Freshman Libero Watchlist: Who’s Ready Now?

At the PrepDig SoCal Freshman Showcase in Rancho Santa Margarita, a standout group of defensive specialists proved that being loud, scrappy, and steady can set the tone for an entire team. These liberos and DS athletes brought more than just clean passing. They brought energy, urgency, and leadership you could hear from across the gym. Their court presence was undeniable, and their voices, both in how they communicated and how they carried themselves, set them apart. While their digging and serve receive stood out, it was the confidence, court IQ, and connection with teammates that truly defined their impact.   These are the back-row leaders you want on your side of the net.    [player_tooltip player_id='780655' first='Hailey' last='Nordlicht'] brings consistency, grit, and a relentless work ethic to the libero position. Known for her defensive effort and strong mentality, she gives every play her full effort, regardless of the distance or difficulty. “You'll never know if you never try,” she said, summing up the approach that defines her game.   Hailey is currently fine-tuning her serve receive angles through private training and focused reps. Even while sidelined with a finger injury, she stayed fully engaged as her team took first place at the Salt Lake City Showdown, a moment she says she'd relive a thousand times. Off the court, Hailey enjoys swimming, rollercoasters, and expressing her creativity through art. Her goal this year is to be the best teammate possible while staying locked in on academics and growth.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='782407' first='Giana' last='Poreider'] is all in. What started as something new quickly became her passion, and now volleyball is woven into every part of her life. “I had no idea I'd fall in love with the game the way I have,” she shared. Giana leads the back row with consistent defense, sharp communication, and a mindset that no ball hits the floor. She's constantly working to improve her ability to read hitters by watching film and adjusting in real time.   Earning a varsity spot as a freshman is a milestone that reflects her work ethic and drive. Her next goal is to earn the starting libero role while maintaining straight A's in honors and AP classes. Whether she's running the court or logging morning miles, Giana is focused, determined, and ready for more.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='727053' first='Kyndal' last='Fickett'] is the kind of libero who brings grit, energy, and a little bit of chaos in the best way. “I love being the goofy person on our team getting everyone fired up and ready to play,” she said. Her signature defensive moves include one-handed scoops and pancakes, skills she's been grinding on for months. Serve receive has been a focus lately, and she's been putting in near-daily work to elevate that part of her game.   Kyndal isn't new to pushing through tough moments. At 12U Nationals, she dislocated her shoulder mid-play, popped it back in, and finished the match. She's also driven by a bigger purpose. Her goal is to become an officer in the Air Force after college, following in the footsteps of her siblings. With heart, hustle, and a drive to serve, Kyndal is just getting started.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='773813' first='Beaux' last='Coffey'] is a back-row spark plug who thrives on communication, connection, and competition. She brings a steady voice and strong presence to the court, helping guide her teammates while staying focused on the play ahead. “The competitiveness and working together as a team is what I love most about volleyball,” she shared.   Her next goal is to become more consistent from the service line and continue leveling up her game to earn a varsity role as a freshman. Off the court, Beaux is a true multi-sport athlete. “I enjoy barrel racing with my horse Chloe and I also play softball,” she added. Whether she's chasing down a tough ball or a national bid, Beaux is all in, and just getting started.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='752281' first='Analiese' last='Lim'] is a steady defender with a growing voice and a relentless mindset. Her ability to dig hard-driven balls makes her a reliable presence in the back row, and she's putting in the work to become more vocal and confident on the court. “I'm working on my communication and talking more on the court,” she shared.   After helping her team earn a 2nd place USA bid at Red Rock Rave, she's now focused on developing grit and growing her mental toughness. Off the court, Analiese keeps a journal to reflect on each tournament, tracking her performance and setting new goals. She's a student of the game with a quiet intensity and a hunger to get better.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='781191' first='Alayna' last='Pasion'] brings energy that's contagious. She's the kind of libero who lifts the entire gym with her presence, celebrating every point and keeping her team fired up. “My best skill on the court is being able to get my team hyped up after every point or play,” she shared. That vocal leadership is paired with a growing defensive range as she works to expand her coverage and court command.   One of her favorite memories is doing her game intro for the first time, a moment that signaled her arrival. Off the court, Alayna's athletic background includes winning four out of five gold medals at a single gymnastics meet. She's aiming to keep her grades up and continue bringing the energy, wherever she's needed.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='777358' first='Isabella' last='Gemma Zarate'] plays with full-speed hustle and zero hesitation. “I love throwing my body on the court and chasing balls down,” she said. Her relentless effort is one of her biggest strengths, and she takes pride in keeping plays alive with grit and quick reactions.   Right now, she's focused on refining her overhead digs to round out her defensive range. Last season, she helped her team go 9-0 at Summer Soiree, a stretch she remembers as one of her favorite moments in the game. Now in her third season of club, Isabella continues to push herself on and off the court, including her personal goal to improve her mile time to six minutes.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='715906' first='Omari' last='Ramirez'] plays with joy, focus, and a nonstop motor. “The people I am surrounded with make volleyball more enjoyable for me,” she shared, and that appreciation for team culture shows in the way she competes. Her ability to track the ball and run down tough plays sets her apart as a defender, and she's currently working on adding hand setting to her skill set while becoming more vocal on the court.   A trip to Nationals in Texas stands out as one of her favorite memories, and she brings the same positive energy whether she's in a match or hanging out with family and friends. Omari's personal goal this season is to play free, stay confident, and not let mistakes take her out of the moment.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='747038' first='Emry' last='Ward'] is all in when it comes to volleyball. “I love it all. I love learning from my lows and I love learning from my highs,” she shared. Her speed and ability to read the game make her a standout libero, especially in those moments when no one expects her to get there. She's taken on high-level hitters all season and is embracing the challenge to sharpen her game even more as high school approaches.   Emry trains with intention, from reps and recovery to mindset and film. Her passion shows in every detail, and her goal is to keep improving while making meaningful connections with her teammates. Off the court, she brings the same flexibility and energy that once took her to circus camp, yes circus camp. Emry is a competitor who leads with heart and shows up ready to grow every time she steps on the court.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247     [player_tooltip player_id='726142' first='Isabella' last='Navarro'] is a smart, steady defender who finds joy in every connection she makes through the game. “What I love most is connecting with my teammates,” she said. Her ability to read hitters and anticipate contact gives her an edge in the back row, and she's working to strengthen her mental endurance to stay locked in through every point.   One of her favorite memories goes back to her 12s season when she earned her first bid at Red Rock Rave, a moment that helped fuel her competitive fire. Volleyball has always been part of her world, even at seven years old, she would sit courtside waiting for a chance to sub in for her older sister's team. Now, as she enters high school, Isabella is focused on living fully, learning through experience, and laying the foundation for long-term success on and off the court.    <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" />   Throughout August, as tryouts, preseason training, and early matches unfold, high school players enter a critical stretch of growth, leadership, and visibility. 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At the PrepDig SoCal Freshman Showcase in Rancho Santa Margarita, a standout group of defensive specialists proved that being loud, scrappy, and steady can set the tone for an entire team. These liberos and DS athletes brought more than just clean passing. They brought energy, urgency, and leadership you could hear from across the gym. Their court presence was undeniable, and their voices, both in how they communicated and how they carried themselves, set them apart. While their digging and serve receive stood out, it was the confidence, court IQ, and connection with teammates that truly defined their impact.