Freshman Liberos to Watch Before the High School Season Kicks Off

The PrepDig NorCal Showcase in Ripon, California, brought together a fierce lineup of incoming freshman Liberos who wasted no time making their presence known. Determined to level up, these athletes embraced every rep with purpose, refining their craft, competing hard, and showing exactly why they're ones to watch this upcoming high school season. With sharp passing, relentless pursuit on defense, and the kind of communication that anchors a team, they played with the maturity and fire of seasoned vets.   Off the court, I caught up with several of them to hear about their goals, their growth mindset, and what they want college coaches to understand about who they are and where they're headed.   Here are some rising Liberos who are just beginning their journey, and already turning heads.    [player_tooltip player_id='776024' first='Kynlie' last='Larson'] is a libero headed to Oak Ridge High School this fall, and she already plays with the kind of passion and court awareness coaches look for in a backcourt leader. For Kynlie, the best part of volleyball is the people and the strong sense of community that comes with the game. She thrives on defense and especially loves the challenge of reading hitters and digging tough attacks.   Her current focus is building more consistency in serve receive, a skill she knows is essential to anchoring her team's first contact. One of her favorite volleyball memories came in a high-pressure moment with the score at 14-13 in the third set. Kynlie stepped back to serve, delivered an ace, and was immediately surrounded by her teammates in celebration, a moment that stuck with her for all the right reasons.   Volleyball runs in the family, with both her parents and sibling playing, and it's clear the game is in her blood. Off the court, she enjoys spending time with friends and relaxing. As she enters high school, Kynlie's goals are to make the JV or Varsity team, maintain strong grades, and be a supportive teammate every step of the way. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='780182' first='Brooklyn' last='Miehm'] is a libero headed to Mountain View High School who brings leadership, resilience, and a love for the grind to every rep. For Brooklyn, volleyball has shaped her far beyond the court. It's taught her how to push herself, be a better teammate, and stay competitive while embracing personal growth. She's learned the value of hard work, how to bounce back from tough losses, and how to move forward from mistakes...lessons that continue to impact her life in meaningful ways.   This year, Brooklyn has poured her energy into becoming a stronger defender. She's developed an aggressive mindset, sharpened her court awareness, and become a vocal leader in team defense. Reading hitters and covering as much ground as possible has become her focus, and she takes pride in how far her backcourt game has come. Right now, she's working on serve receive, especially tracking float serves, improving footwork in specific situations, and using her hands more effectively on deeper balls.   One of Brooklyn's favorite memories was playing in the Open division in Spokane. Her team was down players due to illness and injury, but instead of folding, they rose to the challenge. Seeing her teammates step up and discover the potential she always believed they had was a proud and unforgettable moment.   Outside of volleyball, Brooklyn has a unique background, she used to ski, ride horses, and even compete in Rubik's Cube competitions. With a full schedule balancing school and volleyball, she doesn't get a lot of downtime, but when she does, she enjoys being with family and friends. Her goals for freshman year are clear: manage her time well to maintain strong grades and earn a spot on the varsity team. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='777414' first='Alexis' last='Lee'], “Lexie”, is a Libero and DS headed to University High School who plays with speed, energy, and a clear love for the game. What Lexie enjoys most about volleyball is the fast pace and nonstop action. She thrives in the chaos, tracking down tough balls, making quick reads, and working with her teammates to keep the play alive. The energy on the court fuels her, and she takes pride in the moments when her hustle makes a difference.   Defense is her strongest skill, and it shows. She's quick to the floor, aggressive on every touch, and leads by example to keep her team fired up. Right now, she's focused on sharpening her consistency in serve receive to give her team stronger first contacts and more offensive opportunities.   One of Lexie's favorite memories came during her 13U season, when her team made a huge comeback at Regionals. They battled their way into a top finish and earned a bid to Nationals, proving that hard work and grit really do pay off.   Off the court, Lexie brings just as much personality. She sings, acts, plays the flute, and enjoys being involved in music and drama as a creative outlet. She also helps her mom run their new Sportshouse, which she loves because it keeps her surrounded by other athletes who share her passion for volleyball.   As she steps into high school, Lexie's goals are to elevate her defensive game, grow into a strong leader for her team, and stay organized while balancing school and sports. She's also looking forward to joining clubs or activities that push her to grow outside of volleyball. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='777178' first='Madelyn' last='Ngim'] is a Libero and DS headed to Lodi High School who brings heart, humility, and a team-first mindset to every court she steps on. For Madelyn, one of the best parts of volleyball is the friendships it creates whether her teammates are her age or not, she values the connections that come with the game.   Her greatest strength on the court is her support for others. She finds genuine joy in watching her teammates succeed and makes it a point to be their biggest encourager. Right now, she's focused on building more confidence in serve receive and continuing to grow in that area so she can be even more reliable in pressure situations.   One of Madelyn's favorite memories was traveling to the Las Vegas Showcase with her team. After a morning wave on Day 1, they explored the Strip, visited the mall, tried Swedish candy, and capped the night with Taco Bell Baja Blasts. On Day 2, the team came alive in their final match, bringing high energy and strong play across the board, a moment that stands out as her favorite so far.   Madelyn brings early high-level experience to the table. She competed on an 18s national team when she was just 11 turning 12, a testament to her commitment and potential. Off the court, she enjoys quality time with family and friends, going to the gym, and experimenting with new hairstyles, either on herself or her teammates.   Heading into freshman year, Madelyn's goals are to strengthen her serve receive and become someone her teammates can count on in high-pressure moments. Off the court, she's focused on staying on top of her academics and continuing to grow in every area of life. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='777356' first='Maddy' last='Brandt'] is a Libero and DS headed to Monte Vista High School who plays with heart, hustle, and a deep love for competition. For Maddy, volleyball is about more than just the game, it's about the connections, the friendships, and the drive to push herself in a team environment.   Her best skill is defense, and it shows in the way she throws herself into every rally. She loves the hustle, the challenge, and the satisfaction of keeping the ball off the floor. Right now, she's focused on improving her confidence and inner monologue, knowing that mindset can be just as important as mechanics.   One of her favorite memories came during a pivotal crossover match at a qualifier with her 14s team. It was a big win, and the energy and teamwork it took to pull it off made it unforgettable.   Maddy has a calm and grounded pregame routine, she always takes a moment to pray and fuels up with her go-to meal, oatmeal. Off the court, she loves spending time with her friends, family, and her dog, and she enjoys baking sweets to share with the people she loves.   Her goals for freshman year are straightforward and full of purpose: work as hard as she can in the gym and in the classroom to be her best on and off the court. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='782658' first='Mia' last='Haggerty'] is a Libero and DS headed to St. Mary's High School who brings intensity, athleticism, and a team-first attitude to every match. What she loves most about volleyball is the fast pace, the strategy, and the nonstop action that comes with every rally. Whether it's diving for a save or jumping high to make a play, she thrives in high-energy moments and values how the game builds teamwork and communication.   Her best skills are digging tough balls, making aggressive saves, and being a vocal presence on the court. She's constantly pushing herself to communicate clearly and stay connected with her teammates. Right now, her focus is on improving consistency in serve receive to help set the tone on first contact.   A moment that stands out in her volleyball journey was finding out her team earned a bid to Nationals. The entire team jumped up in celebration, and it's a memory Mia won't forget.   Mia's experience growing up with five siblings has shaped her approach to team sports. It's taught her patience, perspective, and how to work through tough moments with grace. Off the court, she loves going to the beach or pool, spending time with friends, shopping, and working out.   As she enters high school, Mia's goals are to grow as a player and teammate while keeping a strong and positive mindset. Off the court, she's aiming to maintain a 4.0 GPA and lead with kindness in everything she does. She's focused on becoming a well-rounded student-athlete who contributes in every way possible. ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247    <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">If you enjoyed this article, please help us keep the momentum going!</h3>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-full"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/04/image_b3bd7c.png" alt="" class="wp-image-770392" /></figure>     ✨ Help a player get discovered — share this article using the share buttons and tag us on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigca/?hl=en">PrepDigCa</a>!   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prepdig.com/subscribe/"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/04/image_ff10cb.png" alt="" class="wp-image-770394" style="width:98px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   🚀 <a href="https://prepdig.com/my-account/subscriptions/">Upgrade to a PrepDig+ Subscription</a> — exclusive rankings, in-depth analysis, and access to the full <a href="https://prepdig.com/prospect-index/">prospect index</a>.     <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   July marks a key transition: club tryouts are here, and high school season is just around the corner. It's the perfect time to read more articles, build confidence, and support prospects by sharing this article.   To our incredible subscribers — thank you for being such an essential part of this journey. Together, we're growing the game, one rep, one article, and one athlete at a time.   This movement is powered by the village — athletes, coaches, families, and the community that believes in what's possible.   Thank you for making today's wins matter — one article, one player, one memory at a time.   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247</h4>

The PrepDig NorCal Showcase in Ripon, California, brought together a fierce lineup of incoming freshman Liberos who wasted no time making their presence known. Determined to level up, these athletes embraced every rep with purpose, refining their craft, competing hard, and showing exactly why they're ones to watch this upcoming high school season. With sharp passing, relentless pursuit on defense, and the kind of communication that anchors a team, they played with the maturity and fire of seasoned vets.