Liberos lack in size, not in heart

Have you ever been at a volleyball game, and wondered why one player on each team is  wearing a different-colored jersey than the others? I used to be confused, too. These players are known as “liberos,” which are defensive specialists with no attack responsibilities.

The libero is usually the best passer whose purpose is to add ball control so the rest of the team can effectively run the offense. The libero needs to be able to dig well on defense and get a hand on every ball in order to keep the play alive. It’s been a defensive position since its addition to all levels of volleyball in the U.S., in 1999. The position was created to bring more excitement to the game by keeping plays alive longer, which is why the libero is typically in the game at all times. It’s the only position not limited by rules of rotation, except the liberos are prohibited from playing in the front row as a hitter. They’re also interchangeable – while only one is allowed to play at a time, coaches may sub in one libero for another.

The libero is usually the smallest player on the team, but traditionally also the feistiest. These parameters perfectly define the Saints’ current liberos, Hunter Sterkel and Courtney Smith. Sterkel and Smith have plenty of similarities that help bring the two closer than most tandems. Both are 5-feet, 2-inch freshmen playing hailing from the Eugene area. They played against each other in high school, providing them with a foundation of camaraderie before knowing they’d play on the same side in college – which sounds like an advantage, if you ask me.

It might seem like Sterkel and Smith have lived the perfect libero life, but few collegiate athletes get by without having to persevere through the tough times. Both players suffered early-season concussions and have recovered to come back and help the Saints.