Newland is a DS/L prospect for the defending DV state champs in Lake Catholic. She competes with RockCity 16N1 in the libero jersey, bringing some electric effort in the full range of tools she has in her arsenal. Where she stands out the most is in her defense and the intangible support she provides to cover hitters, take the second ball, and in her display of hustle. Uncommitted, she has the competitive experience and mindset to be able to contribute more as the Cougars look to repeat once again this next fall as she continues to pursue and identify where she’ll impact the game at the next level.

Newland (*pictured) continues to display why she should be considered a high value libero prospect in this class. She performs the details of this role well, which helps her efficiency and impact for her teams. She moves well maintaining balance and quickness both in serve receive and defense, while controlling her platform and angles to create good opportunities for her setter. Competing for RockCity ‘s top 17U team, one that features some high level attackers, she is a critical part of their effort and ability to score through their strengths.

Newland was impressive in the libero jersey for her RockCity club team over recent months. She has improved her court presence and impact with her ability to read and react with quickness and a good first step that can create a lot of range. She has good defensive tools to dig with her platform or make a big effort to increase creating opportunities for her team’s transition with her pursuit of the ball. Her serve receive impact is also key as she shows good efficiency to move on balance and create good angles to put her setter in system often. In 2024 for Lake Catholic, Newland picked up just over 100 digs on the season. Look for her impact to grow in 2025.

Newland (*pictured) is currently among the top libero prospects in this 2027 Ohio class. She anchors this team’s passing as well as defensively primarily from the left back position. She reacts well to what she sees, including filling space behind the block to be able to make a play on a hard hit ball traveling untouched at the net. Her balance defensively also helps her to create good range as she has quickness in her first step to help her cover a lot of court in all directions.

Newland is another DS/L prospect that is garnering good attention given her tools in the first-contact aspects of the game. She reads well and picks up a lot of balls. As with the other top liberos in this class at this rankings cycle, Newland earned playing time for her tradition-rich Lake Catholic high school team, earning just ahead of 100 total digs in 2024. That experience will continue next fall coming off this competitive club season for RockCity so expect the quality of her dig touches to become more accurate more often.

Newland is another prospect that engages at a high level year-round. I think this is especially valuable for a DS/L type of athlete to consistently be exposed to big pressure on the ball control side of the game. She works hard to create midline opportunities in her serve receive as she moves with good body position and purpose to maintain her balance. Defensively, those same mechanics allow her to create good results in all directions whether to the floor or overhead.