Class of 2026 Rankings: Five Underrated DS/Liberos

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This group consists of some playing what some coaches call the hardest position on the court in the libero. However, solid defense goes a long way in the sport so the additional defensive specialists have just as important of a role. These five try to play the spot well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["479282"],"_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-67d3af63acdc7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Oswald may get overshadowed a bit in the loaded 7th Region, but make no mistake. She's a sound prospect. Oswald goes against tough hitters in both practice and games on a regular basis and her experience shows on the court. Oswald handles both hard and soft hits to get the tough CAL offense in motion. She does slide when necessary. Oswald had 438 digs to lead the Centurions to a 32-5 record, a 2A state championship and appearance in the 7th Region Tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["604595"],"_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-67d3af63ace1d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grigsby (pictured) has turned into a sound player on both offense and defense for her club and high school teams. She produces at all six spots on the court. Her shoves to the corners throw defenders off. Grigsby stays up in good position defensively a majority of the time, but does lay out for big digs when needed. Grigsby dug up tough hitters all season. Grigsby had 392 digs, 169 kills and a team-high 81 aces helping Scott go 31-12 overall, win the 37th District crown, 10th Region crown and drive to the state semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["663275"],"_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-67d3af63ace62"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cowing is always moving her feet trying to line her arms up with balls and make quality two to three-point passes. Cowing covers a lot of ground and only slides when necessary. Cowing makes good out of system passes. Cowing had a team-high 246 digs for Frederick Douglass, helping the Broncos go 27-7, win the 42nd District title and drive to the 11th Region semifinals this past fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["479265"],"_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-67d3af63acea6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rogers transferred in before the season and made a huge impact for the Rams. Rogers consistently makes sound passes for Raceland to set up the offense. Rogers provides good net coverage constantly trailing plays. Rogers had 452 digs last fall, helping the Rams go 24-13, win the 63rd District crown and drive to the 16th Region championship game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["212353"],"_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-67d3af63aceea"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Patton keeps plays alive with her feet then popping balls in the air. She reacts quick to opponents. Her passing can use improvement to get more hitters involved. Patton led West Carter with 253 digs, helping lead the Comets to the 16th Region Tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Note from the Writer</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mike Graham has been writing for Prep Dig for one year and has enjoyed getting to know the volleyball scenes in both Kentucky and Ohio. If you liked the story, please copy and paste to X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. You may also follow us at @prepdigkentucky or @prepdigoh on Instagram in addition to @PrepDigKy or @PrepDigOH on X. If you feel someone in Kentucky or Ohio needs coverage, please email Mike at pnmikeg@yahoo.com. You may also follow him on X @GMCgrah or Instagram @g.michaelgraham. Subscriptions give you access to exclusive content. For a 30% discount, enter code graham30 at checkout.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->