Part 2 Best of the “Bros”: Intangibles of the Libero

Taylor Morey, former Badger, now trains defensive players at Milwaukee Sting.

Welcome to Part 2 of Best of the “Bros”.  In Part 1, the discussion was centered around how the time has come for the libero to be among those considered for “Player of the Year” in conferences and states, even at the collegiate level.  Now liberos are getting scholarship money early!  10-15 years ago it was unheard of for liberos talked about for scholarships.  The topic is different depending on the program and level, but without a solid first contact, it is impossible to run a clean offense.

The libero can often be a floor captain, always on the floor, and involved in almost every play.  There is a certain prestige, a badge of honor of wearing the “other jersey”.  Liberos obviously need the physical tools to be good, but the great ones also have the intangibles that you won't always see on a stat sheet. 

Taylor Morey, a former Munciana and Wisconsin Badger standout, is now working for Milwaukee Sting training young liberos and future defensive standouts.  

“Great liberos are able to manipulate the ball and create opportunities for their teams to score. Instead of just playing/touching the ball, they are able to make controlled plays, putting their teams in the best situation to run the offense,” Morey said.  

Morey also said there are many intangibles that go into being a libero that aren’t just being able to put up a great pass (although that is pretty important as well).  

“Bring your voice! It's important for liberos to establish their presence in the backrow. Have a little bit of swag, confidence and play free. A libero who communicates and demands the back court makes players around them confident.”

Here are a few more from the backrow that are some of the “Best of the Bros”.

Kaitlyn Gehler - Lakeside Lutheran - Capital Volleyball Academy (Pictured on Title)

Committed to Green Bay

A dynamic & explosive backcourt player who is equally strong on the defensive side of the ball as she is in the serve receive portion of the game. She has a tenacity and feel for where the ball is going as evidenced by her achieving over 2000 digs in her high school career. She brings a competitive personality to the court which makes players around her better. Kaitlyn has great control of her platform and is more than capable of handling the second ball and distributing to attackers when needed. She will be heading to Green Bay with All State Honors and a state title with Lakeside Lutheran she earned this past fall.

Jessica Grabowski - Greendale - Milwaukee Sting

Committed to Milwaukee

Grabowski is staying close to home and going just down the road to be a Panther at UW-Milwaukee.  With over 1500 digs in her career at Greendale, she was also able to lead her team to the state tournament from the backcourt three years in a row. 

Grace Novotny - DSHA - Milwaukee Sting

Committed To Michigan Tech

Novotny is a pure athlete that can play on the outside or anchor the backrow as a libero.  She was on the 2015 State Title team at DSHA and made state tournament appearances the past two seasons for the Dashers.  She is strong, physical, and athletic with an extremely high volleyball IQ.  Novotny finished her career with over 1500 digs, including over 600 this past season.  Michigan Tech was an at large qualifier for the NCAA D2 Tournament.  

Paige Jaeger - Oconomowoc - Milwaukee Sting

Committed to Stony Brook

Behind every great team, there is a libero holding down the backcourt.  Jaeger was a natural fit for the libero position at Oconomowoc after the graduation of Natalie Perrault.  Jaeger finished the season with over 500 digs.  She will continue her volleyball career at Stony Brook which was a conference champion and qualifier in the NCAA D1 Tournament.  

Sarah Malone - Waunakee - Capital Volleyball Academy

Uncommitted - Class of 2019

Malone is also a track athlete at Waunakee and is in her school’s orchestra where she plays the cello.  Clearly someone who is smart and determined to be successful at multiple things is a great quality for a libero.  She was an honorable mention All State athlete with 674 digs for the Warriors this year, which earned a trip the WIAA Division 1 Tournament.  An athlete and student of this quality would be a solid pick up for any college volleyball program.  

Caitlyn Crawford - Oconomowoc - Milwaukee Sting

Uncommitted - Class of 2020

Oconomowoc is emerging as a state powerhouse the past three seasons and is also becoming one of the top programs for liberos.  Natalie Perrault, a 2017 graduate from Oconomowoc was the libero for their 2015 runner-up finish and is now at USC - Aiken while Paige Jaeger mentioned above is a Class of 2018 athlete that has signed on to play at Stony Brook.  Crawford will look to take on libero duties for Oconomowoc and will be a solid player for Milwaukee Sting 16 Gold that has the talent and depth to be among one of the elite teams in the nation.  

Kaleigh Fitzgerald - Kettle Moraine - Milwaukee Sting

Uncommitted - Class of 2020

Fitzgerald will be playing for Milwaukee Sting 15 White this year after a stellar year for Kettle Moraine.  She is a Class of 2020 athlete that tallied 556 digs this season, which equaled 5.5 digs per set.  

Amber Bischel - Germantown - Wisconsin Juniors

Uncommitted - Class of 2020

In only two season of varsity volleyball for Germantown, Bischel has over 1000 digs.  She should get plenty of looks from college coaches this year, playing for Wisconsin Juniors this upcoming club season.