Fearless Liberos From the 16 Open #PDBattleattheBay

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Dig Battle at the Bay returned to the Resch Expo Center in Green Bay for its second year and the two-day tournament did not disappoint. It was especially exciting in the 16 Open where the teams were very evenly matched and the battles were fierce! There were only 8 teams and while on Day 1 Pool 1 only had 1 3-set match, Pool 2 had 4 of the 6 matches go to a 3rd set. [program_tooltip program_id='428662' first='Wisconsin' last='Ice'] 16 National found an opportunity to redeem themselves a couple of times over the weekend. On Day 1 they started out playing I AM 16 Red who had previously gone to 3 sets with Ice 16 National twice before. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I AM came out on top both at the Prep Dig Resolution and the Badger Region Championships. It was another grudge match between the two but Ice finally got their win 15-11 in the 3rd set. Unfortunately, Ice then had to turn around and take on a very strong Midwest Penguin 15 Elite squad and lost 15-11 in the 3rd set. On day 2 Ice and MWP 15 Elite found themselves squaring off for a rematch in the Championship and Ice battled to win 29-27, 25-23, and take the 16 Open title. One thing that was very apparent was the DEFENSE in the 16 Open Division was insane and you could NEVER assume the ball would hit the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That's why I knew I had to write about the top 5 liberos I saw in the 16 Open division this weekend! These 'bros were more than defenders and in charge of serve receive. They were spark plugs and dynamic leaders for their teams!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["178349"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"This team is first and foremost driven by it's defensive tenacity and ball control.  Ilkka is a huge catalyst in these categories.  She anchors the defense as a constant communicator and she has no fear when it comes to going after a ball.  Ilkka reads the play on the other side, has quick reactions, and moves swiftly across the court to make huge plays.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["236329"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Fregien has great vourt vision and a truly keen understanding of the game.  She routinely knows where the ball is going well in advance and then puts herself in a position to make plays look effortess.  I can't tell you how many times I was amazed at the digs she was making and I know opposing teams had a hard time not cheering on some of her plays as well.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='533618' first='Leah' last='Brigson']","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"West Salem","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"Elevate","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Brigson is really strong in serve receive and consistently gives the setter a great 1st contact.  She seems to thrive under pressure and does not shy away from a tough server.  Brigson stayed focused and composed and seemed to anchor her team to keep them calm and confident.  She is a great asset to Elevate with her strong defensive presence and ability to keep the ball in play.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["178285"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Van Camp has made some really great improvements over the season and really I would expect nothing less with a coach like former Lakeland men's Libero, Rocky Koenig.  Her reaction time along with her ability to take care of the deep corner with her hands can frustrate attackers.  Van Camp is steady and consistent for her Impact squad.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["202193"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Vorphal is steady and consistent in serve receive and sets the defensive tone for I AM.  She plays with a lot of energy and makes a lot of big plays to give her team a boost.  Vorphal does a great job covering her attackers and making sure to give her setter the best possible first contact to keep her team in system,","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-644740036808c"} /-->