LIBERO LETS PASSERS PROSPER:
NEW VOLLEYBALL POSITION A BOON TO THE VERTICALLY CHALLENGED
-Robert Crow, Seattle Post-Intelligencer
October 30, 2003

As Garfield's volleyball team takes to the court, coach Leslie Hamann points out Amanda Jamieson, one of the team's best players.

It takes a second look to realize which one Jamieson is. Even then, amidst the sea of girls approaching 6 feet tall, it's hard to believe the junior is a key part of a team that has had the best season in Garfield history.

Then, the 5-foot-2 wunderkind goes to work, diving all over the court, digging up balls, all while wearing a different jersey than the rest of her teammates.

Such has become the norm across the state thanks to the libero, a new position added to Washington high school volleyball this year.

"It's so nice in general to have the libero position," Jamieson said. "It's hard to play the back row. Passing is where it all starts, and it's nice to have a position that gives it special recognition."

The libero has drastically changed the way teams are approaching defense. Only one player may be labeled the libero before each match, and that player must wear a different jersey than the rest of her teammates.

During the match, the libero must stay on the back line, and is not allowed to serve, or make an attacking hit while the ball is above the net.

"Of all the new rules, this is the only one I really like," said Bothell coach Russ Kerwin, now in his 15th year with the Cougars. "It's changed the level of defense that all teams play."

In order to keep the player on the back line, the libero may be substituted in and out of the match freely, having to sit out only one rally when she comes out of the match. Previously, teams would have defensive specialists, but every time they entered and left the match counted against the team's allotted number of substitutions.

"It's wonderful, because now you can manage the game without worrying about running out of substitutions, and you can always have people at their best positions," Hamann said. "But most importantly, it's made the game more interesting. When the rallies are longer, it adds to the excitement of the game."

It has also allowed some of the area's shorter players to shine.

Since they are often quicker than their taller teammates, the back line is a perfect place for players such as Jamieson to operate. And, with the addition of the libero, these players are able to show their defensive skills throughout the entire match for the first time.

"It's easier to play defense if you're shorter," Hamann said. "They can really scoot around back there. They have that scrappiness, and can move more quickly."

Bothell's libero, senior Kara Longhurst, has that back-line quickness. And, at 5 feet 4, she doesn't have to worry about practicing her spikes, leaving her free to practice digging up her teammate's attempts.

Not that Longhurst wouldn't like to have that chance to slam one down.

"I get to do enough back-row hitting, so that's fine," Longhurst said. "But I would love to be able to play up front and just hit some libero in the head. That would be fun."

Even if Longhurst could attempt a spike, there's a good chance the opposing libero would dig it up and continue the point.

"The long rallies -- that's what makes volleyball exciting," Hamann said. "It gets the crowd excited when somebody's out there diving around and extending the points."

Being a defensive standout isn't all roses, however. Both Jamieson and Longhurst acknowledge being on the short end -- no pun intended -- of jokes from their teammates. Fellow Garfield player Alix Toothman calls Jamieson "Elf foot", while Longhurst's stature has led to her official team nickname.

"They all call me 'Squirt', but I'm used to it," Longhurst said. "I'm short, I'm always going to be short, and I know I'll get guff from other people."

Despite the teasing, however, Longhurst knows her height -- or lack thereof -- helps make her a star in one of high school sports' most unique positions.

"With the libero, if you're too tall, you almost can't play it," Longhurst said. "It's perfect, for us short people, we get our own little niche and our own position to be in.

"It's awesome. Power to the short people."