassandra' last='Bradley']</strong> (MVSA Starz/Richard Montgomery) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='395680' first='Kaila' last='Baker'] </strong>(MVSA Starz/Paint Branch) - When you watch Cassandra play you just know she loves to play the game. She communicates well with her teammates, shows hustle when going after balls and just seems to be a great teammate on the court. Kaila has been added to the team from Maryland Juniors. Unfortunately, I have not seen Kaila play, but her videos are impressive. Definitely a libero not afraid to use her hands for setting. MVSA Starz will be playing in 17 Premier.</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-648dde05d9cd2"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='196556' first='Caleigh' last='Ponn']</strong> (NC Academy Diamond/Hidden Valley) - On to the class of 2025. Caleigh ranks as the top libero in the class of 2025, in addition to ranking number 72 overall in our national ranking. When you watch her play you can sense an extremely high volleyball IQ. Caleigh will be playing in 16 Open. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='235292' first='Zana' last='Royster']</strong> (St. James Navy/Alexandria City) - Her libero play proved critical to Alexandria City winning the Virginia Class 6 State championship. A steady passer who keeps her team in system. She showed a lot of improvement during her high school season. With another year of club under her belt this is a libero to watch. St. James Navy plays in 16 Spirit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["246485"],"_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-648dde05d9d3f"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='246485' first='Faith' last='Ramirez'] </strong>(Virginia Juniors/Lightridge) - The only class of 2026 libero included here. Faith ranks number 6 in our libero rankings, but the five ranked higher than her will be playing in Junior Nationals (15 under highlighted later this week). She has some pretty good hands after being a setter, but at 5'5" the libero position may fit her best. Juniors will be playing in 15 Aspire.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->