Liberos Lightning Up Nike President’s Day Classic

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;howe30&nbsp;in the coupon code area</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>President's Day Pictures</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/02/photo-gallery-i-st-louis-nike-presidents-class-2026/">Photo Gallery I</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/02/photo-gallery-ii-st-louis-nike-presidents-class-2026/">Photo Gallery II</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/02/photo-gallery-iii-st-louis-nike-presidents-class-2026/">Photo Gallery III</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ST. LOUIS -&nbsp;</strong>Iowa clubs represented themselves well during this past weekend's Nike President's Day Classic at the Americas Center. Most, if not all, age groups saw teams from the state competing in Gold Bracket play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That success occurs when talented individuals stand out on well-connected squads. Those athletes can't do it alone, but their teams need them to deliver big plays in important moments.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's look back at those performances, position by position. Here's a noteworthy collection of liberos:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["498069"],"_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-6995fa473ce39"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rinehart played on the Iowa Regional champs with 15-1 Premier last year before moving over to United 16 Elite Timmerman for the 2026 club campaign. In between, the sophomore helped Centennial reach the Class 5A title match with 265 digs and 65 kills this past fall. Rinehart was on point playing libero for Timmerman at the 2026 Nike President's Day Classic in St. Louis. The squad reached the Open Division Gold Bracket championship match with her holding it down in the back row. While she has the versatility to play elsewhere on the court, Rinehart is at her best using her athleticism, lateral quickness and sharp reflexes in producing crisp passes. She reads the ball well in serve-receive and bows up soundly against the opposing attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["782157"],"_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-69960228d99ff"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jensen is a player I see a lot with her being on our daughter's Rockets 15R team. While she'd displayed toughness and grit throughout the season, the Williamsburg freshman took it to another level at the 2026 Nike President's Day Class in St. Louis. Jensen didn't miss a play despite injuring her leg going for a dig early in the tournament. Wrapped up with a ace bandage, her contributions were integral in the team finishing fifth in the Open Division Gold Bracket. Jensen's athleticism has stood out to me when watching her. She moves fluidly around the court guided by an ability to read the attack. Jensen can deaden pace and turn it into accurate passes. She holds up well in serve-receive, an area that's continually improving. Jensen flashes keen court awareness and brings good energy to the competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["758787"],"_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-6996046d93f8c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mescher stood out when watching her at the 2025 MLK Day tournament in Kansas City. I liked what I saw in her game again during the Iowa Regional last year. Again, she put her best foot forward during an in-person scout at the 2026 Nike President's Day Classic in St. Louis. The carrying tools for Mescher are court awareness and a high volleyball IQ. It's an intense look on the face and learning from tendencies of the opponent. It helps in getting into proper position. From there, she shows sharp skills in getting the ball cleanly to her setter. Mescher moves well, and does a nice job communicating with teammates before and during points. Graduation losses at Ankeny should put her in position for more playing time in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["742600"],"_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-69960798231a2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hodge is by no means a secret and is ranked highly for good reason. The sophomore wore the jersey during Assumption's run to the Class 3A state title in the fall. She stacked up 448 digs and produced 79 assists during 92 sets, playing some of her best volleyball when it counted most. Despite the position as one of the state's best at the position, I felt compelled to write about her again after an in-person scout at the 2026 Nike President's Day Classic in St. Louis. Hodge performed wonderfully against some heavy hitters in the Open Division. The task was made more difficult by the infrequency with which she's attacked after opponents realize that's not a winning formula. Most of the chances are when attackers feel like have a decided advantage, meaning it ball will be humming. Sharp reflexes, quickness and a awareness give her a chance to get the ball up to the setter no matter what.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["741877"],"_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-6996127aad6b2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cewe shined in leading Select to the 14U title at last year's Iowa Regional. She covered a lot of the court back then and has taken over even more area this club season. Lateral quickness and athleticism help her achieve success. Strong fundamentals are a big part of it, too. Cewe is technically sound, which leads to her limiting mistakes. A student of the game and a coach's kid, the Clinton freshman picks up on opponents' tendencies, resulting in becoming more impactful as the match goes. She's sound in serve-receive and can set the pin well off of the two-ball. Cewe communicates what she sees to teammates and is a leader on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["946828"],"_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-6996152919470"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Miller stepped into Xavier's starting libero role in 2025 with notable success. The junior paced the Saints with 286 digs to go with 69 kills and 34 assists during 85 sets. She's continued her ascent while wearing the jersey for Adrenaline's top 17s team this club season. Miller held up well against a barrage of attacks playing in the Open Division at the 2026 Nike President's Day Classic. Athleticism and quickness helped her cover a lot of ground. Miller sees the ball well in serve-receive and flows with the play as it unfolds. She gets impressive height on her jump serve and pressures opponents in that aspect of the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->