deGroot on Playing Libero
Gabe deGroot has found volleyball success in some unlikely places. After growing up in Langley BC and playing for the local Fraser Valley Volleyball Club and Surrey’s Fraser Valley Christian Falcons, deGroot headed to Edmonton to play for The King’s University College Eagles in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference. He spent three years with the Eagles before transferring to the University of Guelph in 2008 and playing for the Gryphons in CIS competition, which he said turned into a great decision.
“It’s been awesome,” he said. “It’s been an amazing experience.”
It often takes college players a while to adjust to the university level, but deGroot found success quickly. He switched from setter to libero in his final year with the Eagles and carried on at libero with the Gryphons, claiming Ontario University Athletics’ libero of the year award in both 2008-09 and 2009-10.
deGroot said the libero position, which was introduced into international volleyball in 1998, has added a lot to the game. Liberos are defensive specialists who sub in for weak passers during their backcourt rotations and often make the crucial first dig on serves or spikes.
As liberos aren’t allowed to spike or block above the net, height is less important than it is at other positions; deGroot, at 6′2”, is one of the taller liberos in CIS competition but one of the shortest players on his team. He said his height does give him an advantage, though.
“Being tall, you can cover more ground,” he said. “It’s still a tall man’s game.”
deGroot said the transition from setter to libero took a lot of work, but his setting experience has helped him in his new role.
“As a setter, you kind of see the whole game,” he said. “Working with my setter, I know what he’s thinking; I know what he needs.”
Get the full story…Andrew Bucholtz, sportingmadness.ca
