Lucy Maloney Lucy Maloney 5'5" | DS/L Mother McAuley | 2026 State #150 Nation IL has been soaring up the radar among nationally ranked liberos.  She has been a key piece to the success of a very talented 1st Alliance Class of 2026 squad that took second place in the 16 Open Division at USAV Nationals in 2024.  She has also been the lockdown defender for Mother McAuley, the prestigious high school program out of Chicago where they have a schedule competing against the best in Chicagoland and the nation.  She is currently in postseason mode for the Might Mac’s where she is averaging a mind blowing 7.5 digs per set. Her next move is to Clemson where the Tigers have been building quite the pipeline of Midwest athletes to their program. 

Really really good passer. Has a great motor and creates great angles with her platform to drop dimes to her setter. She moves like a player who is ready to go to battle, always ready! Passes are on the money, and makes great digs on hard hits. Quick feet gets her into position on every play.

Maloney (pictured) has such outstanding rhythm to her passing that they go smoothly to the setters. She does a great job keeping her hands and arms below her hips to make solid contact on balls. Maloney dives to the ground trying to keep plays alive. She brings the lefty dynamic as a server. Her floater is tough to handle.

What a year for Lucy Maloney Lucy Maloney 5'5" | DS/L Mother McAuley | 2026 State #150 Nation IL . She wasn’t even on our Watch List as a 15s and is now a top ten player as one of the top liberos in the Illinois Class of 2026.  She had a huge club season for 1st Alliance 16 Gold where she consistently came up big as their libero.  What is impressive about Maloney is how she is so quietly effective in the back row with a controlled platform and makes everything look easy.  Maloney is very efficient with her footwork, she anticipates well, and is in the right spot at the right time.  She preps at Mother McAuley whose tradition is known throughout the country.  Following high school, she will be heading to Clemson, part of a heavy Illinois Class of 2026 recruiting class. 

Lucy’s ball control is next level. From free balls to powerhouse swings, Lucy can control the ball efficiently. She is quick and dynamic and never seems to run out of energy. She takes up a lot of space on serve receive and is a reliable force in the back row.

Soaring up on the radar, Maloney is a must watch libero prospect.  I continuously say, I like a libero who makes everything look routine and that is Maloney. She has great footwork, platform angles, and is very efficient with her footwork and spacing.  This team is absolutely on fire, building plenty of momentum heading into June 15 as well as going to USAV 16 Open in Vegas.  Maloney is solid, consistent, and has so many big time intangibles in her favor in regards to playing with composure and connecting with her teammates.