Liberos Rising Nebraska’s Digs Leaderboard in Early-Season Action

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Backcourt leaders are already emerging in Nebraska's 2024 fall season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We can all appreciate the frequently unheralded role of a libero. These back-row specialists often impact matches in ways that can't be reflected in a box score. However, we do have one effective way of measuring a libero's production in a given match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nebraska's digs leaderboard is often occupied by some of the best defenders from across the Cornhusker State. Several defenders have turned heads with big-time numbers through the first week of the season. This feature is designed for them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's see which names are popping up near the top of Nebraska's early-season digs chart.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["495060"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66db93cc392aa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lincoln-area liberos are generating monster numbers already. Reiling has retained her leadership role with Lincoln Pius X after racking up 4.4 digs per set for last year's Class A quarterfinalist. The Thunderbolts are now in Class B, but their libero's production has only risen. Reiling has begun her senior campaign with a staggering seven digs per set, keynoted by three 20-plus-dig matches. More highlight moments are on deck for the seasoned veteran.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["516706"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66db65b28eab6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We're staying in Lincoln for this one. McEwen started her prep career at Lincoln Christian and is now making an immediate impact with Lincoln East. The seasoned defender is averaging 3.8 digs per set and fills the big shoes of current Pittsburgh freshman Mallorie Meyer. Lincoln East's scrappy defense and pinpoint passing have made it a resurgent Class A school over the past couple of years. McEwen should keep that trend going.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["269961"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66db93cc39335"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Seward libero is getting back to business. Covalt's 5.8 digs per set this year is impressive, but the Bluejay senior is also eclipsing big career marks. She just surpassed 1,000 career digs after seizing Seward's contrasting jersey as a sophomore. That individual success has translated to team breakthroughs, including last year's appearance in the Class B quarterfinals. Covalt is ready to embrace another fall grind against some of Nebraska's best attackers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["395099"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66db93cc39376"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We've mentioned how many seniors departed from last year's championship-winning Overton squad. The 2024 class left a lot to replace, but Svarvari was one of the few players who still had unfinished business. Her numbers have skyrocketed in 2024 with nearly four digs per set through Overton's first few matches. The Eagles didn't even field a libero for most of 2023, but Svarvari has her shot in the spotlight now. This is an encouraging start.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["349420"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66db65b28eb6a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Here's another Class of 2026 athlete gaining momentum after this year's club season. Brandt was a game-altering defender for Nebraska Elite in the spring and has resumed her major role with Fremont. The Tigers have rolled to a 6-0 start and have received 4.8 digs per set from their star libero. Brandt's recent gains are a reminder that the Class of 2026 is still developing and finding its form this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["521256"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66db93cc393cc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We started the 2024 season with an in-person look at Quinn's defensive prowess. She locked down the Waverly backcourt for the team's season opener against Lincoln Lutheran, and we won't soon forget that thrilling contest. Quinn tallied 20 digs in the five-set win and raised the bar even further a week later. Her 30-dig triumph against Gretna East was another exciting outing that has placed Quinn among Nebraska's top 2027s.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["567542"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66db93cc39404"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bring on the freshmen. Gretna High School has been an early focus for our Class of 2028 coverage, and Nowling adds another layer in the back row. She has averaged nearly three digs per set in her first several matches of prep action. The Dragons are transitioning to the Class B ranks this year and have a lot of new faces to accompany this move. Nowling's hot start could be a positive indicator for an upcoming Gretna resurgence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Eva Gutz","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'5u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Lincoln East","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66db93cc394bd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lincoln East has plenty of defensive talent to distribute across the back row. We've discussed McEwen's veteran leadership in the back row, but Gutz is bringing a youth movement to the Spartan lineup. Gutz has tallied over two digs per set during her trips across the back row, giving Lincoln East one of the few freshman defenders in Class A. It's the perfect environment to train a fearless libero who can dig heat from anyone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->