2023 GJNC Top Liberos – 16/17 Open
In this article:
Be sure to follow @lshotvb on Instagram and Twitter for all things volleyball! – No better way to end the club season than with the illustrious USA Girls Junior National Championships every year. With some of the best talents from across the…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingBe sure to follow @lshotvb on Instagram and Twitter for all things volleyball!
–
No better way to end the club season than with the illustrious USA Girls Junior National Championships every year.
With some of the best talents from across the country on tap, the gym is red hot with top notch competition. This year was no different for the championships, upsets galore, heavy weights falling and fresh faces atop the podium.
Let’s take a look at some of the best of the best throughout the field. There were defensive dandies aplenty throughout the 16 and 17 Open, here were some of the best.
Aniya Warren Aniya Warren 5'8" | DS/L Benet Academy | 2025 State #33 Nation IL – 1st Alliance
Some times libero’s tend to fall under the radar a bit, but NOT this one. Warren is a ‘bro that is meant to be watched on the big stage under the big lights. Warren plays with energy for days and a lot of fire. Her ability to cover a mass court area is impressive and to do with such ease and poise says a lot.
Isabelle Mahaffey – Arizona Storm
You know what they say, “Serve and pass wins games”, and “Defense wins championships”. Both fit the mold of Mahaffey beautifully because she can do all of that at the highest of levels. It’s no wonder how Storm managed to run away with the title so easily!
Zoey Mattias – Tribe
Arguably an unsung hero for this Tribe squad, Mattias doesn’t get enough love, but she will here! A relentless defender, Mattias is the commander and operator of the Tribe defensive line and it bodes them well. Tribe may have narrowly bowed out of the semi-final, but much of their success comes off the first contact of Mattias.
Callie Krueger Callie Krueger 5'5" | DS/L Cedar Park | 2025 State #22 Nation TX – Austin Skyline
This SKyline team is a lot of fun to watch. With their mix of size and physicality with great ball control led by ‘bro, Krueger. It’s always a show what ever court they step on. Krueger’s play alone puts on a show in itself.
Keri Leimbach Keri Leimbach 5'4" | DS/L Lincoln Lutheran | 2025 State #40 Nation NE – Nebraska One
She may be small, but Leimbach is a might, might defender in the back court. No blow too strong for her, no ball too far out of her wheel house – she’s always bettering the ball. There’s no wonder how Leimbach is Nebraska bound with the way she plays.
McKenna Payne McKenna Payne 5'7" | DS/L SMCC | 2025 State #105 Nation MI – Michigan Elite
She’s one of the top ‘bros in the country for a reason and she was showcasing exactly that at the USAV Championships. En route to leading her squad to a top 10 finish, Payne was dialed in from first serve to last ball.
Addie Canady – Triangle
One of the most scrappiest players you’ll find in the gym, Canady is a walking highlight reel. No ball is too far for her to chase down and grab. She leads this Triangle squad is so many different ways.
Mailinh Godschall Mailinh Godschall 5'7" | DS/L Centennial (MD) | 2024 State #183 Nation VA – Metro
Even with the plethora of the dominating giants of Metro’s attackers, Godschall always finds a way to make her presence known in the back court. With the attackers in her own gym, most opponents are easy money for this player. She moves well to cover a lot of ground.
Taylor Deckert Taylor Deckert 5'8" | DS/L Mira Costa | 2025 State CA – SCVC
In one of the best storylines from the 17 Open Division – or even the entire Girls Junior Nationals – SCVC made statements! Upset after upset en route to a 17 Open National Title, much of this team’s success is thanks to Deckert in the back court. The USC bound bro had the Midas touch on first contact.