GJNC Scouting Report: 16 Open Liberos Holding the Line

<p>There’s one more position group left to cover, and I’ll readily admit that it’s one of my favorites to discuss.</p> <p>We’ve explored some high-impact middle blockers, outside hitters, and setters throughout this GJNC scouting report series. As we pass the series spotlight over to the defensive specialists, we can start to appreciate just how many standout athletes this 16 Open division has given us. This is an age group that we’ll surely keep breaking down as we advance through the summer months and get closer to the fall season. Our coverage on the site never slows down, and GJNC’s 16 Open weekend gave us plenty to think about.</p> <p>Now, on to the liberos.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> [caption id="attachment_208118" align="alignright" width="400"]<img class="wp-image-208118" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/07/IMG_9448-crop-2786x1829-1657514042-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="263" /> Suppik patrols the backcourt for Mizuno Long Beach.[/caption] <p><strong>Summer Suppik - 5’6 DS/L - Mizuno Long Beach Rockstar 16 T</strong></p> <p>Suppik knows how to pack a libero highlight reel. Her improbably perfect contacts come in a variety of circumstances, as she can generate good touches even when the ball is drifting outside her midline. Simply plug Suppik into the left-back area and let her do the rest.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Tessa Hurley - 5’8 DS/L - Seal Beach 16 Black</strong></p> <p>Hurley’s constant influence with Seal Beach 16 Black helps demonstrate the value of a quality libero. She pinches in on her fellow passers in serve receive to help take the first contact burden off of her outside hitters. Hurley brings that same attitude to her floor defense and will continue to impress within the competitive field of California teams.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> [caption id="attachment_208125" align="alignright" width="400"]<img class="wp-image-208125" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/07/IMG_9388-crop-2856x1875-1657514246-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="263" /> Pitts anchors serve receive for TAV.[/caption] <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="180174" first="Gillian" last="Pitts"] - 5’10 DS/L - TAV 16 Black</strong></p> <p>The "tall libero" is a bit of an anomaly in club volleyball. They’re hard to find. With that in mind, you have to love the way Pitts has embraced her uniqueness within the TAV 16 Black roster. Though she has grown a lot in stature since her playing days began, Pitts has not outgrown her natural ability to control first contact and command a large chunk of the court in serve receive. So, even at 5-foot-10, the libero role feels right for this skilled Texas athlete.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="197976" first="Emilee" last="Prochaska"] - 5’6 DS/L - Flyers 16 APX-Prentice</strong></p> <p>Let’s stay in Texas for our next featured player. Prochaska is an athlete I’ve discussed before for her exemplary work with Frisco Flyers this season. This libero always manages to get her feet to the ball whenever attacks enter her zone. Flyers can therefore rely on Prochaska to deliver steady, predictable first contacts that allow the team’s strong middle blockers to flourish.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Kinsley Singleton - 5’6 DS/L - Arizona Storm 16 Thunder</strong></p> <p>Arizona Storm has put some impressive frontcourt talent on display lately, but don’t forget about Singleton’s steady contributions in the back row. Defending the crosscourt is Singleton’s comfort zone. She reads the seams in the block well and will fill in any gaps left by her frontcourt counterparts. The depth of Arizona Storm will remain a big storyline with players like Singleton leading the way.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> [caption id="attachment_208121" align="alignright" width="400"]<img class="wp-image-208121" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/05/IMG_8927-crop-2060x1353-1657514134-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="263" /> Luoma in the tie-dye libero jersey.[/caption] <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="122523" first="Claire" last="Luoma"] - 5’7 DS/L - MKE Sting 16 Gold</strong></p> <p>I’ve been lucky enough to follow MKE Sting 16 Gold to several different venues throughout the 2022 season, and Luoma stood out in all of them. That’s not just because of the snazzy tie-dye libero jersey that 16 Gold often deploys, either. Luoma has a knack for making tough plays look incredibly easy--often a hallmark of an elite libero. MKE Sting’s high-flying offense will usually thrive as long as their defensive anchor is patroling the end line</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="135946" first="Samantha" last="Falk"] - 5’4 DS/L - 1st Alliance 16 Gold</strong></p> <p>Falk is a player that I identified as one to watch heading into GJNC, and she definitely delivered on the hype last weekend. Like Luoma, Falk was a can’t-miss defensive standout at this year’s Prep Dig Gauntlet. Whether it was on the Prep Dig Circuit or in a national qualifier, this libero’s toughness and grit never wavered as 1st Alliance scrapped to a top-five finish at USAV Nationals.</p>