Lockdown Liberos from the Great Plains Region Bid Tournament

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's send this conversation into the backcourt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're rolling through some positional spotlights from last weekend's Great Plains Region Bid Tournament. Prior features have covered setters and middle blockers who rose to the occasion in this high-pressure environment. Now, we'll give some credit to the dynamic defenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Your turn, liberos.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["155037"],"_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":"Pokharel knows how to elevate her game when it's needed most. The South Dakota commit had an extraordinary outing at this month's Show Me Qualifier, and she hasn't slowed down toward the end of April. 17 Gold made a long climb to first place behind Pokharel's relentless pursuit and defensive hustle. Even when facing some serious firepower across the net, Pokharel found a way to make improbable saves.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["342522"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Francis was identified as a player to watch before the Bid Tournament, and this Papio defender backed up the hype. She is an unquestioned leader for Premier 17 Red's backcourt lineup and will not hesitate to pick up tips and roll shots. These decisive movements have become a hallmark of Francis' game, and her instincts are on display every time she wears the libero jersey.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["389941"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Konz has made a seamless transition to Premier 16 Black and helped the team to one of its best performances of the 2024 campaign. This libero has seen plenty of high-level action throughout her club career. We're seeing it pay off as 16 Black didn't drop a single set against last weekend's GPR foes. Expectations are sky-high for GJNC.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["389838"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Put some [program_tooltip program_id='429192' first='MVP' last='United'] liberos on your radar. White made a big first impression at the Bid Tournament with her high-energy style and fearless attitude. Her leadership could be seen in serve receive, in transition, or even in the huddles between each point. The Class of 2027 keeps producing hidden gems.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["349483"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"We knew [player_tooltip player_id='349487' first='Alaina' last='Kopf'] would be an impact defender at last weekend's event, but what about 16 Elite's libero depth? Wemhoff was a fixture in last weekend's lineup, particularly as a Zone 6 DS. We've seen her thrive in the libero jersey on past occasions, but Wemhoff's enormous impact can come at any position.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["464932"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Berger's meteoric rise has been something to behold. She had an exceptional sophomore season with Bellevue West as the Thunderbirds made their triumphant state tournament return. We've now seen Berger dominate on the club side with Banzai VBC 16 Select. Her team made a momentous run through the elimination bracket, and steady ball control had a lot to do with it.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["349406"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Neal is quickly becoming one of Nebraska's biggest stock risers in the Class of 2026. She has demonstrated outstanding backcourt skills with Premier 16 Red, especially during late-season action. This is a libero whose time on the GJNC stage could be coming next season.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["396783"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"[program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] is always a club to watch for up-and-coming liberos. Black ran the show for 16 Lime and offered a lot more than stout defense. Out-of-system offense also thrived behind Black's prowess as a secondary setter. This concept of u0022bettering the ballu0022 encompasses Black's ever-improving game, and we can't wait to see her on the prep side this fall.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["446330"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"Here's another one for the [program_tooltip program_id='429192' first='MVP' last='United'] camp. We said that physicality was an important part of 15 Red's GPR title, but don't overlook those who bolstered the defense. Kimbell made her defensive reads look incredibly easy. She is never overwhelmed by an opposing team's pace and is the defensive focal point that 15 Red relies upon. The national spotlight won't be too bright.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_9_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='591604' first='Addison' last='Marsh']","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_9_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_9_player_details_height":"5'7u0022","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_9_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_9_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_9_player_details_club_team":"South Central NE 15 Black","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_9_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_9_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"South Central NE teams usually don't carry a ton of defensive specialists on the roster, but the quality is always there. Marsh donned the contrasting jersey for the GPR Bid Tournament and got better and better as the event progressed. That's reflected in 15 Black's comeback journey to a second-place finish. Solid ball control helped another South Central group clinch a spot on this summer's big stage.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_10_player":["505579"],"_player_evaluations_10_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"Premier 15 Silver has a lot of worthy backcourt options in its arsenal. Carson specializes in middle-back defense but does a lot more than pick up first contacts. Her aggressive serve was an important asset during 15 Silver's series of hotly contested Bid Tourney matches. Premier's 2027 defenders are on the rise.","_player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_11_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_11_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_11_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_11_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_11_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='591564' first='Kyla' last='Jensen']","_player_evaluations_11_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_11_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_11_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_11_player_details_height":"5'6u0022","_player_evaluations_11_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_11_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_11_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_11_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_11_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_11_player_details_club_team":"Banzai VBC 15 Power","_player_evaluations_11_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_11_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_11_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_11_evaluation":"Let's bring another Banzai VBC athlete into the mix. Jensen was a vital contributor to 15 Power's defensive efforts and could lock down any zone along the end line. Her willingness to pass a large section of the court opened up opportunities for 15 Power's offense to thrive. Banzai's libero lineup has emerged as a clear strength after last weekend's event.","_player_evaluations_11_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":12,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-662adfc1c600a"} /-->