Liberos Climbing in Nebraska 2025 Rankings Update

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's time to give liberos their due credit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensive specialists often get the short end of the stick in volleyball rankings. Perhaps that's due to some perception about the position's overall value or influence on any given match. Sure, teams will try their best to avoid giving any touches to an elite opposing libero. But Nebraska's Class of 2025 is defying trends with a large group of liberos who deserve to be near the top.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That's especially true now that we've updated those <a href="https://prepdig.com/nebraska/rankings/2025-rankings/">2025 rankings</a>. Several defensive specialists have ascended the list after recent performances, and we need a whole feature to review it all.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here it is.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["189328"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a6a273f10c1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Borer had no problem adapting to a new environment this year. She moved to [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 17 Elite for the 2024 season and immediately seized control of the back row. This NDSU commit has the quickness and instincts to be a game-changing libero at the Open level, culminating in VCN's bid triumph at the Salt Lake City Showdown. Borer now embarks on her senior year at Norris and is poised to make a state tournament return. No stage is too big for this exceptional defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["155041"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a6a273f116e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">How about another libero who wore new club colors this year? Kremer joined Nebraska Elite this spring and had an influential role with the club's top 17s squad. Her middle-back defense reminded us of all the highlight moments she had during Lincoln Southwest's title run last fall. However, Kremer also had occasional forays in the front row and proved her worthiness as an outside hitter. What will Kremer's senior season bring next?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["173524"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a6a273f11f2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Let's address a second key cog in the [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 17 Elite backcourt. Ott has proven she can don the contrasting jersey or sub in for any of 17 Elite's pin hitters. The Colorado commit gets her feet to the ball quickly and can work in conjunction with all of her fellow passers. Ott could be the next featured defender at Omaha Skutt Catholic as the SkyHawks chase ten consecutive state titles. That's a lot of pressure, but Ott is ready.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["342522"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a6a273f1276"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Speaking of tournament-seasoned defenders, we can't leave Francis out of this stock-riser discussion. Francis is a multi-year starter at Papillion-La Vista and helped the Monarchs climb to last year's Class A finale. This versatile defender can slot into any spot in the backcourt lineup and proved her versatility with Premier Nebraska 17 Red. Francis solidified her spot as the team's libero and had an excellent outing at USAV Nationals this month. One more thrilling high school season is on the horizon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["253921"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a6a273f1306"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Vlasek has impressed us at a variety of venues. She has been a top performer on the Prep Dig Circuit and had excellent moments in our showcase environment. The Omaha Marian prep star took the next step forward this spring as a leading libero in the Club Legacy gym. Vlasek had a steady hand in her team's breakout performance at AAU Nationals, which should be a precursor to further success this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["342614"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a6a273f1360"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Daly's club season was full of new milestones. Her [program_tooltip program_id='428717' first='Nebraska' last='ONE'] 17 Black squad clawed its way to GJNC through the Windy City Qualifier and looked sharp against the nation's best in Las Vegas. The Omaha Marian athlete has excellent court vision in Zone 6, which could be attributed to her prior experience as a pin hitter. Daly will be part of a strong group of Marian defenders looking to make a postseason return.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["214043"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a6a273f13bc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We'll wrap up with a [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] athlete who has already made big gains in 2024. Faiman locked down the end line for 17 Navy and patrolled the middle-back area in floor defense. This allowed Faiman to take full command of the back row and take initiative on tips and roll shots. Her high-level experience with Bellevue West has paid dividends already this year. Now, Faiman will chase back-to-back tournament appearances with the Thunderbirds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->