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

Read through the nominees and cast your vote before the poll closes

Let’s take a close look at some of the top liberos in high school volleyball for the 2023 season in Minnesota.

Plenty of worthy names are on this list, so be sure to read through the nominees and vote in our poll. Voting will close on October 8 at 11:59 p.m.

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Editor’s note: Our corresponding poll is intended to be fun, and we do not set limits on how many times a fan can vote during the competition. This poll is specifically for fans to vote on the players that have been nominated and in no way discredits any other player who may not be mentioned in our poll.

If you are a coach and you'd like to add a nominee before the poll closes, please email butler@scorebooklive.com.

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Top liberos in Minnesota high school volleyball

Rachel Ryan, Kenyon-Wanamingo

 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.” 

McKenna Garr, Rush City

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. 

Hannah Dunsmore, Totino-Grace

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. 

Julia Doherty, Alexandria

 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. 

Allison Banse, Mankato West

 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. 

Kaitlyn Meincke, Rochester Century

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.

Aaliyah Rangaard, Canby

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. 

Brooke Burgemeister, Belle Plaine

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.

Annika Pulju, Sebeka

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.”

Sidney Burley, Prior Lake

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. 

Greta Faber, Osakis

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."

Giselle Thao, East Ridge

Senior

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

Kyla Hellickson, Fillmore Central

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.

Cora Bicknese, Chatfield

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.

Lucy Larson, Northfield

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.

Savannah Meyer, Cleveland

Junior

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

Evelyn Barnett, St. Louis Park

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.

Clara Christ, Chaska

Freshman

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

Grace Therrien, Buffalo

Senior

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

Paola Contreras Diaz, Edina

Junior

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

Nacia Griffen, Hopkins

Senior

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

Ada Pearson, Northern Freeze

Junior

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

Kaitlyn Erickson, Champlin Park

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.

Aly Blomberg, Park Center

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

Alaina Burns, Watertown-Mayer

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. 

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-- Jack Butler | butler@scorebooklive.com | @sblivemn