What is the toughest position in all of team sports to play?

Some might say an ice hockey goalie, a football linebacker, or a baseball catcher.After understanding what this relatively unknown position requires, an argument can be made that the toughest position to play is the volleyball libero.By definition, "libero" is an Italian word that means "free." In a general sense, the volleyball libero is "free" to roam the back line on the court and since she is technically not considered a substitute when entering the game from the bench, then she is "free" to enter the field of play without the official pausing the action to re-enter her like he does for all other substitutes.The libero, like the hockey or soccer goalie, is essential to her team's defensive success, but she can also be instrumental in her team's failure to win a match. Though this position may be physically demanding, it also requires an extremely intense mental focus. The libero is the "designated digger" and the one who keeps the ball in play to the setter who then lifts the ball for the kill shot. Unlike setters and front line players who, even if they shank a shot out of bounds, can still recover to score points for their team, the libero can shank a shot too, but most often she does not score points for her team unless she serves. She can either keep the ball in play or cost them points on the scoreboard by her failure to dig the ball to the setter.John Gesiskie, head volleyball coach at Pleasant Valley, says that the libero is a highly specialized position that requires incredible physical and mental effort."By rule, the libero can only hit the ball if it is below the net," he says. "It's really a die hard position and very important to the team. The libero has to anticipate where each opponent's shot will go and she must make an attempt to keep every ball in play."Gesiskie speaks about how the libero must have a "total focus to read the ball.""She is trained to watch the hand and the shoulder of the opponent who is hitting the ball over the net to anticipate the direction of the ball. She must also keep her legs underneath her and be able to get to the spot where the ball will go so she can keep it in play."The position, introduced to the high school game in 2005, is optional. Some schools may not have a player skillful enough to play libero or they would rather maintain an even rotation as well as equal substitution. The libero is considered a replacement not a substitute. She wears a contrasting color jersey, different from her teammates, so that the officials can quickly identify the position and not have to pause the game each time she enters the court. She can serve only for the player she replaces, and she rotates only along the back line. Upon a coach's decision, the libero can remain on the court for most of, if not the entire game."This position has revolutionized the game," says Gesiskie. "It has made volleyball much more exciting too because the volleys back and forth are much longer before points are scored."Senior libero, Kalli Walling has been playing this position at Pleasant Valley for just this year and has learned that since she is in the game more than most of her teammates, she needs both mental and physical stamina to be successful."I like being in the game a lot, and feeling tired afterwards is the result of my effort," "she says. "Not only am I responsible for keeping the ball in play from the back line, I am very vocal too, always encouraging my teammates to keep their heads up and stay positive with their efforts."Walling focuses on the hand positions of her opponents' deep volleys and maintains a controlled discipline when the ball enters her back line zone."I can't be too aggressive," she says. "If the ball comes above my shoulder, I have to let it go because it will be out of bounds."Endurance, mental focus and higher risk of injury all come with playing the position of libero. Just last week Walling banged heads with a teammate in an attempted dig."There is certainly an increased chance of concussion, knee injury, and hip injury for the libero because she generally slams her body on the hardwood floor more than anyone else playing the other positions," says Gesiske.Tamaqua's head coach, Stacy Setlock believes that the utilization of a libero can either help or hurt a team when it comes to game strategy."Because she plays much of the match, an opponent can purposely try to hit the ball to the libero to tire her out," says Setlock. "On the other hand, if she proves she's really good, then the opponent's strategy is to try to keep the ball away from her. The libero is definitely a major factor in determining how to attack an opponent."Setlock, like Gesiske, looks for a certain "attitude" in choosing a player for the libero position."There's a bit of reckless play in the libero," says Setlock. "She needs to play all over the back line and do whatever it takes to get the ball to a teammate which means she has to be an excellent passer as well."Tamaqua's libero is senior, Yeni Benigno. She talks about her change in attitude about playing the position, especially after visiting Penn State to watch their volleyball team in action."At first, I wasn't sure I about playing the libero postion," she says. "But now it's become fun for me. I love playing defense and helping my team score points."Benigno says she's very serious when she patrols the back line and will dive onto the floor numerous times during a game to try to keep the ball in play."I got bruises on my thighs from hitting the floor so much," she says.When asked about wearing a different color jersey, Benigno likes the idea."I feel special because I look different," she says, and then she adds with a laugh, "When my family and friends come see me play, they won't have any problem finding where I am on the court.'All kidding aside, the volleyball libero will give her blood, sweat, and tears to help her team win. Unlike the hockey goalie, baseball catcher, and the football linebacker who wear extensive protective padding, the libero will often dive face first onto the hardwood floor to dig an opponent's shot, wearing no more protection than a pair of knee pads. Her selfless sacrifice of her body is putting it all on the "back line" for her love of competition and for her determination to contribute to her team's success.**********SOCCERGOING ON RECORD Last Wednesday, Lehighton's Allison Andrew set a new career scoring record at Lehighton with five goals against North Schuylkill in a 13-0 Indians victory. Andrew now has 49 goals for her career, surpassing the previous school record of 46 goals, which was held by Alysia Hough.**********LIONS, TIGERS ANG GOALS...OH MY In Monday's 6-2 victory over Moravian Academy, Northwestern soccer standout Sarah Segan knocked in four goals in a 6-2 victory over the Lions. Segan has been a scoring machine against Moravian Academy this season, as the Tigers senior tallied five goals in a 7-4 season-opening victory. In two games this year against the Lions, Segan has scored nine of her team's 13 goals.**********A TIP OF THE HAT (TRICKS) Aside from Andrew and Segan, two other TIMES NEWS area soccer players recorded hat tricks this past week. Last Tuesday, Lehighton's Joe Marks accounted for three goals in a 5-0 victory over Jim Thorpe, while Northwestern's Courtney Page (three goals) accomplished the feat in Thursday's 3-0 win over Wilson.**********VOLLEYBALLSETTING THE BAR HIGH Marian senior setter Abby O'Donnell recorded her 3,000th career assist in a three-game sweep of Tamaqua on Monday evening. O'Donnell dished off 17 assists against the Lady Raiders to become only the second player in school history to surpass the 3,000-assist plateau. Through Tuesday's game against Lehighton, O'Donnell now sits with 3,042 assists, which trails only Kayla Poluka's school record of 3,783 career assists (2002-2005). O'Donnell had 880 assists as a freshman, 901 assists as a sophomore, 894 assists as a junior, and currently has 367 assists so far this season.**********DIG PINK In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month the Marian Fillies volleyball team, along with Mahanoy Area, will host a Dig Pink event at Marian. The event will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 1. This event is being held in conjunction with the Fillies Annual CYO Appreciation Night. Attending District 5 volleyball participants will be honored for their participation in the program.All proceeds generated by the "Dig Pink" fundraiser will be donated to the Side-Out Foundation which awards grants to medical research organizations and entities dedicated to providing compassionate support to breast cancer patients and their families.The Fillies are asking all fans to wear "pink" to the event, which starts at 5:30 p.m.