2026 Rankings: Top Liberos

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first rankings for the Minnesota class of 2026 have been published. 2026 is the youngest group we currently rank and we try to be hands off until they enter their high school years. This means the watchlist and rankings are a work in progress. The number of players will grow and rankings will shift. Whenever we see players we are making adjustments because they are continuously growing and developing their game. Here are the first ball control and defensive gurus in the Minnesota class of 2026. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["229011"],"_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":"Keaveny showed off some great hustle at the Show Me Qualifier.  She had no problems taking care of the deep corners and knew just how to create some great angles with her platform.  Keaveny was a key piece to the Mayer Lutheran squad in her freshman season.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["199396"],"_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":"Kraft is a high academic athlete with an impressive resume.  As a freshman she was [program_tooltip program_id='432165' first='[program_tooltip program_id='432165' first='[program_tooltip program_id='432082' first='[program_tooltip program_id='430384' first='Eagan' last='']' last='']' last='']' last='']'s starting libero and not only helped her team to a South Suburban Conference Championship but also garnered all conference and defensive player of the year award.  She's also helped her Northern Lights team take 3rd place finishes at AAU National's the last 2 seasons.  Kraft is definitely a player to watch out for!","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["207306"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Johnson is all the noise in Wabasso as the primary libero last fall and for [program_tooltip program_id='429186' first='Kandi' last='Elite'] 15-1.  She makes a huge impact as she reads the play as it develops, makes just the right defensive moves and creates a lot of quality opportunities for her squad.  [program_tooltip program_id='429186' first='Kandi' last='Elite'] 15-1 has some real offensive weapons and Johnson keeps her team in system.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-644ff6e65f415"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16229646/6363dc5e19a5f308f8e57578' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-645181727474e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["199393"],"_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":"Burley has a great tools both defensively and offensively. She is balanced on defense and quick with her first step to the ball.  Burley has cat like reflexes and she creates a spark for her team just when they need it.  She also steps in as a pin hitter for her club team to provide that solid and consistent serve receive and calculated placement with her attacks.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["211208"],"_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":"Burns moves well and makes defensive plays look simple and routine.  She is very active across the floor and does a good job with with her eyework and anticipating the next play. Burns is quick and keeps her angle simple and strong to keep her offense in system.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64518172747ef"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">More Defensive Superstars</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='364663' first='Casey' last='Chapman'] - [program_tooltip program_id='428866' first='Vital' last=''] 15-1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='385676' first='Elexis' last='Melody West'] - Northern Lights 15-2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->