Mac Digs into 2027 Liberos

I am back in the lab this week and tackling the 2027 liberos. One thing about me is I love a great libero. As a setter, anyone whose job it is to get me the ball should be my best friend, so over the years I have definitely given my fair share of love to my bros. One thing I love about some of the best bros I have played with over the years is the “chip” that they have on their shoulder. The libero is generally the smallest and shortest on the court but more often than not they would be the first ones to go to battle for a teammate and are the biggest cheerleaders. A libero to me is tiny but mighty.

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Here is a list of a few liberos in the 2027 class that already have quite the court presence: 

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Gemma Hopkins, Houston Jrs, PPV 262- This should be obvious. She is one of the best bros out there. Her court presence is evident. Her ability to read a tip and better the ball is so impressive. She knows what she's doing and she's someone I would want passing me balls.

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Pulelehua Laikona, AZ Storm, PPV 255- One thing I love about her is how different her film is. She shows herself making hard plays in her breakdown & that's hard to find in “highlights”. Also reads well to make plays.

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Ansley Shafer, TAV, PPV 238- She has fast feet. Good OOS setter, which is so important in the college game. Has decent range on Defense. Good control in serve receive.

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Olivia Badyna, OTVA, PPV 125- I think this is a PPV we can expect to go up very soon. She moves really well on defense and makes some GREAT plays. Seems really firey and is a player I would love to get to chat with.

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Anela Wailani, Revolution Volleyball, PPV 212- My exception to the smallest player on the court. She's a 5-10 libero which gives her some crazy range. She's been playing middle back a lot in High School which allows her to make plays in BOTH corners really well.

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Dakota Huynth, Skyline Jrs, PPV 218- Really good range! Plays to her right really well. Picks up tips in the donut well. Seems to have good energy on the court too. 

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Mallory Johnson, Far Out VBC, PPV 215- I can definitely see her PPV going up in the very near future. Her OOS setting is impressive. She has a highlight of a push from off the court in the left front all the way across to the right side… wow! Also reacts really well from a reading perspective. 

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Lyndsey Robinson, Munciana, PPV 212- There is a reason there have been so many D1 liberos coming out of Munciana, Robinson is no different. Very technically sound and a very disciplined defensive player. She works from the outside in on the court really well.

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These are some girls that by the looks of their film, I want them on my side if I ever ended up in a dark alley. I've talked to quite a few coaches over the years and the girls that end up with the libero jersey in college know how to go to battle for their teammates. They are relentless on defense and they are always up for a challenge.