Part 1 – Best of the “Bros”: Top Liberos To Be Next Player of the Year?

The time has come, the libero (or “The Bro) needs to be considered for “Player of the Year” accolades.  The libero, which started in the early 2000s at the National and International level and at the high school level in the mid 2000s has become more than just the unsung hero of the team.  The libero isn’t just for the shortest girl on the team either.  For Team USA, they have experimented with former Penn State standout, Megan Courtney (who is 6’1) at the libero position.  

Often times the setter is referred to as the quarterback of the team, but a valid argument would be to say the libero is more comparable to a quarterback making calls to the hitters on what is open, making the routine pass while also the dig of a hard driven ball, telling the blockers if there is a split, or the vocal leader who is getting their team to the next level.  Athleticism, consistency, discipline, and grit are what the libero needs to excel at an elite level.  Here are some of the top ones from Wisconsin this past year.

Liberos Who Could Make An Argument To Be Player of the Year

Class of 2018

Katie Shoessow - Mukwanago - Milwaukee Sting

Committed to Marquette

Scott Blackmon, Coach at Milwaukee Sting on Schoessow: “She may be one of the quickest, if not the quickest kids I’ve had.

She also reads extremely well and is very good at identifying what is happening on the other side of the net both offensively and defensively. She is always communicating with our attackers about what is open, what’s going on with the (opponents) block, and opponents tendencies. She roams the court between points and makes it a priority to touch base with each player, on the floor. She’s a great communicator and a great teammate for our 18 Gold crew.”  Shoessow will be heading to Marquette for her college volleyball career.  She was able to lead her high school team at Mukwanago to the WIAA State Tournament as well as All State honors.  

Class of 2019

Dru Kuck - Sheboygan North - Milwaukee Sting

Committed to Wisconsin

Kuck was quick to land on the college radar, but quick to make her verbal commitment to the Badgers as a Freshman.  It doesn’t take long to see the impact that Kuck has on the court, lifting up the level of play of her teammates with her fierce intensity.  She has been an integral part of Sheboygan North’s surge to one of the top teams in NE Wisconsin and compete with some of the greats around the state.  This past season Kuck was a 3rd Team All State while leading North to a 39-4 record with 527 digs.  Blackmon on Kuck: “Dru Kuck is a very strong kid. She defends like she’s grown up playing sand ball most of her life. She’s a very smooth and physical athlete. Dru plays at a high level and when the level increases, she answers the call as well as anyone. She’s the type of kid that will steal a kill from a great attack and turn it into a great dig.”

Kayla Kraus - Neenah - FC Elite

Committed to Loyola (Chicago)

Kayla Kraus started at libero for perennial powerhouse, Neenah, as a Freshman.  Her Sophomore year, she was able to raise the gold ball with the Rockets winning the 2016 WIAA D1 State Title.  This past season she was named “Player of the Year” for the Fox Valley Association which is an extremely tough conference with the likes of Appleton North and Kimberly.  She is on track to have over 2000 digs for her career at Neenah.

Steve Scheuerell, head coach at Appleton North, has seen Kraus make play after play in the intense, but well respected Neenah/Appleton North rivalry.  The for sure kills players think they have disappear with Kraus, there is no ball she is afraid to go after.  Here are some of Scheuerell’s thoughts on Kraus:

“Kayla is a true competitor each and every play.  She can cover two thirds of the court and get a quality touch on everything.  She is hard nosed and plays the game as if it is reverse dodge ball.  No ball will land near her without a maximum effort.  She leads on the court with her actions and voice, a super teammate and demands the best out of her team and herself on every play.  She will bring success to any team that she is on and has gained the respect of all the players and coaches in our conference.”

Class of 2021

Samantha Naber - Burlington - Milwaukee Sting

Uncommitted

Naber exploded onto the Prep Volleyball scene in Wisconsin with her Burlington Demon teammates this year, winning the 2017 WIAA D1 State Title.  When watching Naber play, there is no way anyone could pick out the Freshman on the court.  She plays the game wise beyond her years with a solid platform and reading the hitters to be in the spot to make the hard driven ball look incredibly routine.  Defense and scrappiness has always been a staple of Burlington volleyball and with Naber in the back, she will be a great example for future defenders in her program and the state to model their game after. Naber earned 2nd Team All State Honors and will play for Milwaukee Sting 15 Gold this year for club.  

Burlington Coach, Teri Leach on Naber: “Sam is a fierce, competitor which makes her such a strong defender bc she sees defense as a personal battle between her and the hitter. She has great foot speed and relentless pursuit.”