BACK ROW BALLERS, Class of 2028 DS/Liberos RANKED

<p>Colorado's Class of 2028 has plenty of defensive talent making an impact from the back row. These players bring different strengths, but they all understand the value of a great first contact.</p>   <p>Here are three ranked DS/Liberos to know!</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">No. 4, [player_tooltip player_id='808878' first='Kylee' last='Mayes']</h2>    <p>Mayes brings a competitive edge that immediately stands out in the back row. She covers ground well and stays involved throughout the rally. When a ball moves outside of her area, she is willing to go make a play.</p>   <p>Her defensive game also comes with plenty of consistency. Mayes does not need every touch to be perfect. Instead, she focuses on keeping the ball playable and giving her team another opportunity.</p>   <p>That mentality is especially valuable from a DS. The job is often about making the next play possible. Mayes continues to show that she can do exactly that.</p>   <p>With her commitment to Wyoming already in place, Mayes has another exciting chapter ahead. Her defensive presence and competitive mindset will make her a fun player to follow at the next level.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">No. 14, [player_tooltip player_id='773968' first='Sofia' last='Posada']</h2>    <p>Posada has a knack for finding the ball.</p>   <p>She stays active in the back row and reacts quickly when rallies start to break down. That ability to stay engaged can make a huge difference when opponents begin testing the defense.</p>   <p>Furthermore, Posada brings a steady presence in serve receive. She works to create playable first contacts instead of simply keeping the ball alive. That gives her setter more options and helps keep the offense moving.</p>   <p>Her defensive instincts are another reason she continues to catch our attention. Posada understands that not every ball will come directly to her. She stays ready for tips, deflections, and unexpected changes in direction.</p>   <p>In a deep Class of 2028 group, that kind of defensive awareness matters. Posada continues to give us plenty to watch in the back row.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">No. 11, [player_tooltip player_id='805656' first='Hanna' last='Benz']</h2>    <p>Benz brings a composed presence to the back court.</p>   <p>She does a nice job taking ownership of the space around her. That confidence allows her to settle into serve receive and focus on creating a quality first contact.</p>   <p>Moreover, Benz continues to show strong awareness during rallies. She stays connected to the play and works to be in position before the ball comes her way. That preparation can make difficult defensive plays look much more manageable.</p>   <p>There is also a steadiness to her game that stands out. Benz does not need to make the flashiest play to impact a rally. Sometimes, the biggest value comes from consistently doing the little things right.</p>   <p>That reliability makes Benz an important piece of this Class of 2028 back-row group. She is another defender we will continue watching closely.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Back Row Ballers</h2>   <p>The Class of 2028 continues to show just how much defensive talent Colorado has coming through the ranks.</p>   <p>All three understand that great defense starts with staying ready. As this class continues to develop, we will be watching to see which back-row players make the next jump.</p>   <p>For more Colorado volleyball coverage, player features, recruiting content, rankings, and more, follow @prepdigcolorado on Instagram!</p>

Colorado's Class of 2028 has plenty of defensive talent making an impact from the back row. These players bring different strengths, but they all understand the value of a great first contact.