Top '28 Liberos out of the Lakes

Cala Haffner - Diamond - Pineapple High Performance 

What can be said about Cala Haffner that hasn’t already been said? She is a rare Diamond-level libero prospect who excels in every facet of the game, which is why she’s racked up accolades like AVCA All-Region honors, is a mainstay at NTDP sessions, and has already won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2025 NORCECA U19 Pan American Cup. Haffner is not just the kind of defender who keeps the ball from touching the floor, but one who reliably digs the ball right on target to her setter to create attacking opportunities. Even when opponents get an open net, Haffner is already reading exactly where they’re going to swing and getting the ball up.

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Chloe Ritchie - Elite Red - Munciana

One of several Munciana liberos on this list, Chloe Ritchie stands out as the most elevated of the group. With national recognition including being honored as a 2025 AAU All-American and the 2025 UA Next MVP, she is the complete libero package. She anchors her team with rock-solid passing and routinely makes rally-saving plays. Beyond her defense and ball control, she is a very strong out-of-system setter, regularly dishing balls to her pins that end as a point for her squad.

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Lola Loncar - Elite Red - AVC

Rock solid in reception and willing to pursue any ball, Lola Loncar has emerged as one of the top liberos in a class that is already stacked with defensive talent. Not only has her smart positioning and command of the back court earned her multiple state championships with Lake Catholic’s varsity team, but she has also earned national attention. She was an alternate on the first-ever USA U17 National Team squad, has attended several NTDP sessions, and was named to the 2025 AVCA Phenom Watchlist.

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Ashlyn Pelon - Red - Legacy

With multiple NTDP sessions, a JVA All-National Team selection, and a place on the 2025 AVCA Phenom Watch List under her belt, Ashlyn Pelon has gained well-earned attention for her excellent passing and dedicated floor defense. Even as part of a very talented Legacy squad, her presence is immediately noticeable—not because she’s flashy, but because she’s always there under the ball even when you think the point is surely over. 

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Maggie Timmerman - Red - Tri-State Elite

A member of the back-to-back Ohio Division 1 State Championship-winning Seton Hall High varsity team, Maggie Timmerman is a proven winner who has received several NTDP session invites thanks to her strong game sense and high-level passing. She is a gritty defender who regularly racks up multiple digs in the same rally, and overall brings a clear sense of leadership to her Tri-State Elite team.

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Brooke Neale - Red - Munciana

A highly cerebral and physically commanding libero, Brooke Neale brings elite volleyball IQ and exceptional leadership to the backcourt. She possesses a natural ability to read opposing offenses and simplify the game through precise positioning and seamless communication. Her gritty, relentless defensive style has anchored her squads during high-stakes matchups, resulting in an AAU National Championship and podium finishes at events like the Triple Crown NIT. As a rock-solid prospect within a deeply talented class, her steady baseline play and knack for making momentum-shifting saves continue to elevate her national profile.

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Kennedy Hummert - Red - 3DGE

Kennedy Hummert is a highly efficient, fast-rising libero who stands out for her exceptional court awareness, quick reflexes, and relentless floor leadership. Competing against elite competition for both high-level club teams and Seneca Valley High School—where she set a single-season record of 345 digs—she consistently keeps her team in system with her polished footwork and impressive defensive range. Her standout athleticism and steady play have earned her spots on the 2025 AVCA Phenom Watchlist and the 2026 JVA All-Star list.

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Kinsley Whitfield - Red - FaR Out VBC

Kinsley Whitfield moves about the court with a fluidity and ease to her that is reminiscent of liberos like recent Stanford grad Elena Oglivie. She is a strong passer, adjusting well to all types of serves, and she does a nice job taking a load off of her outsides by poaching the pass when needed. Defensively, she is very steady, always managing to be under the ball to keep her team in the point.

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Stella Cawley - Elite Orange - Happy Volley Academy

With standout performances for both State College Area High and Happy Volley, Stella Cawley is rapidly cementing herself as a premier backrow defender in this class. Her exceptional ball control—highlighted by an impressive 2.4 passing average—earned her All-State, All-District, and First Team All-Conference honors in Pennsylvania. Beyond local success, her defensive skills have garnered national attention through selections to the UA Next Invite and NTDP programs. This extensive exposure has fueled college camp participation at programs like Tennessee, Auburn, Michigan, and Creighton.

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Carsyn Chitty - Elite Orange - Mintonette

Carsyn Chitty is a defender who both reads the game well and has a very fast reaction time, which makes it especially difficult to put a ball down anywhere near her. She controls heavily driven balls with ease and, just when opposing blockers think they’ve got a stuff, she’s right underneath her hitters to keep the ball alive. She also has demonstrated some nice out-of-system setting mechanics that, with further development, will make her even more complete as a libero.

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Reagan Futa - Elite Orange - Munciana

An endlessly dynamic and highly versatile backrow anchor for Munciana, Reagan Futa’s proactive reading of hitters and low center of gravity means that there is nowhere safe to hit when she’s on the floor. Her composure and reliability under pressure has earned her All-State Honorable Mention honors as a freshman as well as invites to select camps at programs like Michigan State, South Florida, and Clemson.

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Kyla Hurley - Elite Orange - Pineapple HP

Kyla Hurley is a relentless backrow player who balances high-level offense with consistently stable serve receive. Her composure and high level of play has allowed her to play up an age group at Pineapple and also earned her a place on the AVCA Phenom Watchlist and an invite to UA Next. Having attended camps at top programs like Texas A&M and Tennessee, her development continues to trend upward, solidifying her as one of this class’s premier libero prospects.

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Anna Mitz - Orange - Evansville Attack

With Anna Mitz, the first thing you notice is how speedy she is. Whether she’s adjusting her footing in serve receive as she perfectly follows the trajectory of a serve or chasing down a ball off an errant dig, she is incredibly fast and determined. There’s an intensity about her that makes her both fun and impressive to watch, and she is the definition of a libero who is willing to “sacrifice her body” to keep the point alive. 

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Morgan Choi - Orange - Adversity

Morgan Choi out of Glenbrook North High and Adversity VBC is exactly the kind of steady presence teams want in a serve reception lineup. She consistently passes dimes right to her setter and makes it look easy. Defensively, she moves around the court with efficiency and is quick to get on the ground for impressive saves. At the high school level, she was a 2025 All-Conference selection in the Central Suburban League, and led the league in digs in both 2024 and 2025. Nationally, she’s received several UA Next invites, was named to the JVA National Watchlist, and captured first place at AAU Nationals in 2022.

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Stella Hamood - Orange - Circle City

Stella Hamood isn’t the flashiest libero on this list, but that is not at all a knock on her skills—all of which she does at a high level. When watching her, it’s clear that she has a high volleyball IQ and is anticipating opposing attacks well in advance, allowing her to be perfectly positioned to make a dig right to target rather than needing to make a huge dive to get to the ball. She is also steady in serve receive and does a nice job covering her hitters off the block, plus she will chase down any ball if it means keeping her team in the point.

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Kaitlyn Koceski - Orange - Legacy

In the best way possible, Kaitlyn Koceski is a highlight reel waiting to happen. She is the type of defender who makes audiences say, “how did she get that ball up?” We’ll tell you how—lightning quick reaction speed, a good read of the game, and defensive hustle that is reminiscent of current NCAA standouts like Ramsey Gary. She also is remarkably adept at poaching passes, covering a lot of lateral ground quickly and still getting the ball perfectly on top of the setter’s head. It’s these qualities that earned her the title of Defensive Player of the Year at Novi High School this past season.

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Ava Calle - Orange - 1st Alliance

Ava Calle has rapidly emerged as a high-level backrow talent in the 2028 class, showcasing exceptional defensive instincts and on-court poise. She’s received honors like the GCAC Junior Varsity MVP title, a spot on the JVA All-National Team, and a ranking among the IMG Academy Top 150 Players. Additionally, she recently spearheaded major national victories, capturing both the 2026 MEQ and WCNQ 16USA Championships while claiming tournament MVP recognition in the 16 USA division. This proven track record in high-pressure environments, along with her inclusion on the AVCA Phenom Watch List, highlights her upside as a rising national prospect.

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Giulia Reginelli - Orange - AVC

Giulia Reginelli’s on-court composure and maturity has been evident since her freshman season at Padua franciscan High School, when she averaged 4.3 digs per set and received Second Team All-Conference and All-District Honorable Mention honors. Watching her, it’s clear she does more than just react to what’s happening on the court; she reads the game and anticipates opposing hitters to maximize her defensive coverage and range. In addition to her defense, she is a steady passer and moves fluidly around the court in a way that keeps her team in the point without getting in the path of her hitters.