Mastering the Backcourt: Libero Looks at the Top 250 Expo

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Talent was spread out all over the gym in Rockville, Maryland Saturday morning for the DMVPrep Dig 250 Expo Event. Among that talent was some quick and stealthy liberos and defensive specialists. Let's take a look at these ball control bosses:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5 '4 " Class of 2027 Megan Sanjaasuren was quick and had a great platform to target. Her overall ball control was on display all morning. She reads well, and is able to get under the ball no matter the type of hit or shot. Sanjaasuren also uses her hands well out of system and is definitely not afraid to hit the deck to make a play.&nbsp; Sanjaasuren played for Lake Braddock this past fall and will play for LVA 16-1. Keep tabs on this rising sophomore!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='472384' first='Kate' last='Bickel'] was also quick on the floor as well. The 5'7” sophomore had a steady platform and was money on serve receive during the wash drills and serve receive drills Saturday. Bickel also had great hands in out of system balls and was not afraid to dig high balls with her hands as well to keep rallies alive. This past fall for Academy of the Holy Cross, Bickel had 194 digs and 44 ace serves and only 11 errors out of 304 serve receive attempts. Really like her even keel persona on the floor and great hustle. Bickel will play club for Virginia Juniors this season.&nbsp; Keep her on your radar!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='558212' first='Violet' last='Zimmitti'] was locked in and focused in serve receive and defensive drills. The 5'4” defender had a great platform in serve receive drills. She opened up in seams to help other passers and talked well on the floor. Zimmitti also reads other hitters well and can pick up lots of tips and hits. Not only does she read well on defense, but could also read the ball off the serve to allow her side to side out. She will play for [program_tooltip program_id='484770' first='VA' last='Juniors'] 15 this club season. Take note of this defender!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5'4” Potomac Falls sophomore Ela Yilmaz reads opposing hitters well and hustles all over the floor. She too, had strong serve receive. Yilmaz has a great driving serve that can allow her team to get on a run! She will play for [program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='<strong>Loudoun</strong>' last='Elite'] U16 for the club season. Keep her on your radar for her great hustle and ability to read hitters!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Strong serve receive and setting good out of system balls to the pins is exactly what Class of 2027 Libero [player_tooltip player_id='541351' first='Charity' last='Morris'] displayed on Saturday.&nbsp; She was a pillar of those skills on her court and will play for NVVA, Defensive Specialist [player_tooltip player_id='587033' first='Lily' last='Atangan'], only a freshman had a great short serve to keep teams out of system. Atangan was also very scrappy on defense and could pick up a lot of balls on the floor. She will play for [program_tooltip program_id='477082' first='American' last='Volleyball Club'] this season. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='731631' first='Zalikah' last='Pabalan'] from North Hagerstown High School and plays club for Revolution Chambersburg is a smart athlete on the floor. She also has great hands when setting out of system. She talks well and is strong on serve receive.&nbsp; The ceiling is high for this freshman!&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That was a quick snippet of liberos that initially stood out on Saturday during drills and wash games. Keep an eye out for these smart and quick defensive dandies!&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->