Vote: Who is the top libero in Minnesota high school volleyball?

 Senior

Ryan was third team all-conference last season, after adding to a career digs list which now sits at 812. 

“Rachel shows her leadership by how she plays,” coach Tracy Erlandson said. “She is scrappy and will go after every ball. She is a vocal leader on the court and gives her all and is able to read the court very well.” 

Junior

Garr helped Rush City to a 27-3 record last season and earned herself a spot on the Class AA all-state team as just a sophomore. With two seasons left in her career, Garr has already established herself as one of the class’ top liberos. 

Junior

Dunsmore, a team captain, has been a contributor since she was a freshman at outside hitter and libero, with her ability to read the ball and push her teammates, according to coach Kelsey Rice. 

“She is motivated and determined to get to state,” Rice said. 

 Junior

Doherty was an all-conference player last season and an all-state nominee. 

“Julia [plays] with intensity, competitiveness and solid ball control,” coach Mary Bryne said. 

She was excellent in her first season at libero last year and Bryne is confident she’ll refine those skills even further this year. 

 Senior

Banse was an all-conference libero last season, tallying 306 digs and just under 400 quality service receptions. 

“Allison is literally everywhere on the court,” coach Stacy Jackson said. Mankato West was just 11-14 last season, and Banse will look to help right the ship in 2023. 

Senior

Meincke broke out as a sophomore, when she recorded 522 digs. Last season, she keyed a 26-5 Rochester Century program.

“She makes minimal mistakes and will chase down any ball. She's one of the best liberos in our conference,” Nichelle Guillaume said. 

Meincke was named to the 2022 Big 9 All-Conference team.

Rangaard was a bright spot throughout the 2022 season for Canby. Rangaard collected 385 digs, with an average of 4.3 per set. She also totaled a team-high 551 service receptions. She will be key in 2023 if Canby hopes to build on a 16-15 season last year. 

Junior

Burgemeister powered Belle Plaine to a 27-7 record and a Class AA fifth place finish last season. She led the team with 576 digs, which was the top mark in the state last season, according to Minnesota Volleyball Hub. Burgemeister tallied 20-plus digs in 12 different matches and reached double digits in 27 of 34 games. She also led the team with 195 service receptions.

Junior

This season will be Pulju’s third as a starter. She has previously played libero, where she’s turned in 878 career digs, but due to a lack of hitters this season, will be moving to outside. She was an honorable mention all-conference player last season. 

“[She] has a high volleyball IQ and sees the court well,” coach Becca Pulju said. “She is our floor leader in serve receive, defense and hitting. She has worked hard this off season to get stronger and improve her jumping.”

Sophomore

Prior Lake struggled to a 11-18 record in 2022, but Burley may be the key to a bright future. The freshman libero collected 410 digs — No. 11 state-wide according to MNvolleyballhub. She had 13 matches with 15-plus digs. 

Junior

Faber reached 1,000 digs midway through her sophomore season. She is on track to reach 2,000 by the time she graduates high school. She averages 47 aces a season and serves with great control to all zones.

"Athletically, Greta reads the ball incredibly well," coach Brittney Sadlemyer said. "She is able to accurately call out a hitter's consistent motions on all shots. She instantly adjusts if a setter takes the first ball and has amazing setting ability as well."

Senior

Thao is a DS/L for the Raptors, and she is helping them to a 12-5 record so far this season. 

Sophomore

Hellickson is one of the state leaders in digs this season. She is currently second in the state with 281 digs, and she had a season-high 25 digs in a 3-1 win over La Crescent-Hokah on Sept. 26.

The freshman broke onto the Minnesota high school volleyball scene last season as an eighth grader. This season, she had 208 digs, 237 service receptions to only 17 service errors. She also has 29 aces.

Senior

Larson is a L/DS for the Raiders. She is averaging over 10 digs per game, and she’s fifth in the state in total digs with 213. Larson was named to the 2022 Big 9 All-Conference team.

Junior

Meyer is a DS/L for the Clippers, and she’s helped lead them to a 16-2 record this season.

Junior

Barnett leads St. Louis Park in service receptions this season, and last season she was named to the 2022 Metro West All-Conference team.

Freshman

Christ was the only eighth grader to be named to the Metro West All-Conference team last season. 

Senior

Therrien was named to the 2022 Lake All-Conference team, She has 187 digs, 25 aces and 37 assists this season. 

Junior

She was named to the 2022 Lake All-Conference team as a sophomore, and this season she has 189 digs.

Senior

Griffin is a defensive specialist, Libero for the Royals. She was also a member of the 2022 Lake All-Conference team. 

Junior

Pearson leads Northern Freeze in digs this season as a sophomore, and she led them in digs last season.

Senior

Erickson leads a top Champlin Park team in digs this season with 167 this season. She also has 12 service aces and 31 assists. She was named to the 2022 Northwest Suburban All-Conference team.

Blomberg is a standout for Park Center, and she was named to the 2022 Northwest Suburban All-Conference team last season. 

Sophomore

Burns leads Watertown-Mayer in digs with 70, and she has added eight aces and 42 assists. She was named to the 2022 Northwest Suburban All-Conference team last season.