A Look at the Top 5 Liberos in the 2024 Class: Michigan

<!-- wp:heading {"level":6} --> <h6 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Be sure to follow&nbsp;@lshotvb&nbsp;on Instagram, Tik Tok and Twitter for all things volleyball!</em></h6> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":6} --> <h6 class="wp-block-heading"><em><a href="https://prepdig.com/top-250-expos/">Join us at the&nbsp;Prep Dig Top 250 Expo</a>!&nbsp;</em><em>Use code LShotVBExpo2023 for 10% off your registration fee.</em>&nbsp;(APPLICABLE TO ALL EXPOS)</h6> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":6} --> <h6 class="wp-block-heading">–</h6> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The latest rankings update is up and LIVE!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are coming down the home stretch here. For many, a final horrah in the club scene is on tap. For some, this past high school season proved to be their wave good-bye to Michigan prep volleyball. This has been quite the class of players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In one of the last ranking updates for the 2024 class, let's take a look at the top 5 liberos in the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">No. 2 [player_tooltip player_id='110318' first='Carley' last='Piercefield'] - Lakewood/FaR Out (Western Michigan)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This may be one of the best defensive players to ever play in a Vikings jersey. Amassing nearly 3,000 digs throughout her career, [player_tooltip player_id='110318' first='Carley' last='Piercefield'] has surely left her mark. Alongside those many, many defensive plays and pick ups, Piercefield has been a part of Lakewood Volleyball history that includes 2 consecutive Final Four appearances. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Going into her last club season, Piercefield will wrap up an illusive career with FaR Out that has seen her lead multiple teams to top 5 national finishes and a national title last April. Next Fall will see Piercefield join forces with current mid-major powerhouse, Western Michigan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">No. 8 [player_tooltip player_id='110301' first='Hailey' last='Green'] - North Branch/Michigan Elite (Wingate)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From one elite defender to the next. The same could be said for [player_tooltip player_id='110301' first='Hailey' last='Green']. This player may go down as one of the best defensive players to have ever played in a Bronco jersey. While small in stature, Green is enormous on the volleyball court. The stats and accolades speak for themselves. With nearly 2500 career digs and 2 consecutive state titles (3 consecutive championship appearances), Green is an elite status. She also placed third in the 2024 Miss Volleyball votings too. The highest of any 'bro. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rounding out her high school career, Green will finish with Michigan Elite this spring before heading out to North Carolina to play for Division II heavy-weight, Wingate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">No. 11 [player_tooltip player_id='110279' first='Gianna' last='Bender'] - Hudsonville/MVA (San Diego State)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hudsonville was arguably the IT Team of the 2023 season. Seemingly nearly untouchable atop the Division I standings, a big reason that many pointed out was because of their incredible passing and defensive play. This was all headed up by west side standout, [player_tooltip player_id='110279' first='Gianna' last='Bender']. Another Miss Volleyball nominee, Bender had an incredible tail-end to her prep career. In her second season accumulating over 600 digs, Bender finished just shy of 2,000 career digs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This club season, Bender will finish up with MVA Rise Academy before heading out west to San Diego State in the fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">No. 13 [player_tooltip player_id='110299' first='Kiley' last='Gallagher'] - Clarkston/Legacy (Oakland)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This libero has certainly left her mark on Clarkston volleyball. Quenching a long, long drought from the Wolves in a deep post-season run, [player_tooltip player_id='110299' first='Kiley' last='Gallagher']'s defensive work proved critical this season. Being the only other player to lead their team to a Final Four this season, Gallagher was one of the most valuable players in that match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After finishing her career with [program_tooltip program_id='430319' first='Legacy' last='Volleyball Club'] this spring, Gallagher will pivot onto her collegiate career right down the road at Oakland University.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">No. 24 [player_tooltip player_id='172207' first='Olivia' last='Behen'] - Saline/L2 (Grand Valley State) </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While we didn't see much of this player in her distinctive defensive role this season, what we did see was rather impressive still. While a libero by nature, this player did something that not many other 'bros could do. Step up and run an offense entirely on her own. While the first half of the season, [player_tooltip player_id='172207' first='Olivia' last='Behen'] was in the jersey and averaging nearly 4.5 digs per set. The second half of the season saw Behen setting full-time, averaging nearly 11 assists per set. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After completing one last season with L2 volleyball this spring, Behen will find herself at an emerging Division II powerhouse with Grand Valley State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->