Top Five Liberos in the State
Passing is not an issue in the state of Illinois. Many of the best Liberos and Defensive Specialist come from high school and clubs in Illinois. Here are five liberos who we think at PrepDigs are pretty special. Lexi Rodriguez,…
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Continue ReadingPassing is not an issue in the state of Illinois. Many of the best Liberos and Defensive Specialist come from high school and clubs in Illinois. Here are five liberos who we think at PrepDigs are pretty special.
Lexi Rodriguez, 2021,5′ ,L,Sterling, Sports Performance VBC, Nebraska
If the USA Volleyball Youth National team thinks your’e good, you must be good. Rodriguez was one of two liberos named to the Under 18 team that won the World Championships on September 5-14 2019. Against Italy in the gold- medal match, she had 60% on 25 chances, as they won the five set match, 25-17, 19-25, 25-18, 22-25, and 15-10. In 2018 for Sterling, Rodriguez has 656 digs, 529 serve receptions, and 30 aces in 88 sets played. She returned from her trip and started where she left off, leading Sterling to a two set victory over Rock Island.
Hattie Monson, 2020, L, Benet, Sports Perfoormance VBC, Notre Dame
They teach you to get your body to the ball, feet first and other verbage about “getting there.” When ball travels too fast and untouched, sometimes you have to dive and reach out and hope you make the play. At the Wheaton Classic I saw Monson make more one handed passes than football player Odell Beckham has made one handed receptions. The difference is Monson’s touches went back to the setter who could run a perfect offense.
There’s no doubt she’s one of the best in the state. The University of Notre Dame thought so. They signed her to a scholarship. You can tell just from watching her play, Monson’s something special. Not everyone has what she has. She plays the ball before it even leaves the hitters swing. It’s like a mental telepathy: Monson can read where the ball is going before it gets there. She led Benet to a three set victory over Marist in the Wheaton Classic and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
Mairead Boyle, 2020, 5’6, L, Marist, Michio VBC, Western Michigan
A team can’t obtain one state title, or even think about a second title without supyrb passing. Boyle brings that a team with talent, strength and the ability to be an offensive power. Without the stable defense provided by Boyle, its hard to consider that this team will win a third consecutive title.
Britt Soudan, 2020, 5’6, L, New Trier, Adversity VBC, Indiana
Playing on a team that is hanging around, looking for a chance at a state title, means that position players need to play at the highest level. Soudan is no exception. Coming from a club program easily one of the best, not even in the state but the nation, Soudan makes the ability to run an offense, easy for New Trier.
Grace Hinchman, 2020, 5’7, L, Geneva, Fusion VBC, Loyola-Chicago
Leading her team in 2018 with 568 digs in 85 sets, Hinchman also adds 376 serve receive passes with only 22 reception errors. Geneva fell to St. Charles North in a 4A State Regional Championship title bout. Hinchman led Geneva to a revenge victory over St. Charles North on September 16, 2019, with ten digs in the match. SHe is one more speedy backrow player that lights up the court with her outstanding play.