Game Changing Liberos and Setters at the 501 Volley Invitational

While attackers often steal the spotlight in volleyball, it is liberos and setters who set the pace for the game. These positions require court awareness and high volleyball IQ. From setters who create the fast tempo offense and the liberos that make the impossible possible, this article highlights the players who left a mark at the tournament. These players have the ability to make split second decisions that can alter the momentum of their court.   [player_tooltip player_id='547495' first='Olivia' last='Ambeau'] [player_tooltip player_id='746301' first='Sydney' last='Crowder'] [player_tooltip player_id='751519' first='Lydia' last='Warrior'] [player_tooltip player_id='751961' first='Julia' last='Suggs'] [player_tooltip player_id='286289' first='Rylie' last='Steward'] (Oklahoma)    Ambeau is a very crafty setter running a 6-2. Running a 6-2 showcases both her setting talents and attacking talents. She runs a fast tempo offense which creates chaos against her opponents and kept them guessing. Ambeau is also a very aggressive attacker. She can swing through, around, or over blocks and makes it look easy. Ambeau has a high vertical which gives her an advantage to her attack. She also puts up a tough block in the front row.     Crowder runs a very fast tempo offense which is very difficult to defend. Crowder is good at keeping the opposing teams In chaos. Crowder can set from anywhere on the court and put the ball in a perfect position for her hitters. Crowder has a very good connection with all of her attackers. It is hard for a setter to consistently set her hitters up for success, but Crowder makes it look easy.     Warrior is very scrappy in the back row. She is an aggressive libero. Warrior can read the opposing attackers really well which lets her move for the ball before it reaches her side of the court. Warrior's eye for the attackers hand makes it hard to put the ball down in Warrior's area on the court. She is also very consistent in serve receive allowing her team to be in system.     Suggs is an all around great player. Suggs runs a 6-2 on her FSJ 17-1 team. Suggs has a great connection with her middles which is very key to a dangerous offense. Suggs can force the middles very well in tough positions. Suggs is also very scrappy, picking up tips or roll shots very well. Despite her height, Suggs is a very aggressive hitter. Consistently keeping the opposing defense guessing. Suggs effort in the back row is unmatched. Suggs makes some crazy plays with her hustle and grit.     Steward is a smart and crafty setter. She can manipulate the opposing blockers to give her attackers an open net. In the third set for Charge, Steward kept her team calm and pushed them to make plays that led them to win the tie breaking set. Her athleticism was easily shown when Steward pushed the ball from one corner to the opposite pin. Steward can take over any game and give her attackers confidence in pressure situations.

While attackers often steal the spotlight in volleyball, it is liberos and setters who set the pace for the game. These positions require court awareness and high volleyball IQ. From setters who create the fast tempo offense and the liberos that make the impossible possible, this article highlights the players who left a mark at the tournament. These players have the ability to make split second decisions that can alter the momentum of their court.