2004 Libero's---

[5100]

I guess UCLA saw the talent that Zartman would bring to the team.

Question:
If you were Dave Shoji, who would you give the scholarship to:
Teisa Fotu, a potential front-row starter
or
Ashley Watanabe, a three-year walk-on who is the primary candidate for libero?

[Deleted]

Eric said:

Question:
If you were Dave Shoji, who would you give the scholarship to:
Teisa Fotu, a potential front-row starter
or
Ashley Watanabe, a three-year walk-on who is the primary candidate for libero?

He already has Watanabe, so that's moot.

But if you're asking who he recruits, hypothetically, if they were both potential recruits, it depends on how good AW is. And how good TF is. And who else wants them.

In short, I can't answer the question.

But I can say that if he can find a primary passer, who can only be a libero, I'd go with the libero--unless the OH can also pass.

[plm]

Nebraska has Amanda McCormick on scholarship now and next year Rachel Schwartz will come in on a scholarship.

[TheSantaBarbarian]

plm said:

Nebraska has Amanda McCormick on scholarship now and next year Rachel Schwartz will come in on a scholarship.

So at least four of the Top 25 have Liberos on scholarship: UCLA, UCSB, Minnesota, Nebraska,USC, and Florida. Anymore?

[GatorVball]

TheSantaBarbarian said:

So at least four of the Top 25 have Liberos on scholarship: UCLA, UCSB, Minnesota, and Nebraska. Anymore?

Florida does

[roofed!]

USC's Deborah Seilhamer is on a scholarship. last season, USC had 2 scholarships to backrow players: Nicole Davis and her back-up, Deborah.

[gtdon]

Marisa Aston is on scollie at Georgia Tech. She is a senior and has always been on scholarship. Stephanie Keller is also a senior at Ball State and also has been on scholarship all 4 years. If you haven't seen Keller play, you have yet to see the best libero in the nation. IMHO

[plm]

In some of the other posts some of the names mentioned as liberos have been on scholarships for 4 years. The libero has only been allowed to play the last 2 years so really the only year where a libero has been recruited so far has been for the '04 year. It would be interesting as to how many players the last 2 years have been recruited strictly as a libero.

[IdahoBoy]

plm said:

In some of the other posts some of the names mentioned as liberos have been on scholarships for 4 years. The libero has only been allowed to play the last 2 years so really the only year where a libero has been recruited so far has been for the '04 year. It would be interesting as to how many players the last 2 years have been recruited strictly as a libero.

Well said.

As far as recruiting DS/Liberos for full scholarship, Banachowski was brilliant to do so with Zartman. The Gorf-ers got lucky doing so with Gentil as well.

Of all the teams I follow closely (2-5), I honestly can't remember them pursuing a libero in the past two years with a scholarship offer...

[JT]

IdahoBoy® said:

The Gorf-ers got lucky doing so with Gentil as well.

'Tweren't luck. Mike Hebert believed that the Libero rule would be adopted, and recruited in anticipation of it.

[Deleted]

JT said:

'Tweren't luck. Mike Hebert believed that the Libero rule would be adopted, and recruited in anticipation of it.

Whereas Andy had no way of knowing Zartman would end up as a libero. Of course, she was good enough for a scholarship as a DS...

The Idahoser is just spreading misinformation again, as is his wont.

Wont.

You don't see that word very often.

[BearClause]

(R)uffda! said:

Whereas Andy had no way of knowing Zartman would end up as a libero. Of course, she was good enough for a scholarship as a DS...

Sure. She was an exceptional talent - good enough to use a scholarship on simply as a DS and serving specialist. I hear she's quite an all-around player on the beach too. I've seen quality players who did get schollies at the DS position - the Hirsch twins at Santa Clara were a prime example, although one did play some front-row for her first year.

[ESTRELLA]

Hey guys......I'm new to this board but not new to volleyball at all. Many of you have good points on this subject, but the bottom line is that the Libero is here to stay and if used correctly that player will have a positive impact on the game.

If you did not notice (and I know you do) after the serve occurs a serve-reception skill takes place. If you have a good libero in your system there is a 33% chance she will touch that ball (that is if you have as most team a three serve receive formation). In fact the Libero has the same chance to touch the ball as the attackers (three front row = 33%). So if we are equal in touches and the outcome demands of such touches, why should the Libero have less value in terms of scholarships???

Many of you are asking about Liberos on scholarships. I can give you some that are maybe not tied to the Queens of College Volleyball, but are still DI players and that are making or are going to make impacts on the years to come. Some are Michael Blackburn (OU), Ausburger (Wichita State), Jenna Pearson (James Madison), Lizaiha Garcia (Buffalo) and Abby Showers (GT).

Just remember that the Libero in college is just like what the DH is in the American League of MLB. Eventually when the purists of the game get off their soap box, the position is accepted as a very valuable one for the change/enhancment of the sport.

ESTRELLA

[Deleted]

I've posted Gentil's 37-14 advantage when serving this past weekend elsewhere.

What may be missed by some is that this does not JUST mean she is serving well. It also means she was ON THE COURT to play defense, something that would not have been the case last year. I think that has as much to do with the 37 points as does her serve.

[TheSantaBarbarian]

IdahoBoy® said:

Of all the teams I follow closely (2-5), I honestly can't remember them pursuing a libero in the past two years with a scholarship offer...

Well, at least Kathy does. Last year she had already recruited a Libero for '05 to replace Nelson. The young woman and her father came to many of the UCSB games last year.