This is the second installment of White & Blue Review’s 2009 Creighton volleyball season preview. Join us every day this week as we take a look at each part of Kirsten Bernthal Booth’s club, leading up to the start of their season and the Blue-White Scrimmage on Saturday, August 22.
Setter
The Bluejays have big shoes to fill at what could possibly be considered the most important position on the court. Korie Lebeda was the most decorated player on the roster last season; she left Creighton a three time All-Valley selection and finished her career the school’s all-time assists leader (and fifth on the MVC all-time assists list). Her experience (119 straight games played) will be difficult to replace.
In Lebeda’s absence, Creighton will employ the “rookie” model to fill the spot. Coach Bernthal Booth will rely on two players seeing the Division I court for the first time. Megan Bober will get the first opportunity to take over the position after redshirting last season. A Nebraska native, Bober was a three-sport player in high school as well as a two-time All-Nebraska first team member. She committed to Creighton during her junior year in high school, so she has been around the program closely for three years. Her experience in the Blue-White game last season along with being the scout team setter throughout 2008 will be important to get the team set up for the kill.
Brittany Moon will seek to provide some competition at the setter position. She was a two-sport star in both volleyball and basketball, earning all-conference honors in both sports as a senior. However a torn ACL two seasons ago still may cause some questions about her durability. She was not formally announced by the team as a signee but could be a nice addition if things work out.
Libero
The libero position is probably one of the more intriguing positions in the game of volleyball today; intriguing for some because it is new to so many people. FIBA introduced the position in 1998 for international and Olympic competition. The NCAA then adopted the position in 2002 while at the same time starting to write its own volleyball rules.
Libero also intrigues spectators because of the limitations placed on the position. The libero was designated originally as a back-row player who cannot serve, attack or set inside the attack line. This initial designation allowed the position to serve mainly as a defensive player, and someone who can replace any position player on the court without counting as a substitution (of which there are only 12 allowed). But a rule change in 2005 now allows the libero to also serve.
And finally, the libero position gives an opportunity to players who might not be tall enough to be effective outside hitters, blockers, or even the best setter in the world to still be a dynamic contributor on the court.
Last season’s libero for Creighton was a special one. Bianca Rivera was a second-team all-Valley pick. She broke the school record for career digs per set and ranks sixth in school history in total digs — in only two seasons on the Hilltop. Fortunately for Creighton, it looks as though the volleyball program’s pipeline to Puerto Rico has sent more help to fill this position. Nayka Benitez comes to Creighton from Western Nebraska Community College, just as Rivera did. Benitez hails from Puerto Rico, just as Rivera does. And she will probably be the one to step in right away at the position. She was a first team All-Junior College selection after leading her team to a 113-6 record while also leading all Division I Junior College players in aces (108).
The other player looking for time at the position is Brooke Boggs. In high school she strictly played outside hitter, but it may not take her long to become a contender for the libero spot at CU. She has a defensive mind, as evidenced by PrepVolleyball.com naming her a Defensive Dandies Dandy Lion second-team pick. She was truly a standout behind the 10-foot line, passing with 92%efficiency while adding 287 digs — two stats key to the libero position.
Tomorrow we’ll take a look at Creighton’s deepest position, middle blocker. Stay tuned!.