Libero Breakdown For 2026 Rankings Update

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We updated our&nbsp;<a href="https://prepdig.com/michigan/rankings/2026-rankings/">2026 Player Rankings</a>&nbsp;this week, a class full of players with a lot of potential to succeed at the college level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The latest rankings were comprised by the Prep Dig Rankings Team. Here's a breakdown of the liberos and defensive specialists in the class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2026","_class":"field_65cfb7374abb9","position":"32926","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","national_rankings":"0","_national_rankings":"field_660c1d73c0e49","state":"19892","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6621806f27d32"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Current Top 5</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The current top-5 for liberos in this class know how to get the job done in the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. [player_tooltip player_id='226908' first='Meredith' last='Martin']: </strong>A libero in club that can play the outside as well, Martin's quickness and sense for the ball are hard to match. She reads the floor very well and has very active eyes. She can really do it all as a libero, including a dynamite serve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. [player_tooltip player_id='226910' first='Kayla' last='Ostrander']: </strong>An absolute dig machine, Ostrander had over 660 this past fall for Eisenhower. Her reaction time is lighting quick, allowing her to make some tough digs that not many others can. She also keeps herself low to the ground to be ready for any ball that comes her way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. [player_tooltip player_id='237538' first='Annalise' last='Clark']: </strong>Clark has had a big defensive role with Lowell through two seasons, approaching 800 digs for her prep career. Clark has smooth technique and can adjust her arm angles to get clean feeds to her setter. She looks very in control on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. [player_tooltip player_id='446694' first='Amelia' last='Gagnon']: </strong>An outside/DS option, Gagnon uses her athleticism to cover a lot of ground in the back row. She's improving a lot as a hitter, so her future may not be as a DS for long. She's quickly turning into a reliable six-rotation outside that can be a big defensive asset to compliment her hitting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. [player_tooltip player_id='462081' first='Jadyn' last='Samson']: </strong>Samson has been a dominant defender in Division 4 and is excelling at the club level with a quick first step and great first contact. She shows a lot of veteran skills despite being a sophomore, and is confident in her ability to make a tough dig.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Others to keep an eye on</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='240701' first='Giselle' last='Burlingame']: </strong>Burlingame is set for a big year as she is going to get her opportunity to shine at Northville next fall. She fits in well with the great defenders that came before her. She's technically sound, competitive and brings a great serve to the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='216201' first='Cara' last='Wolf']: </strong>Wolf is one of the defensive gems in the Grand Rapids area. She seems to be all over the back row, especially during pressure points. She's very supportive behind her hitters and can improvise plays with the best of them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='226937' first='Mallory' last='Stoy']: </strong>Coming from another prep program with a history of developing elite defenders, Novi, Stoy shows a lot of promise. She's got great form and stays very active in the play. As she continues to improve on her quickness and footwork, she's going to be a real difference-maker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261147' first='Emma' last='Flick']: </strong>Flick has a lot of competitive fire, but she manages that intensity well during the play. At 5'2”, she does a good job of making herself big on the floor and taking up space to get underneath tough attacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490029' first='Amina' last='Baszile']: </strong>Another hitter/DS option, Baszile has impressive hang time off the floor, and her swing speed creates problems for defenders. Her quickness and ability to cover ground allows her to make some challenging digs. As she polishes up her form, Baszile could be someone that climbs the ladder in these rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->