Top 250 Expo Class of 2026 DS/Liberos

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PrepDig has had Expos in different states, and this was the 1st time it was held in California. The event took place at the Long Beach Mizuno Volleyball Club facility in Carson, California. It was a great turnout with athletes representing several high schools, clubs, positions, and graduating classes. PrepDig appreciates everyone who came out in support of this event; Mizuno staff for the use of their building, coaches, scouts, parents, and players. It could not have been done without you, so thank you for your participation and patience in turning players into prospects.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A defensive specialist/libero has responsibilities on both offense and defense. Their number one job is controlling the ball, and providing great passes that can start the offense running. They cover a lot of ground on the court. Meet eight DS/Liberos who are in the class of 2026 and came to the Expo ready to showcase their talent and skills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":480892,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Estela Escuro","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'5u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Huntington Beach High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"SG Elite 16 Roshambo","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eEstela Escuro u003c/strongu003ewas a back-row defender during gameplay. She was able to move around and cover holes in the block. She kept the ball up and had a response to a hitters attack. She was aware of where the ball was during each rally. She would go after every ball. Escuro has a quick reaction when attempting to prevent a ball from hitting the floor. She is aware of sharp attacks and strong serves, knowing where to be positioned to get the best defensive response. Looking forward to her future in volleyball and watching her play.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":480893,"_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"Mckenna Giles","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"5'4u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Centennial High School","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"Pipeline VBC","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eMckenna Giles u003c/strongu003ehas good speed to get to tips and an exceptional reaction time to dig some really hard attacks. She will slide on her knees, pop up a ball, and get back on her feet all in one motion. Not only can she pass, but she can also set balls from back row on target to her pins. Her athleticism shows when she is providing quality defense by running, diving, and sliding all over. Giles appears to know how to read her opponent's offense and will get to the placement area saving a ball from hitting the floor. She is in position and ready at all times. Her platform is solid, her passes are controlled, and she provides great coverage for her pins. Excited to see what's in store for her volleyball career and watching her play.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":480895,"_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='481386' first='Destinee' last='Gonzales']","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"5'3u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Great Oak High School","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='429552' first='Temecula' last='Viper'] 17-1 Natalie","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003e[player_tooltip player_id='481386' first='Destinee' last='Gonzales'] u003c/strongu003estepped into the drills arms extended, low to the court, ready to receive a ball. She came into the Expo ready to show what she brings to the sport of volleyball. Gonzales brings one of the most important skills to the game, passing. Being able to pass so the offense can be in system is an important task. She would go after balls and save them from going out. She had no problem getting on the ground, digging balls, and hopping right back on her feet. Looking forward to where the volleyball platform takes her and watching her play.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["480672"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_player_featured_image":480898,"_player_evaluations_3_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='480672' first='Alizae' last='Leilua'] was very vocal during drill participation and gameplay. She was calling u0022mine, mine, mineu0022 for the ball and making her presence known on the court. She is quick to the ball and fully covers her area and beyond from back row.  During gameplay, her passing was consistent. She would pass the ball on target to the setter, which assisted in getting off a good set. Leilua was ready to receive attacks and her speed made it possible for her to dive forward to cover the block and dig tips. Excited to see what's in store for her volleyball career and watch her play.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["339983"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_player_featured_image":480900,"_player_evaluations_4_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eSage Meidroth u003c/strongu003ehas no fear of getting down on the floor for a dig, tip, or to receive an attack, she stays ready. She added ball control during gameplay, passing the ball well, and starting the offense. Meidroth was ready to get every ball she could. She has good attributions of consistency, good passing and digging abilities along with quickness and ball handling skills. Looking forward to her future in the sport and watching her play.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["470854"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_player_featured_image":480902,"_player_evaluations_5_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='470854' first='Brighton' last='Richards'] came in the Expo ready to go. She hustled in drills, getting to the ball in the different areas it was being tossed. She would slide, arms extended to get that touch. During gameplay, Richards would dig the ball and put it in position so the setter could run an effective offensive play. She covered a lot of area on serve receive and made the best pass to get the offense started. She came in and did the two things expected from a libero, made good passes, and dug up balls. She has great court awareness. Looking forward to seeing her play.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["391915"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_player_featured_image":481239,"_player_evaluations_6_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='391915' first='Tiani' last='Shaw'] has great passing skills which is a quality that defensive specialists/liberos require. Without a good starting pass, teams can end up out of system and it makes it harder to score. Shaw has very good passing skills with controlled ball placement.  Her reaction time is quick enough to pop up attacks and get into position to cover her hitters. She uses her speed from sideline to sideline, protecting any attempts of the other side scoring.  Her serves went right above the tape making them hard to predict. Shaw brought her confidence defensive skills to the Expo. Looking forward to watching her career in the sport and watching her play.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_player_details_selected_featured_image":480906,"_player_evaluations_7_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"Ahnika Smith","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"5'7u0022","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"Mater Dei High School","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_7_player_details_club_team":"Long Beach Mizuno 16R","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_7_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eAhnika Smith u003c/strongu003ewould place herself in the right position to take a ball. Without being at the right place a good pass could not happen. She was prepared for the angles by shuffling side to side to get a ball. She has good lateral movement while staying in position, being able to cover much ground. Her determination to get to every passable ball on the court was visible. Smith was alert and resilient. She remained confident even if a play didn't go as planned. She was ready and focused. Excited to see her during club season.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":8,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-655ac43e4c1e6"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A great way to support our volleyball athletes and teams is by sharing our stories with family, friends, and fans. This can be done by subscribing or sharing on social media. Follow Prep Dig and Prep Dig California on their many different social media platforms ie: Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Sometimes unintentional errors happen. For any corrections, please email them to niqnaq23@gmail.com and put “PrepDig correction” in the subject line. Thank you for the support and happy reading!! *If you are a player, please claim or create your FREE player profile.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->