Bros Stand out at Stock Up Showcase

Normally at the Prep Dig Showcases liberos account for the majority of participants. At this event 14 of the 45 participants were liberos. Setters were close behind with 13 participants. That accounted for more than half of all participants. When the event ended the liberos dominated the top performer selections with five of the 13 selections, with another player identified as an outside hitter bouncing back and forth between the outsides and liberos added to make six. Below are the Liberos who stood out above the crowd to earn a top performer award.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/07/Ava-Holmberg.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1007774" style="width:263px;height:auto" /></figure>    This year my first stop was the libero station. That is where Ava consistently peppered passes to the sweet spot where the target was located. What really impressed was how smoothly she transitioned into her platform, creating a flat and smooth service. She also took a deep pass with two hands. Perhaps I witnessed her when she was in a zone but it impressed. Where others seemed to struggle she calmly passed a series of serves to the target.   I've also been impressed by the success of [program_tooltip program_id='498081' first='Loudoun' last='Elite'] Tony. One of the reasons for that success is the passing of [player_tooltip player_id='898889' first='Ava' last='Holmberg'], who keeps the team in system. Sometimes it just takes time, especially with liberos to discover them to move them up in the rankings.   Virginia Academy seems to be in a rebuilding mode. Last year the varsity had three captains on the team, two seniors who have now graduated and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='898889' first='Ava' last='Holmberg'].   Skill, leadership and being a good teammate are pretty good traits to find in a player.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/07/Makena-Muhammad.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1007778" style="width:245px;height:auto" /></figure>    Makena has been to two previous Prep Dig showcase events. As the saying goes the third time is the charm. She plays a year up on the BAVA 17 team. For whatever reason, I have not been able to see them play.   Makena is another player with a solid platform. She also adds quick feet, two traits that I like in a libero.   Last year Makena played for Elizabeth Seton. This year it appears she will transfer to Bishop McNamara. The Mustangs were one of the surprise teams last year in the WCAC finishing in fourth place. Makena could improve the back row which will allow [player_tooltip player_id='748487' first='Sierra' last='Thomas'] more opportunities to show off her offensive capabilities by staying in system more.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/07/Michelle-Romo-Vilcapoma.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1007779" style="width:289px;height:auto" /></figure>    Michelle could be the surprise of the showcase. When watching the six person play she made a one armed reach dive from the five spot to the deep one spot where the ball glided to the middle of the three meter line. When the middle tried to tip a ball short Michelle was ready. She successfully dove to the floor to pancake the ball up. Wow! What a series of plays.   I asked her what team is the MVSA Shockwave. She told me they were the third team. Watching her perform on the court she does not play like a third team player showing good hustle with great anticipation. However, a top performer is not closed to players who play on third teams. If you wow me with your play on the court you earn a top performer award, regardless of who you play for.   Michele also plays for Rockville High school. They have no rosters in maxpreps or on their athletic website. Somehow, I'll find a way to keep track of her progress. As a coach when I see that kind of hustle on a consistent basis you make the team.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/07/Sydney-Cotman.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1007780" style="width:268px;height:auto" /></figure>    With my first stop I went to the libero station. There was Sydney passing with the liberos. When I mentioned she is listed as an outside she stated she does a little of both. While watching the liberos she was one of the better passers in the libero group,   The next time I saw her play she was hitting outside. She showed a pretty good swing for that position but at 5'8" I can see why she wants to keep that libero versatility.   At the Salt Lake Qualifiers she was identified as one of the top performers hitting outside. She closed well on the block and moved quickly in transition. At this showcase she showed the versatility to play six rotations as an outside or rule the back row at the libero position.   Last year Sydney played for the Junior varsity team at Atholton where she acted as one of the captains on the team. They will lose one of their top outsides as well as their libero to graduation. That creates opportunities for Sydney to make the roster.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/07/Alaina-Abad.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1007781" style="width:288px;height:auto" /></figure>    Alaina was a recommendation by one of the coaches responsible for running drills for the liberos. I watched her a little bit and came away impressed. She shows good hustle with no fear of embracing the floor when going after the ball.   Alaina plays for Maryland Juniors 15 Black. For high school she made the Atholton team as a frosh where she averaged 3.3 digs per match. While she played most of the sets she was principally a role player her frosh season.   When you impress the coaches who are conducting a drill you earn a top performer award. Jeremy and I can't watch everyone at the right time.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/07/Sophia-Fisher.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1007783" style="width:315px;height:auto" /></figure>    Sophia plays in Delaware which is a state I do not cover even though it is in the Chesapeake Region. She plays for Premier Edge 16 which finished in 7th in the Chesapeake Regional Bid Championship. They fell short of earning a Junior National bid. Premier went to Florida to play in AAUs. Sophia plays a year up for Premier.   Sophia shows a nice platform for passing. She moves well moving back for the ball with quick feet that allows her to shuffle well along the court. Her anticipation for reading the hitter allows her to plant in the right spot for the attack.   Sophia plays for the Caravel Academy varsity as a frosh. This past season they reached the final four of the Delaware state championships before losing to St. Marks in four sets.   Her earning a spot as a top performer will probably force me to pay attention to her when I see her play in a local tournament. They did play in a Maryland Juniors tournament and the Capitol Hill Classic this past club season.

Normally at the Prep Dig Showcases liberos account for the majority of participants. At this event 14 of the 45 participants were liberos. Setters were close behind with 13 participants. That accounted for more than half of all participants. When the event ended the liberos dominated the top performer selections with five of the 13 selections, with another player identified as an outside hitter bouncing back and forth between the outsides and liberos added to make six. Below are the Liberos who stood out above the crowd to earn a top performer award.