Five Top Liberos From Three Different Classes

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These are my top five liberos from the class of 2025, 2026 and 2027. Liberos are sometimes forgotten as you marvel at the exploits of the pin or middle hitters. Unless your offense runs efficiently at hitting out of system sets liberos become critical when you want to establish an offense. Below are 15 liberos who create the spikes we love to see occur in a game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top five liberos in the class of 2026 differs a bit from the article I wrote here <a href="https://prepdig.com/2024/03/top-ten-liberos-for-the-class-of-2026/">Top Ten Liberos for the Class of 2026 | Prep Dig</a>. This article lists the top five based on order of ranking while the linked article named the top liberos prior to the updated rankings. Three of the five liberos remain the same.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class of 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["196556"],"_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":"Truth be told I have yet to see her play libero.  For Hidden Valley she hits left side and finished number 2 in the state of Virginia in kills with 649, according to Maxpreps.  Hidden Valley won the Class 3 state playoffs as a result of her offensive contribution.  For club season she commutes to North Carolina to play for Academy.  They play a more competitive schedule than the Roanoke clubs, competing in Triple Crown and a number of Qualifiers.  There she plays libero.  I have seen her play back row as a six rotation outside and she certainly has no problem passing and playing defense.  Caleigh has committed to Kansas State.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6643e237aa6e9"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='235291' first='Sadee' last='Gedse'] (Oakton/[program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']) - Not only can Sadee pass and play defense with the top liberos in the country. She also brings a quirky personality that keeps players loose when they play critical matches. She plays libero for Oakton High. Her libero play led the team to a first place finish in the Concorde Division. Her play got her voted Concord District Libero of the year. For club she plays for [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''], which has qualified for the American Division in Junior Nationals. Sadee plays a flashy game, covering a lot of ground at the libero position so it surprises me that she has yet to commit. From what I have learned liberos tend to be the last to be looked at once college coaches find their offensive players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["180302"],"_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":"Emma did not get a chance to play libero this year.  [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] used her as a setter.  She must have done an adequate job at the position since [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] finished as the number two rated 17 team in the Chesapeake Region.  They also finished in the top 100 (82) nation wide.  They only played in one qualifier, earning a bid to Nationals in the USA Division after a fifth place finish.  Unfortunately, they turned the bid down.  Emma has committed to North Alabama to play beach.  Her libero days may be limited.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6643e237aa74f"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["184604"],"_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":"At 5'7u0022 Nia has a longer frame than many liberos.  This allows her to play shallower as a libero and still dig the deep balls with her strong hands.  She got the opportunity to play for the Virginia Juniors 18 team at the Junior Nationals in Baltimore.  Nia will get another opportunity to play in the Junior Nationals at the Freedom Division in Las Vegas with the 17 team.  Nia also plays libero for a competitive Bullis High School team.  They will compete next year with Flint Hill and Georgetown Day for the Independent School League (ISL) conference title.  Nia is an athletic player at this position.  It would not surprise me if she was also a pretty good hitter in the front row.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6643e237aa7a6"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["235749"],"_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":"Love her intensity and intelligence on the court.  Kareena is always looking for that extra edge to get a point, whether that is improving her serve to make it travel with greater velocity across the net or finding better reads on the defensive side to prevent the ball from hitting the floor.  In 2022 at the Junior Nationals she earned a spot on the All Tournament team in the Freedom Division.  Unfortunately, MVSA did not qualify for the Junior Nationals this year.  Fast and quick on defense she can be a difference maker on the court.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6643e237aa7f8"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class of 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["181280"],"_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":"Just like [player_tooltip player_id='196556' first='Caleigh' last='Ponn'] for Hidden Valley Brenna plays left side for her high school team James Wood.  Her frosh season she finished second on the team in kills.  Last year she may have repeated her second place finish but she started the season as a libero, moving to left side in the middle of the season.  In both her frosh and sophomore year her high school team won the state championship.  For [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] she plays libero.  [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] finished as the second rated Chesapeake Region team according to AES and finished in the Top 100 nationally (44).  In the only Qualifier (Northeast) [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge'] participated in they finished second in the USA Division to earn a bid.  Unfortunately, just like the 17 team they had to turn it down.  Another player who plays with intensity on the court.  While an avid beach player she does have interest in playing libero for a college team.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6643e237aa85c"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["238358"],"_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":"Her older sister acts as a third setter at Maryland.  Evie chose to go the libero route for her volleyball play.  For her frosh and sophomore seasons Evie has started at libero for Flint Hill and helped them win two state championships in the private school division.  She also plays up for the Metro 17 team which has qualified to play in the National Division at the Junior Nationals in Las Vegas.  No matter the chaos that may seem to surround her on the court Evie always seems to keep a calm demeanor.  Perhaps that could explain why the teams she plays libero for seem to consistently play for championships.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6643e237aa8ae"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["325602"],"_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":"Last year when she played for Liberty Elite she played libero and hit left side.  Injuries to the pin hitters forced the move to the left side position.  She plays for a strong Hedgesville high school team in West Virginia that could surprise teams with a state championship run next season.  Last year they lost in five in the semi-finals to Musselman.  A hard worker, she likes to stand on the other side of the net during warmups and dig her teammates hits without a block.  She normally plays defensive specialist for [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''], who will be playing in the National Division at Junior Nationals in Las Vegas.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6643e237aa8fd"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["218149"],"_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":"Giselle does not get many opportunities to play the libero position for Metro.  [player_tooltip player_id='265167' first='Laila' last='Chadwick'] from the class of 2027 normally fills that role.  Her ace serve in the Northeast Qualifier was the clinching point that earned Metro an Open spot in the Junior Nationals in Las Vegas.  When on the court very few players can match her hustle.  When off the court she serves as an emotional leader.  Her frosh year she started at libero for her Millbrook High team.  Last year she took her high school season off to focus on getting in the gym to improve her game.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6643e237aa94a"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='412055' first='Lilly' last='Kennedy'] (National Cathedral/[program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last='']) - Lilly took one of the biggest jumps in our class of 2026 rankings, climbing from 106 to 29. She earned the libero position playing for [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] 15 and kept the starting spot for the 16 team. [program_tooltip program_id='476729' first='Paramount' last=''] will play in the National Division at the Junior Nationals in Las Vegas. In her younger years Lilly played outside but her 5'5" height forced a move to libero. She does still play a little outside for her high school team. Lilly brings an intelligence to know where to play on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class of 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["265167"],"_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":"Laila is the top left side hitter for Madison.  She hits the ball hard.  She reminds me a lot of [player_tooltip player_id='196556' first='Caleigh' last='Ponn'], [player_tooltip player_id='181280' first='Brenna' last='Corbin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='180300' first='Mailinh' last='Godschall'], three liberos that play left side for their high school and have led their teams to state championships.  Laila has yet to win that coveted state championship but the potential exists.  They beat the state champion Langley three times during the season and next year bring back some talented players.  For Metro she plays libero for the 16 team.  There are too many pins on that team 6'2u0022 or greater for her to make it as a hitter.  Metro 16 has qualified for the Open Division in Junior Nationals.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6643e237aa98f"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["438049"],"_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":"Her frosh year she played defensive specialist for Richard Montgomery.  Richard Montgomery won the Maryland Class 4 state championship.  She scores a lot of points with her jump serve, which darts and dances with the best of serves.  Her sister stands 6'0u0022 and hits right side and sets for the Rockets.  Ana has grown two inches since her frosh season soaring to 5'7u0022.  She may not catch up with her sister's height, but she is getting close.  Next year Ana should fill the libero role for the Rockets.  Ana plays libero for MVSA.  They will be playing in the National Division in the Junior Nationals in Las Vegas.  A little growth for Ana at the libero position gives her more coverage on the deep balls.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6643e237aa9d2"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Katherine Maddon (Millbrook/[program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge']) -Katherine took over the libero position for Millbrook after [player_tooltip player_id='218149' first='Giselle' last='Norris'] took the year off. Having both of them playing back row next year could give them a strength to help them overtake James Woods. Katherine earned second team honors on the All Region 4d team, a nice accomplishment for a frosh. She also played libero for [program_tooltip program_id='494409' first='Blue' last='Ridge']. They ranked as the third best team in the Region in the 15U age group and slipped into the top 100 nationally at 70. At 5'4" she is a smaller libero but has the quickness to cover a lot of real estate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["472384"],"_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":"Kate played libero for Holy Cross in the WCAC championship game against Bishop O'Connell.  Talk about pressure.  The previous season the Knights won the championship when Holy Cross struggled with their passing, which prevented them from getting the ball to [player_tooltip player_id='180288' first='Emerson' last='Sellman'].  With Kate at the libero position that did not happen last year.  They ended their two year drought with a WCAC championship.  Virginia Juniors earned a USA bid in the Junior Nationals in Las Vegas.  Juniors received a top ranking for the Chesapeake Region and number 39 nationally.  Kate and u003cstrongu003eCamryn Coulther u003c/strongu003e(our number 6 ranked libero in the class of 2027) cover the back row.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6643e237aaa15"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='530368' first='Sadie' last='Barrera'] (Forest Park/American) - Sadie is a new addition to our class of 2027. She brings an attitude to the court that impressed me. Lots of hustle and confidence in her game. She also brings setter hands to the court. At 5'3" she can stand low to the floor and dig those hard driven balls. American fell just short of qualifying for Junior Nationals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->