We're nearing the end of October and the NCAA D3 volleyball is coming to a close soon.
We've seen some outstanding performances this year and, in volleyball, one of the most exciting positions comes out of the back row where the defensive specialists and liberos roam.
They have been digging out kills all season and here are five candidates for the best at the position. You decide which one you dig more by voting in the poll below. The poll closes Monday, October 31 at noon Pacific.[divider]
Jesse Koster, Dallas
The BR-162 Crusaders haven't had the best of season this year, sitting at 13-17 and 5-9 in the SCAC, but Koster has had one of the best seasons in the nation.
Koster, who is listed as an outside hitter/libero, is a unique player and she is the only libero in the nation who is averaging more than seven digs per set.
Her 7.43 digs per set leads the nation.[divider]
Shanee Herd, St. Catherine
Much like Koster and Dallas, the BR-147 Wildcats have been struggling this year, 13-16 and 1-9 MIAC, but Herd is having another stellar season.
Herd was a Second Team Preseason Hero Sports All-American, with 6.19 digs per set last year and this season she's only upped her game to 6.36 per set, seventh best in the nation.
Her digs per set is also the most in the MIAC, which is the fifth best conference according our Conference Power Rankings.[divider]
Macey Terhell, Augsburg
Unlike the other two programs listed above, the BR-25 Auggies are having a strong season and a big part of that has been the play of Macey Terhell.
The sophomore libero is behind only Herd in the MIAC in digs per set (6.06) and is 13th in the nation overall.
In her freshman year, Terhell had a respectable season with 4.98 digs per set, but she has really upped her game this year and she's helped boost Augsburg to an unbeaten record in the MIAC.[divider]
Alexis Thompson, Hope
The BR-19 Dutch are having a strong season at 22-4 and 12-2 in the MIAA, and Thompson has played a major role in the season with 5.87 digs per set, 17th in the nation.
Last season Thompson had only 2.86 digs per set as she had to split the backcourt with Allie Mitchell (4.77) and Lauren Hazekamp (3.40).
But this season she's controlled the backcourt by herself with a little help from her setter Sophia Hackett (2.97 digs) and outside hitter Sarah Feldpausch (2.26).[divider]
Mikena Warner, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps
The BR-2 Athenas went unbeaten through the first seven weeks of the season before finally taking a couple losses last week.
The team's run had a lot to do with the play from Warner, who has 5.72 digs per set (23rd in the nation).
CMS has a strong backcourt with seven athletes averaging more than two digs per set and three above three per set. But Warner is the leader of the pack.
The Athenas are a half game behind Cal Lutheran in the SCIAC, which is the fourth ranked conference, and Warner is the best in the conference at what she does.
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Who is the Best Libero in D3 Women’s Volleyball?
