Which Liberos Locked in at Prep Dig Quad Cities Quest?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We need some backcourt representation from last weekend's star-studded tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our post-event coverage from the Prep Dig Quad Cities Quest rolls on. This venue provided a fascinating crossroads between Iowa and Illinois talent, giving us a broad range of athletes and regions to highlight. We've already revealed our all-17s/18s picks and riffed on a few more middle blockers who stood out. Pin hitters were also a focus after the opening round of pool play. Even with all of these features, we still have a major void to fill along the end line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, today is all about the liberos. Top-tier defenders are commonplace whenever you watch prep volleyball in the Hawkeye State, so we have no shortage of options for this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["578517"],"_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-69b1e1fa5e946"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Let's lead off with the division champs. Perez has made the move to Iowa Select and brings immediate defensive upgrades to the 17 Mizuno lineup. This Moline High School standout has a knack for reading opposing hitters and diving into the crosscourt to pick up open seams. Perez's floor defense is only part of the equation, though, as she also delivers the pinpiont passes that allow 17 Mizuno's offense to operate. The Quad Cities Quest served as a reminder of Iowa Select's arsenal of backcourt weapons, and Perez led the charge en route to a title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["527640"],"_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-69b1e1fa5e9ae"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gritty defense was a staple of Midway Elite 17 Black's stay in Davenport. Chavez set the tone in that phase and was an impenetrable force during long, grueling rallies. This versatile defender emerged as a name to know during Saturday's coverage in Davenport, and she remained in the spotlight as 17 Black earned its spot in the final bracket. The Great Lakes Region is as tough as ever, but players like Chavez are fortifying Chicago Elite's foothold in the Windy City.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Kahjeemah Williams","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'6u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Danville","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Stateline Pride","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69b1e1fa5ea4d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Illinois-Indiana corridor is packed with libero talent, so we had sky-high expectations for Stateline Pride's defensive specialists in Davenport. Williams was a trendsetter for the club's top 18s squad while playing up from the Class of 2027. Her tangible skills were exceptional, but Williams's vocal guidance was perhaps even more valuable. She lifted Stateline Pride through some hotly contested matches and left a big impression in the Iowa Select gym.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Payton Hallman","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'6u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Hinsdale","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"DuPage Elite","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69b1e1fa5ead3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">DuPage Elite 17 United wasn't afraid to wield multiple liberos during last weekend's event, so we had a full array of backcourt gems to see from this group. Hallman made the most of her stints in the libero jersey and looked comfortable in any zone along the end line. This flexibility allowed 17 United to experiment with lineups and bring Hallman off the bench if needed. Finding the right combinations yielded a podium finish for Hallman and her resurgent DuPage Elite group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Chloe Asselin","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'5u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Pleasant Valley","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"[program_tooltip program_id='431625' first='Iowa' last='Select VBC']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69b1e1fa5eb4e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ball control will be a reliable asset for this year's Iowa Select 17 Black crew. This is especially true when Asselin steps into the libero spot and provides invaluable leadership in every rotation. 17 Black faced no shortage of intimidating attackers in Davenport, but Asselin embraced the challenge throughout the weekend. She dug some serious heat in the left-back area and took care of any finesse shots down the line. Asselin's intensity permeates across the 17 Black lineup and primes the team for upcoming qualifier success on the Midwestern circuit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["792345"],"_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-69b1e1fa5eb92"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">RJ'Z 17-1's ultra-physical frontcourt drew a lot of attention at the Quad Cities Quest, but we shouldn't lose sight of the team's leaders along the end line. Behrens was a key signal-caller in the back row and allowed her fellow passers to focus on their attacking duties in first-ball situations. Out-of-sytem moments were also a chance for Behrens to shine, as she readily stepped in to deliver quality sets to the pins. We've added a lot of 2027s to our radar after RJ'Z 17-1's bracket climb in Davenport.</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-69b1e1fa5ec07"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Iowa prep scene has seen plenty of stat-stuffing liberos over the years, and Hodge is another stark example. Assumption High School looked to this sophomore to don the contrasting jersey last fall, and the results were remarkable. She churned out nearly 450 digs with the Knights and established herself as one of Iowa's top prospects in the Class of 2028. Therefore, we weren't surprised to see Hodge run the show again during Iowa Select 16 Mizuno's foray in our 17s/18s division. Playing against older foes has never slowed Hodge's upward momentum.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->