New Additions: 2027 Libero Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2027 libero position is talented and deep, with several of the top prospects starting for top-level high school programs and earning all-league honors in their first season as a varsity player. Top ranked 2027 Libero [player_tooltip player_id='484723' first='Kela' last='Williams'] was covered in our initial rankings article, we get into the the rest of the top defenders in 2027 here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These athletes will have several chances to compete against one another during the club season, Renovators, No Limits, WVBA, NPJ, SIVA, and more compete head-to-head in the Northwest Power League. The Puget Sound and Evergreen Region Power Leagues feature Dakine, CPA, Puyallup Juniors, Oly Reign, PSVBA, Sudden Impact, and Shockwave among others- all with excellent defenders from the 2027 class. The Pacific Northwest Qualifier in Spokane may be the best way to see as many high-level Washington 2027 liberos as possible in the same tournament, the long-time USAV Qualifier is packed with excellent teams every year. Here is a closer look at several of the top liberos from the initial 2027 Prep Dig Washington Rankings. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["459085"],"_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":"Lauifi had a terrific freshman season patrolling the backline for South Kitsap High School, and will carry that momentum into the 2024 club season with DaKine 15-1 Surf. Combining quick feet and a good feel for the game, Lauifi also has command of the back row defense, cutting off balls she can handle and protecting her setter by covering tips and off-speed shots. The #2 ranked libero in the class and #13 ranked prospect overall is set for a big run with a solid DaKine team.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65acaaa811cae"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/b-pDIPGrHwA?si=92km971yp_ZMDwx6","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/b-pDIPGrHwA?si=92km971yp_ZMDwx6 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["499473"],"_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":"Strong was a driving force for West Valley Yakima as they gained momentum throughout the season and ended with a trophy at the 4A State tournament. The 5'6 2027 prospect is tough, has a knack for keeping her digs off the net, and has the frame and willingness to throw herself on the floor with abandon when she chases down a ball. Looking for someone with anticipation and good hands? Strong is a basketball player for the Rams during the winter season, and she has a game with 9 steals to her credit already.  Strong is handling libero duties for No Limits 17, a team to watch out for in the 17's Division this club season.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65acaaa811d05"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["446664"],"_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_tooltip player_id='446664' first='Sophia' last='Gao'] is a high level passer who understands angles and is willing to pass half the court out of serve receive if the flow of the game makes that necessary. She covered a lot of ground for Lakeside during the school season, and is able to finish her digs off, giving her setter time to get their feet to the ball and send a quality set to the hitters. Gao is a precision passer, her angles are dialed in and she give her team a chance to work in transition. She plays for WVBA 15 Adidas and will be in action this weekend at the Northwest Power League in Auburn.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65acaaa811d43"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18990119/6511ff70e984d100d84012d1' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65b9b78a383f3"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["499324"],"_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":"Kaelin has the all-around game to be an attacker, we really like her play defensively at the libero spot. She is athletic and has good length for the position at 5'8, her confidence and passion for the game are apparent every time she steps on the court. The 2027 prospect earned all-league honors for White River and plays her club ball for Puyallup Juniors 16 National. Kaelin glides around the floor and can turn on the jets when she needs to make a move to keep a ball of the floor or rise up and make a play at the net.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65acaaa811d7c"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://my.sportsrecruits.com/athlete/jordyn_kaelin3?video=2909484">https://my.sportsrecruits.com/athlete/jordyn_kaelin3?vide</a><a href="https://my.sportsrecruits.com/athlete/jordyn_kaelin3?video=2909484" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">o=2909484</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["499403"],"_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":"Pirillis was able to step in and put up nice numbers when she had her number called for Puyallup this season, and the training at the 4A powerhouse is terrific. She snagged an Honorable Mention on the All-League team in the tough SPSL, a reward her for her efforts as a first-year defender in a fierce league. She will be patrolling the backrow for the Puyallup Juniors 15 Nationals team, another solid squad for PJVBC. Pirillis is gearing up to take her shot at the full time libero spot next year for the Vikings, the 2024 club season is an important step in that direction.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65acaaa811db3"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["499386"],"_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":"A super quick freshman from Kamiakin, Beck suits up for Shockwave 16, playing up an age level. She took on a back row DS position during the season for the Braves, carving out a role on a team heavily stocked with seniors. Beck has a sound platform, serves tough and played with emotion down the stretch during the high school season. Shockwave will be relying on her as a passer and defender as they have two solid setters and a talented group of front line attackers on the team.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65af157916413"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">FOUR MORE TO WATCH!</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='498771' first='Grace' last='Okamoto'] </strong>Okamoto teamed with her sister Beth in the back row for ACH this season, and helped propel the Warriors into the state tournament. She captured first-team All-State honors and the team pushed eventual champs Oaksdale to the limit in a 3-2 loss in the state semi-finals. Okamoto is built low to the ground and gets excellent reads on attackers and servers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='485674' first='Jovie' last='Lind'].</strong> Lind was in attendance at the Washington Top 250 Expo and she impressed with her foot speed and willingness to amke a play on the ball anywhere on or off the court. Timberline has a young group of exciting players coming through the program, Lind should be a part of a competitive group for the Blazers over the next few seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='499413' first='Kallie' last='Smith'].</strong> Smith was handling serve receive as a first year player for Burlington-Edison all year, and she served at 92% clip to go along with her active defense. She played at her best against one of the better teams in the league, Lynden. In two match- ups she recorded 19 and 18 digs to go along with her nearly quality receptions in serve receive. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='478313' first='Marcy' last='Mossburg'].</strong> Working hard for the Glacier Peak JV team during the school season, Mossburg will suit up for Space Needle Volleyball Foundation for the 2024 club circuit. She has good instincts covering tips and reading hitters, Mossburg has the "younger sister, coaches kid" feel for the game- a great combo! She will be making an impact for the SNVF 15 Splash as they play a tough travel schedule. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->