Missouri Liberos Locking Down the Backcourt at #PDStockUpMOKC

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last weekend's event offered an extraordinary defensive display from some of the region's best liberos.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yesterday, we covered a group of <a href="https://prepdig.com/2024/08/missouris-standout-middle-blockers-from-pdstockupmokc/">Missouri middles</a> who excelled at the net during Saturday's Missouri/Kansas Stock Up Showcase. Of course, stellar net play wasn't the only redeeming quality of our Kansas City outing. We're venturing along the end line for this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kansas City brought some of the most intense, high-energy defensive drills I've seen across the Prep Dig Circuit. That gave us a great look at the many outstanding liberos in the venue, so we'll have plenty to discuss here. My post-event coverage jurisdiction is staying in Missouri, so here are a few key competitors from the Show Me State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1819809934072234220","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1819809934072234220 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["261291"],"_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-66b38f32ea491"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Blowers is a past standout on the Prep Dig Circuit, so Saturday's event was just another entry for her highlight reel. The Park Hill South prep athlete was a consistent contributor in serve-receive, especially when she was placed in the middle-back area. Blowers makes quick defensive reads to place herself in the right spots to pick up roll shots. This dynamic libero is ready to prove herself as an upperclassman on Missouri's high school stage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["292716"],"_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-66b38f32ea4f3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">PVA has a knack for producing quality liberos. McNeive is one of those must-see talents from the Class of 2026 and is gaining serious momentum over the summer. She just wrapped up her stay at USAV Nationals after PVA 16 Elite hoisted the 16 Liberty title at Kansas City's Show Me Qualifier. Steady midline passing has made McNeive the focal point of 16 Elite's serve receive, and she demonstrated more of that aptitude at our showcase.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["357573"],"_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-66b38f32ea539"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Park Hill South High School is back on the board. Brattin adds to the team's strong libero group and represents Mizuno Club North during the spring season. The rising junior has asserted herself in a Missouri class that is packed with liberos at the top of our rankings. Brattin brings an unusually long frame to the libero spot, allowing her to reach past her midline and extend her defensive range. Like many of the defenders on this list, Brattin got valuable GJNC experience this summer and is looking poised for a junior breakout.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["584011"],"_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-66b38f32ea57b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Missouri club season keeps expanding. Brase represents 573 [program_tooltip program_id='490801' first='Missouri' last='Juniors'], which operates under the Mizuno umbrella alongside 417 Juniors. This libero represented her club well with several standout defensive plays during positional drills. Moreover, Brase was part of a successful 2023 high school season with Capital City and should see her role expand this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["222072"],"_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-66b38f32ea5bb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We can't forget about the dominant defenders in the KC [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] gym. Brown will join KC [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last='']'s top 17s crew next year, but we need to look back at her 16s campaign with Pohaku. Her squad qualified in GJNC's Open division, and Brown led the way in the contrasting jersey. She makes serve-receive look easy, whether it's at USAV Nationals or a showcase. Her active feet are always pointed in the right direction and lead to controlled transition digs. Further gains are on the way as Brown competes with Park Hill this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["544703"],"_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-66b38f32ea5fb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We're now getting into the Class of 2027, and KC [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] remains in the spotlight. Clevenger's 2023 film reveals a fearless defender who is not afraid to absorb some crosscourt heat. She confidently patrolled the left-back and allowed her KC [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] offense to operate in long rallies. Serve-receive drills also put Clevenger in her comfort zone, making her the ideal choice for the libero spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["485639"],"_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-66b38f32ea63c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">How about another Pohaku standout who has seen the GJNC stage? Ottis has built a reputation for her sprawling saves and relentless hustle in that bright green libero uniform. Of course, a defender's impact is not solely measured by the flashy plays. Ottis also embraces her role as the primary passer and will readily take burdens off of her teammates. The North Kansas City athlete set a high bar as a freshman: four digs per set as the team's starter. She can still aim higher.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->