The high school volleyball season is almost here and the Class of 2027 looks to be another stellar year for high-level talent.
Today, we begin our position-by-position breakdown of the upcoming season with the libero and defensive specialist spot. In the coming days, we will zero in on outside hitters, middle blockers and setters. We will also unveil the
Preseason MaxPreps All-America Team and the MaxPreps Top 25 before spotlighting the best team and player in each state.
To start, these 10 defensive-minded standouts have demonstrated through their prep careers, as well
as club seasons, that they are the anchors of the program. While the
stats might not be as quantifiable as the termination numbers of an
outside hitter, everything starts with the serve reception and defense.
Cora Bicknese, Chatfield (Minn.)5-7 | Committed to Michigan State
The Class AA player has big-time game with 471 digs, 434 kills and 403 serve receptions as the Gophers went 27-8 and reached the state final.
5-foot-9 | Committed to LouisvilleThe Hawks went 30-6 and captured the Class 6A title with Bower anchoring the defense. She had 422 digs and 333 serve receptions.
5-5 | Committed to Kansas
Notched 427 serve receptions and 355 digs as the 38-5 Falcons won the San Diego Section Open title and finished No. 9 in the MaxPreps Top 25.
Piper Hanson, Creswell (Ore.)
5-7 | Committed to OregonA Class 3A first team All-State performer, she had 627 kills and 525 digs for the Bulldogs
5-6 | Committed to Indiana
The anchor of the Griffins' defense, she tallied 403 digs as Los Alamitos went 27-9 in 2025.
5-5 | Committed to Arkansas
Did a bit of everything for the Cougars with 616 digs, 539 receptions, 161 assists and 63 aces as Tomball went 41-7 and reached the Conference 6A Division 2 state semifinals.
5-2 | Uncommitted
She could reached 2,000 career digs this season after posting 693 digs and 668 serve receptions for the 31-11 Panthers as a junior.
5-6 | Committed to Nebraska
After 1,000 digs as a freshman and sophomore, Johnson was needed at outside hitter for the Bulldogs as a junior and posted 351 kills last year as Byron Center went 38-6-2 and reached the Division 1 state semifinals.
5-8 | Committed to TCU
The 38-1 Titans won their second straight Class B state title as Lottman posted 403 serve receptions, 324 digs, 266 kills and 82 aces.
5-8 | Committed to Alabama
The Cougars went 42-8-1 with Stepp holding down the back row with 524 serve receptions and 335 digs. Her sister, Avery, added 444 receptions and 205 digs as well.
