Liberos: integral, often misunderstood

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This article was published 28/12/2023 (986 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In a game dominated by the giants of the sports world, Carson Brennan doesn’t fit the mould.

He’s only 5-9 but volleyball has a job well suited for someone who possesses his cat-like reflexes and is driven by the idea that you can never, ever give up on the ball.

Brennan is one of two liberos on the roster of the No. 5-ranked University of Winnipeg Wesmen. Libero, a back row defensive specialist position introduced to the sport in 1998, is an integral but sometimes misunderstood part of the game.

“You definitely need to be mentally tough for the serve receive side,” said the 21-year-old product of Bragg Creek, Alta., after the Wesmen vanquished the No. 11 Guelph Gryphons 3-1 (23-25, 25-17, 25-23, 25-18) in opening round action at the Wesmen Classic at Duckworth Centre Thursday afternoon. “You definitely need to be quick. There’s so many different aspects of volleyball, but I think more than anything is just reading, right? Just to be able to interpret the play, however you believe it’s gonna happen, and going after that ball.”

Toughness is another essential for those who want to excel.

Brennan, in his third year at the U of W, is only in his second season of eligibility due to injuries suffered in the line of duty — diving for loose balls and sometimes crashing into solid barriers or making heavy contact with the floor. His second year was interrupted by a nine-month rehab following surgery to repair the labrum in his right shoulder. Most recently, he took six months to recuperate from a similar procedure surgery to fix his left shoulder.

In addtion, volleyballs pounded off his head through the years have resulted in four diagnosed concussions.

“I should be (more careful) but I don’t think that I am, really,” said Brennan, whose older brother Logan starred at libero for five seasons in Larry McKay’s U of W program. “I’ve also known a lot of setters who have had the same style of play. You just never let a ball drop; you’re always going after everything.”

Third-year University of New Brunswick libero Scott Mann knows all about the school of hard knocks.

“I think I’m obviously limited by my size a bit here,” said Mann. “I just started playing libero and, if I could I would love to play other positions, but it just wasn’t a possibility. I’ve enjoyed it but it’d be nice to have options, but that’s the way it is.”

The 21-year-old St. Paul’s High School grad, who stands 5-7, is in his third season as a star support player for the Reds.

“Probably the most important thing is to bring good energy all the time,” said Mann, explaining the job requirements. “As a libero, you’re never gonna get a kill — your points come from digging a ball or getting a good pass. You’re not gonna have those big moments like some other players, but obviously, you have to perform well technically — like passing and setting.”

Reds head coach Dan McMorran, a former setter whose playing career at UNB predated the introduction of the libero, loves the passion and mindset Mann brings to the court.

“I almost equate the libero to being a guy that’s not quite right — just like goaltenders in hockey,” said McMorran. “I think you have to be fearless — that’s first and foremost. A good, athletic, fearless player and of course then you get to the finer points of it. We’re looking for an exceptional passer and exceptional defender.”

A selfless approach — liberos are not permitted to attack or block — is another key attribute.

“It is a very specialized skill set as a libero,” said Manitoba Bisons head coach Lupo Ludwig. “You have to have a mindset. With a libero, it’s difficult to make points. The only thing he does that counts is errors, right? That’s something you have to learn how to deal with. It’s very, very important for a libero to have leadership skills. So that’s exactly that’s what I expect. The libero is in charge of the backcourt.”

The Bisons, who opened with a 3-1 (25-20, 25-11, 20-25, 26-24) loss to UNB Thursday morning, had second-year libero Bryce Cancilla back in their lineup.

Cancilla, who played in only four games last season and missed the start of 2023-24 with a broken finger, was a setter during his high school career at Westwood Collegiate and got an introduction to libero during club season. He’s found a new home there.

“Coming from setter it wasn’t easy to just step right into it,” said Cancilla, 21. “It definitely took about a month of bad volleyball before I figured it out and got the hang of it.”

Liberos are rightfully proud of their work.

“Probably the people that don’t understand volleyball, they might see it as, ‘Oh, this guy just sits in the back row,’” said Cancilla. “But anyone that’s a true volleyball fan knows that they work as hard as everyone else on the court and they’re just as important as any player.”

Wesmen Classic action continues Friday and Saturday at the Duckworth Centre.

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca