2028 Rankings Update- Liberos Taking Center Stage

The libero and DS positions are tough to crack in the rankings; there are 33 total ranked, with another 20+ on the watch list. The hard work and training athletes put into the position are second to none, and it feels like one of the positions in volleyball where a player can improve based on how hard you work and how badly you want it. It takes reps to be great in serve receive, and you have to see and handle big swings to get good at digging up big swings. Prospects who get those extra reps, work to improve their speed, strength, and quickness in the gym, and also have that unique willingness to go all out for everything are the players who rise to the top. These are several of the Liberos Taking Center Stage for the class of 2028.   [player_tooltip player_id='450287' first='Kenzie' last='Bentosino'] | 5'0" | Mountlake Terrace. The high-powered defender for Sudden Impact 17 is the top-ranked libero in the class. Bentosino is extremely quick and disciplined, and can manipulate angles in serve receive and when she digs balls, giving her team excellent opportunities to score in side-out and transition situations. She has played up in age for multiple seasons and performed at a high level- she is very deserving of her #1 libero ranking.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/XEp_L8oPn8o?si=UW3NRggZhpUXVqCM </div></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='708645' first='Audrey' last='Iseminger'] | 5'7" | Lake Stevens. Iseminger put the state on notice with her performance as a sophomore libero for Lake Stevens during their 4A State Title run last season. She has outstanding range and is relentless in taking the ball any chance she gets.   [player_tooltip player_id='618088' first='Makana' last='Lum-Lung'] | 5'7" | Kentridge. An excellent beach player, Lum-Lung could be among several Division 1 beach or indoor defenders throughout the rankings. She is athletic and smooth on the court, with a terrific all-around game; rock solid in serve-receive, setting the second ball, playing defense, and serving a difficult jump float that frequently knocks teams out of system.   [player_tooltip player_id='509446' first='Kate' last='Berry'] | 5'7" | Wenatchee- verbal commitment to play beach at Cal Poly. The Wenatchee High School program continues to turn out talented players who play with passion and fire; Berry is another excellent example. Lightning quick with a high volleyball IQ, Berry will play beach at Cal Poly and will be integral in keeping the Panthers in the 4A title chase this fall.      Deresh and her Blue Royals squad rattled off a bunch of wins during the club season. The libero from Inlemoor High School was a major contributor- her skilled work as a passer and defender helped power the offensive attack for the team. Watching Deresh play, you quickly recognize her quick, coordinated footwork; she can accelerate to top speed rapidly from a fixed position and always gets an excellent jump on tips and shots. She is listed as the #14 overall libero in the latest rankings update.     Glogovac has a calmness to her game- she doesn't panic even when she is going all out for a tip or shot; she usually manages to control the ball and give her setter time to put up a hittable ball. The Gig Harbor prospect has a strong platform and the focus and technique to deliver well-located sets on second contact. Glogovac is currently the 15th overall libero in the updated 2028 WA Rankings.     Logan is a gritty defender who plays for Southridge in the Mid Columbia Conference and Shockwave VBC out of the Tri-Cities. Consistency is a major part of her game; her movement and platform are always solid, and Logan is rarely out of position no matter how frantic a rally becomes. At 5'7", she has the length to make lunging digs on tips and run down an attack that is thrown to the corner. Logan is an extremely hard worker who keeps putting in the hours and effort to improve her overall game     Bautista has the look of a libero who will continue to rise in the rankings as she moves into her junior season at North Creek. She has a disciplined approach to giving her setters clean free balls at just the right tempo, an undervalued skill for defenders. The rest of her game is high quality; she uses angles effectively and sets her feet to give herself the best possible chance to dig up a swing with high heat.

The libero and DS positions are tough to crack in the rankings; there are 33 total ranked, with another 20+ on the watch list. The hard work and training athletes put into the position are second to none, and it feels like one of the positions in volleyball where a player can improve based on how hard you work and how badly you want it. It takes reps to be great in serve receive, and you have to see and handle big swings to get good at digging up big swings. Prospects who get those extra reps, work to improve their speed, strength, and quickness in the gym, and also have that unique willingness to go all out for everything are the players who rise to the top. These are several of the Liberos Taking Center Stage for the class of 2028.