Class of 2025 - 10 States, 10 Elite Liberos

Watching teams at the Open level in tournaments last year, a common denominator was having a libero who could handle not only the floating serves, the hard swings, but the pressure of being the one who had to be playing their "A Game" consistently.  They need to be the one that teams cannot serve because it's going to be a three point pass.  They also need a presence on their court.  That doesn't mean screaming, having the wildest celebrations, or diving into chairs to save a ball, but a presence where they are connecting with teammates, communicating, taking the pulse of the team.  These athletes are from 10 different states, but bring a huge game to the table and are ready for a big 2023 season.    [player_tooltip player_id='215395' first='Dakota' last='Mitchell'] - Six Pack (Iowa)   A small town, gritty Iowa kid. [player_tooltip player_id='215395' first='Dakota' last='Mitchell'] is one of the top Liberos out of Iowa where she was part of the Six Pack squad who qualified in 15 Open where they will return a strong core. Mitchell has a really solid and relaxed platform, she has an athletic style. She's a multi sport athlete which is apparent in her style of play with how she can adjust and make plays all over the court.   [player_tooltip player_id='178026' first='Olivia' last='Durst'] - Milwaukee Sting (Wisconsin)   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/09/DSC07323-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-228029" width="284" height="189" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Durst</figcaption></figure>   Durst will be a Swiss Army knife player for Milwaukee Sting 16 Gold where they will feature top tier passers in Durst, Kati Berezowitz, and Natalie Powers. The skill set for Durst allows her to swing on the outside where she was a starting outside for Divine Savior Holy Angels out of Milwaukee who won the large school state title in Wisconsin. However, she is a pure playmaker in the backrow. She has range and can take pace off a bit swing with ease. 2023 will be a big year for Durst and her Sting 16 Gold squad.   [player_tooltip player_id='179887' first='Callie' last='Krueger'] - Austin Skyline (Texas)   Krueger was one who really stood out last year I. The 15 Open Division at USAV for her Austin Skyline team. She has great balance, anticipation, and platform awareness where she also uses her hands really well. She can read the shots, beat the ball to the spot, and has positive intangibles among her teammates. This past week, Krueger was part of the NTDP training group in Anaheim. She's among the elite in the Class of 2025   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1542124093478240264?s=20&t=WoCyTu6mTQZT8soLr0OZWw </div></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='177422' first='McKenna' last='Garr'] - Northern Lights (Minnesota)   I noticed Garr last year at the Northern Lights Qualifier where she made everything so simple. She falls in line with plenty of Lights alums who have gone on to big college careers as Liberos. Garr keeps things quiet, she doesn't have wasted motion, she's efficient. Her Lights 16-1 team will be one to watch where they return a strong core of their team from 15 Open where they had some huge wins to finish in the top half of the field.   Lily Hayes - OT (Florida)    So athletic. Hayes moves extremely well where she could even go to the pin and take some swings, she's the type who will take over a match, playing big in big moments. OT 15 Randy would use their ball control and tempo to wear teams down. They were the Triple Crown NIT runner ups and had plenty of big finishes in qualifiers as well as a gold bracket finish at USAV and were runner up for AAU 15 Open. Hayes finished the season with an arm injury, but she will be a big time prospect to watch in 2023.   Ava Young - 1st Alliance (Illinois)    <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/DSC05794.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-284622" width="335" height="223" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Young</figcaption></figure>   1st Alliance was one of the top teams in the country for all age groups. The 15s in 2022 won Triple Crown and was a gold bracket squad at USAV 15 Open. Young was the Libero for this team where she was so steady and consistent. What is strong about Young's game is how she is completely under control. She has great awareness of the court, her teammates, and what is going on the other side of the net. She's a high IQ player and has great poise and presence on the court.   [player_tooltip player_id='155029' first='Keri' last='Leimbach'] - Nebraska One   Leimbach is the real deal. Aside from her top notch fundamentals, she has a fire and intensity that is next level. Nebraska One has a lot of local Lincoln kids who have been playing together for years. They have plenty of athletes that will be high level college players. Leimbach is on the USAV radar, attending plenty of NTDP sessions. This team was a bit of a secret last year, but they will have a target on their back in 2023. Knowing the right and grit coming from this team they will be ready to embrace it with their own high expectations.   Kaitlin Smith - NORCO (Colorado)   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/DSC08337.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-284623" width="311" height="207" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Smith</figcaption></figure>   Smith is a solid all around player where she has great IQ and court savvy. A Libero out of Greeley, playing for NORCO out of Loveland, Colorado is poised for a big season. She not only passes but she was one of the top setters in Colorado's Class 3A earning All State honors. Players who can contribute in a variety of ways bring so much value to the court and will always find a way to contribute in a positive way. Smith might be a sleeper in this class, but definitely someone to keep on the radar.   [player_tooltip player_id='173381' first='Hadley' last='Porter'] - Dynasty (KS)    One of the top athletes who will take the court. Porter has a real physical style of play out of the backrow where she covers a lot of court and has the length to get an extra touch to continue the rally. Dynasty had some big wins in 2022 including an MEQ 15 Open title. Porter is part of a strong core of high level Liberos coming out of Dynasty and will have plenty of coaches calling on June 15.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1542164403533086724?s=20&t=pvtxh59_4GHQbPbjs8SIxA </div></figure>   Izabella Mahaffey - AZ Storm   Mahaffey was an All Tournament Team member of 15 Open playing for AZ Storm 15 Thunder as they were the national runner-up finishers.  What is impressive on Mahaffey's game is her ability to get the touches that not only prolong the rally, but keep her side of the net in system.  She can stay in base and adjust with ease whether it's defending the middle of the court on a roll shot, a tip, and can defend a hard line or cross swing. Like most of these liberos, Mahaffey glides on the court with such efficient movement.  Sheis bound to have another big year in 2023.

Watching teams at the Open level in tournaments last year, a common denominator was having a libero who could handle not only the floating serves, the hard swings, but the pressure of being the one who had to be playing their "A Game" consistently. They need to be the one that teams cannot serve because it's going to be a three point pass. They also need a presence on their court. That doesn't mean screaming, having the wildest celebrations, or diving into chairs to save a ball, but a presence where they are connecting with teammates, communicating, taking the pulse of the team. These athletes are from 10 different states, but bring a huge game to the table and are ready for a big 2023 season.