2027 Liberos go all out at PNQ!

<!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p>These high-caliber defenders caught our eye at the Pacific Northwest Qualifier in Spokane.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p>Setting the tone for their teams defensively, this energetic and enthusiastic group picked up any ball they could get to and stood in against crushing swings and scorching serves. There was no doubting their hustle, grit, and heart this weekend. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["727447"],"_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-67de1afb34471"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Walker is playing well for Space Needle 16 Blitz. She was quick to pick up tips and pushes in the team's match against SF Tremors. Tremors tried to test her on short serves, and Walker easily recognized and handled the attempts. Like many quality club teams, SNVF uses dual liberos, with [player_tooltip player_id='708645' first='Audrey' last='Iseminger'] rotating with Walker. The Monroe defender showed the ability to get low and push through hard to dig up swings, and helped her team to a 6-2 record on the weekend. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["580819"],"_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-67de1afb344d3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lorenzen played terrific defense for Excel NW. She has fast hands and reactions, keeps herself in a ready position, and is never surprised when a hard shot or ricochet comes at her. The 2027 libero is really nice playing the ball overhand; her setter training shows when she steps in and plays a ball with her hands. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/25613095/67d122f5061bba8bed4dc799' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67e4d74b914da"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["499495"],"_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-67de1afb34520"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The West Valley Yakima sophomore is an outstanding multi-sport athlete. This winter, she scored 31 points in a Rams basketball game. On the volleyball court at PNQ, she communicated at a high level, and her talk and encouragement kept CRU 16 energized. Against Club V 16 Red, Strong planted her feet and handled big-time swings, served a diving jump float, and passed to both pins accurately from her platform. She was camped in all the right spots when Club V attackers showed tip early, helping CRU score in transition. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["446664"],"_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-67de1afb34568"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gao and her Sudden Impact Thunder team finished 2-5 overall in the challenging Open Division, battling hard in a loaded day two pool after a 2-1 record on day one. The Lakeside sophomore was playing in a dual libero lineup with [player_tooltip player_id='450287' first='Kenzie' last='Bentosino'] versus RVC 16 Allen, and her on-point passing in serve receive helped Sudden Impact chalk up a solid 2-0 win. Gao has a positive word for her teammates whenever she is on the floor and is always willing to get on the ground and dig out a dig or cover for her squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["501788"],"_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-67de1afb345b0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You have to love it when a libero checks in with #96 on their jersey—Matthiesen may have the highest number I have seen on a lib shirt yet. She was locked in against RVC 16 -2. The 2027 from PJVBC 16 Elite is happy to throw herself around to run down a ball, and her precise serving helped fuel an early Puyallup run in the match. Matthiesen played with good balance, staying low and ready, anticipating a tip or deflection off the block. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["763389"],"_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-67de465780480"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hardesty is a brand-new addition to the 2027 Rankings. Before rankings updates, players are added to the Watch List, and Hardesty is a sure-fire addition to the Libero rankings when they come out next. The Ridgline sophomore passed off the charts in serve receive all tournament, she has uncanny recognition of the ball out of the server's hand, and will make minor adjustments late to nail the first contact. Hardesty is not overly flashy at the libero spot, primarily due to being in the correct position and making the right reads. Her calm demeanor and mature approach help keep her team even-keeled when a match is on the line. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SALT LAKE CITY SHOWDOWN SHOWCASE WEEKEND 1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Are you headed to Salt Lake for the April 5th—7th Qualifier? We always have a great group of Pacific Northwest teams at the Showdown, and I will be covering the Showcase for Washington players. Michael DeLeon is the Event Director- Mike is an experienced hand from Prep Dig Texas and California. He is a fun, encouraging leader, and his events are always fast-paced and competitive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Showcase information and registration are available here: https://events.prepdig.com/e/1454/register/salt-lake-city-showdown-showcase-weekend-1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are some of the PNW players already on the list:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='571372' first='Violet' last='Dougherty'] 2028 5'10" Juanita<br>Addison Loosli 2026 5'7" Skyline<br>Madeleine Glynn 2028 5'8" West Linn<br>[player_tooltip player_id='760422' first='Jasmine' last='Geck'] 2027 5'10" Union<br>[player_tooltip player_id='531755' first='Kjersti' last='Jacobson'] 2026 5'10" Ferris<br>[player_tooltip player_id='760695' first='Kendall' last='Olsen'] 2027 5'7" Cheney<br>Heidi Presthofer 2028 5'6" Jesuit<br>[player_tooltip player_id='739971' first='Kindell' last='Day'] 2027 5'8" Lakeland<br>[player_tooltip player_id='748115' first='Chiara' last='Cooper'] 2027 5'10" Columbia River<br>[player_tooltip player_id='748319' first='Ella' last='Bennett'] 2028 5'9" Skyview<br>[player_tooltip player_id='748918' first='Ariana' last='Decker'] 2028 5'6" Camas<br>[player_tooltip player_id='720857' first='Ella' last='Wallen'] 2027 5'4" Skyview<br>Emilie LaSala 2028 5'11" Cathedral Catholic<br>[player_tooltip player_id='750289' first='Aimee' last='England'] 2028 5'1" La Center<br>Sawyer Hanley 2028 5'9" South Eugene<br>[player_tooltip player_id='755081' first='Leah' last='Rauch'] 2027 5'5" Skyview<br>Acacia Taylor 2027 6'0" Rigby<br>[player_tooltip player_id='755525' first='Kiley' last='Harris'] 2027 5'8" West Valley<br>[player_tooltip player_id='753412' first='Keira' last='Trask'] 2028 5'9" Glacier Peak<br>[player_tooltip player_id='534518' first='Alyssa' last='Box'] 2028 5'7" Glacier Peak<br>[player_tooltip player_id='534519' first='Sarah' last='Box'] 2028 5'8" Glacier Peak</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->