Top Offensive Liberos in Class of 2028

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some of the state's top young defenders are players that want to be more than just a dig machine. They want to find ways to impact the game in all phases.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at some of the 2028 defenders that can help boost a team's offense as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='587009' first='Kaitlyn' last='Koceski'], Novi/Legacy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Koceski comes from a Novi program that has been able to produce some of the very best defenders in the state. She shows a lot of promise for being an elite defender, but also has an impressive delivery when making an attack. Koceski can put the ball away with some added umph, making her a dual-threat at all times.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='765793' first='Maya' last='Lorenzo'], Dakota/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lorenzo isn't the biggest player on the court at 5'3”, but she's got a powerful serve that can really turn the tide of a match. Her defensive play is strong, as she can rack up the digs, but her smooth passing can also apply to setting up a hitter with an easy ball to unleash on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='454374' first='Addison' last='Nostrandt'], Birch Run/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nostrandt is the latest elite defender to come through the Birch Run program. She's truly one of the best in the back row, but she's got the ability to help out the offense as well. She's got a smooth bump set and the awareness to contribute on second contact at a high level. She's also one of the elite servers in the class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='887162' first='Lyla' last='Russell'], Imlay City/Michigan Elite</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Russell plays for a talented Imlay City team in the fall and she fit in nicely in a lead role this fall. Along with a lot of challenging defensive plays, Russell contributed nearly 150 assists from her position and maintained a high level of performance from the service line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='848766' first='Hadley' last='Wagaman'], Bronson/Empowered</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wagaman can wear multiple hats for Bronson as their primary defender. She's got the high court IQ of a Bronson leader, as she's very consistent in her play defensive duties, but can step up when her offense needs a bump set during a pressure situation. Wagaman is also a dynamite server that can turn the tide of a match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834311' first='Kinsley' last='Whitfield'], Byron Center/FaR Out</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whitfield is another in the Byron Center program that has the ability of playing libero, or being able to shift into a hitting role because of her all-around skillset. Whitfield has good feel for the play and where she needs to be to make an impact on the point. She's technically sound as a defender, but can power through a ball when needed as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->