USAV 18s: Top Liberos

The weekend run at the USAV 18s Girls Junior National Championships is over. It doesn’t mean the coverage has stopped. vballrecruiter.com spent three days roaming the courts and taking in the action. It led us to creating a list of the top liberos we saw competing.

Ella Voegele, MN Select 18-1 – We like the awareness Voegele – who is committed to UNC-Greensboro – plays with. She covers well and was passing consistently when targeted.

Megan Verbeist, Sunshine 18 LA – The USC commit is an easy-going dynamic passer with the ability to make some spectacular saves. She isn’t often challenged in serve receive but when she is she rarely misses her mark.

Gracey Janes, Dynasty 18 Black – Dynasty has to compete on the strength of its passing and ball control. Janes is fiery at times and does her best to pump up teammates after big kills. She’s committed to Rockhurst.

Tatum Thomas, AZ Storm 18 Thunder – A Grand Canyon commit, Thomas is a gamer. She’s quick and covers ground in a hurry. She can been seen flying all over the court in pursuit of the ball.

Emma Farrell, A5 Mizuno 18 Marc – Farrell should excel at Wake Forest, where she is signed. She’s an exceptional talent who takes ownership of the position like few do. She’s absolute nails out of serve receive and is super steady and on point with her defending and ball control.

Saige Damrow, FC Elite 18 Elite – A five-star junior committed to Wisconsin, Damrow has an unassuming nature about her. She has a laidback demeanor and is super smooth. She rarely misses a play and is as automatic as they come out of serve receive.

Skylar McCune, Premier Nebraska 18 Gold – McCune will help make up a strong back row when she gets to Creighton. Though Premier Nebraska had a tough go in Phoenix, McCune shined at the position with her pin-point passing and ability to keep rallies alive.

Gillian Grimes, Adversity 18 Adidas – Grimes recently announced she’s headed to Penn State at the next level. Grimes helped fuel a great run for Adversity with her standout play. She’s spirited and plays with a feistiness.

Jordyn Schilling, Mizuno Long Beach 18 Rockstar – A West Virginia recruit, Schilling is the key part of the Beach defense. She’s steady out of serve receive. She also reads and anticipates well which helps her be in the right spots to make plays.

Naylani Feliciano, Skyline 18 Royal – Skyline boasts a really strong back court, with Feliciano one part of a dynamic duo. She’ll suit up for Miami in the fall and will bring a strong court sense and speed to the next level.

Emily Canaan, Skyline 18 Royal – Canaan has long been one of the better liberos in the class and is committed to Florida. She’s an intense competitor who plays all out and is steady and consistent with her passing.

Gala Trubint, Coast 18-1 – Trubint is part of big incoming class for USC. She’s a calm and stoic libero who is unflappable. She has a high IQ and can frustrate hitters with her ability to pick their shots off.

Zoria Heard, Madfrog 18 Green – A Texas AM-Corpus Christi commit, Heard had a strong weekend in the Madfrog back court. At times, it seemed like she was everywhere keeping rallies going and helping slow down would-be attackers.

Madison Hoffman, Rockwood Thunder 18 Elite – Rockwood Thunder came together to grab a bronze medal, including the play of Hoffman. The Wingate commit was steady all weekend in anchoring the defense and providing consistent play.

Emma Halter, Team Indiana Elite 18.1 – Opponents that know about Halter – a Texas commit – work so hard to keep the ball away from her that she can go stretches without touching the ball. Still, she’s a dynamic player with all the tools to star at Texas. She passes dimes and is a scrappy defender who can hit the floor to make a save.