Be the Referee: Libero
By
Paige Winne
MHSAA Marketing & Social Media Coordinator
September 17, 2024
Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.
Below is this week's segment – Libero - Listen
In volleyball, a libero is a defensive player who plays in the back row. It’s a fairly new position, as it was introduced in 1998 – and the libero plays by some unique rules:
► The libero wears a different color jersey from the rest of the team – so they are easily identifiable. Only one libero can be designated for each set of a match.
► The libero can serve, but can't perform an overhead set in front of the attack line, or complete an attack if the ball is above the net.
► The libero is never allowed to rotate to the front line.
► The libero is the first line of defense, often passing to the setter and covering open spaces.
► The libero can be replaced without restriction – but in the event of an injury, can only be replaced by the player the libero originally replaced.
Previous 2024-25 Editions
Sept. 10: Cross Country Uniforms - Listen
Sept. 3: Soccer Handling - Listen
Aug. 24: Football Holding - Listen
PHOTO Livonia Franklin libero Mckenna Moore (1) defends during her team's match against Livonia Churchill this season. (Photo by Douglas Bargerstock.)
Performance of the Week: Shelby's Navea Gauthier
November 15, 2022
Navea Gauthier ♦ Shelby
Sophomore ♦ Volleyball
The 6-foot-2 outside hitter has put up headline-grabbing kill totals all season – but saved her best for her team’s biggest playoff matches. Gauthier posted what was a season-high 40 kills in a three-set Regional Semifinal win over Kent City to start last week, and she bested that with 47 more kills in Thursday’s four-set Regional Final win over Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian. The 47 kills are tied for fourth-most in a match statewide since the beginning of rally scoring in 2004-05.
Gauthier – who made the Division 3 all-state first team last year as a freshman – already is eligible for the MHSAA record book 11 times for single-match kills over her first two seasons. Additionally, her 930 kills this fall are tied for sixth on the single-season list and her 1,524 over two seasons make the career kills list, while her 132 aces this season qualify for the record book as well. Shelby was ranked No. 9 in the final regular-season Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association poll and brought a 35-8-3 record into Tuesday’s Quarterfinals.
@mhsaasports 🏐POW: Navea Gauthier #performanceoftheweek #volleyball #regionalchamps #quarterfinals #kills #goodluck #shelby #tigers #MHSAA #highschoolsports #tiktalk #interview #TikTok #mistudentaid #fyp @Navea Gauthier ♬ Beat Automotivo Tan Tan Tan Viral - WZ Beat
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2022-23 Honorees
Nov. 10: Derek Huisman, Holland Christian soccer - Report
Nov. 3: Thomas Westphal, New Baltimore Anchor Bay cross country - Report
Oct. 27: Justin Wickey, Colon football - Report
Oct. 20: Owen DeMuth, Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood tennis - Report
Oct. 13: Mia Melendez, Ann Arbor Greenhills golf - Report
Oct. 6: Shawn Foster, Grand Ledge football - Report
Sept. 30: Hannah Smith, Temperance Bedford swimming - Report
Sept. 22: Helen Sachs, Holland West Ottawa cross country - Report
Sept. 15: Nina Horning, Lake Orion volleyball - Report
Sept 8: Arturo Romero, Muskegon Oakridge soccer - Report
Sept. 1: Austin King, Midland Dow tennis - Report
Aug. 25: Olivia Hemmila, Troy Athens golf - Report
(Top photo by Enduring Memories Photography.)