Mara has established herself as a force in Class 5, leading the division with an astonishing 640 digs last season, bringing her career total to 1,281. She made history at Nixa by breaking the single-season dig record not once, but twice—first with 626 digs in her sophomore year and then surpassing it again in her junior year. Known as a ball-hogging libero, Mara’s agility and presence in the passing lanes make her a standout player. With her relentless pursuit of the ball, she’s bound to attract attention from college programs looking for defensive talent.

Perhaps no libero is making a louder statement than Coulter, who leads Class 5 with 335 digs, averaging an incredible 6.1 per set. Small but mighty, she epitomizes toughness and grit, throwing herself into every rally and setting the tone for her team’s defensive intensity.

Mara has been on fire, especially in matches against Jefferson City schools. She reached a career high of 38 digs during a tough 21-25, 25-21, 22-25, 18-25 loss to the Helias Crusaders. She then followed that performance with 32 digs in a thrilling 3-2 victory over Jefferson City, demonstrating her defensive skills and determination.

Mara Coulter Mara Coulter 5'4" | DS/L Nixa | 2027 State MO of Nixa is small but mighty, bringing relentless energy and toughness to the floor. What she lacks in size, she makes up for with her willingness to sacrifice her body, chase down balls in impossible spaces, and keep rallies alive. Coulter’s scrappiness and competitive fire make her a player no opponent wants to see on the other side of the net.

Another exciting defender to watch in the class is the 5’4″ Coulter. She made some jumps in this ranking due to her high-level play this spring with 417 Juniors. She is dependable in the passing game and makes play after play behind the block.