Be the Referee: Volleyball Libero Uniforms
By
Paige Winne
MHSAA Director of Brand Management
November 18, 2025
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 – Volleyball Libero Uniforms - Listen
Before the match begins, a volleyball team takes the court wearing super-stylish, brand-new jerseys. The libero is in a bright neon top, but two other teammates also have the same neon sleeves.
At first glance, it looks like multiple liberos are on the floor. As the referee, you must check carefully: Under current NFHS uniform rules, the libero’s jersey must clearly contrast from all other teammates in color, design, and trim.
Accessories like sleeves or leggings are permitted, but they cannot confuse the identification of the libero. In this case, because the libero’s jersey color is the same as teammates’ sleeve color, the contrast is not sufficient, and the coach must correct it before play begins.
This ensures quick identification for substitutions, scoring, and libero actions.
Previous 2025-26 editions
Nov. 11: Illegal Substitution/Participation - Listen
Nov. 4: Losing a Shoe - Listen
Oct. 28: Unusual Soccer Goals - Listen
Oct. 21: Field Hockey Penalty Stroke - Listen
Oct. 14: Tennis Double Hit - Listen
Oct. 7: Safety in Football - Listen
Sept. 30: Field Hockey Substitution - Listen
Sept 23: Multiple Contacts in Volleyball - Listen
Sept. 16: Soccer Penalty Kick - Listen
Sept. 9: Forward Fumble - Listen
Sept. 2: Field Hockey Basics - Listen
Aug. 26: Golf Ball Bounces Out - Listen
Performance of the Week: Kingsley's Jenna Middleton
September 25, 2026
Jenna Middleton ♦ Kingsley
Senior ♦ Volleyball
Kingsley’s record-setting outside hitter became the 35th player in MHSAA girls volleyball history to reach 2,000 kills during the rally scoring era, doing so during her team’s win over Negaunee on Sept 12, and then set the school record for kills three days later during a win over Grayling. She’s up to 2,057 career kills after adding 23 more to her total Tuesday against Harbor Springs.
The returning all-stater also was her team’s leading hitter as the Stags won last season’s Division 3 championship, and she’s helped Kingsley to a 27-3-1 record and No. 5 ranking this week in Division 2. She does not intend to continue playing volleyball after high school, but plans to attend Northern Michigan University and study English and potentially creative writing or journalism.
@mhsaasports 🏐 POW: Jenna Middleton #Kingsley #Volleyball #Record #PerformanceOfTheWeek #MHSAA ♬ original sound - MHSAA
@mhsaasports 🏐 POW: Jenna Middleton #TikTalk #FunFacts #FYP #HighSchoolSports #MHSAA ♬ original sound - MHSAA
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Past 2026-27 honorees
Sept. 18: Caden Livermore, Grandville cross country - Read
(Photos courtesy of the Kingsley volleyball program.)