Here are my top five returning liberos for this season.
There were a few on here that felt like sure things, but I think this was the hardest position to choose just five. Picking seven would have been easy, but five made for some really difficult decisions that some might really disagree with. That’s the fun of it, though, and it can all change on the court this season — and likely will.
1. Gillian Grimes, Penn State
LIBERO KILL! | Gillian Grimes
— Penn State Women’s Volleyball (@PennStateVBALL)
Gillian Grimes returns to Penn State as a national champ and one of the top liberos in the nation. She is as steady as they come in the backcourt — she hasn't gotten enough credit for how good she is — while passing over 60% in system last year with 3.92 digs per set. Really set up Izzy Starck nicely all season.
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2. Maya Sands, Missouri
AMAZING DIGS by Maya Sands and Jordan Iliff followed by a Marina Crownover KILL to secure the dub!!🔒🔥🐯🏐
— Mizzou Volleyball (@MizzouVB)
Maya Sands at Missouri is a sure thing on this list. She was the only libero named to the AVCA Player of the Year preseason watch list after posting 4.53 digs per set last season — crazy numbers. Over 69% of those digs resulted in an attack, and she passed over 61% in the system. Wow.
3. Molly Tuozzo, Kentucky
AMAZING DIGS by Maya Sands and Jordan Iliff followed by a Marina Crownover KILL to secure the dub!!🔒🔥🐯🏐
— Mizzou Volleyball (@MizzouVB)
Next, I've got Molly Tuozzo at Kentucky, another underrated player, but a really strong defender and passer, great out of system sets for the Wildcats. She took over the starting position last season and helped lead them far into the tournament.
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Here is where it gets tough. We have some position battles going on at multiple programs, and I can't hand out ties.
4. Ramsey Gary, Texas
S2 | What a save from Ramsey 🔥 |
— Indiana Volleyball (@IndianaVB)
I am going with Texas' Ramsey Gary. Her numbers at Indiana last year were just astronomical, and she now will likely have an even stronger block at Texas as either a libero or a defensive specialist. She had 4.06 digs per set last season. It's going to be a battle at Texas for that libero spot, but I am going with Gary for this top-5 list based on last season.
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Finally, I had some issues deciding between Laney Choboy and Olivia Mauch at Nebraska. Either one could be starting libero and top-5 on this list. Obviously, both were defensive specialists last year, which makes this difficult here — and I am really glad I am not Dani Busboom Kelly to make this decision.
5. Laney Choboy, Nebraska
S2 | What a save from Ramsey 🔥 |
— Indiana Volleyball (@IndianaVB)
I have Laney Choboy at the number five spot on this list. She brings the fire, the leadership and covers an insane amount of court. She puts her body on the line like no other and has experience to go with it.
CATCH UP: Top 5 returning middles
Honorable mention
Still, I have to shout out to Olivia Mauch and Emma Halter, who could very well be on the list. Some others to watch out for this season include Lola Schumacher at UCLA, Raegan Burns at Kansas, Faith Frame at Arizona State, and so many more.
