In 1998, the libero (“free” in Italian) was introduced internationally. The Italian word is pronounced LEE-beh-ro (but many players and coaches pronounce it lih-BEAR-oh).

The libero is a player with mad defensive skills. She wears a contrasting jersey and can replace any backrow player, without using a sub. But, like a sub, the libero may be replaced only by the player whom she replaced.

For now, only one libero is allowed per game, but I hear FIVB may change that rule to have two liberos (one who serves and one who does not). YEA!

Now to my point:

Is it [lih-BEAR-oh] or [LEE-beh-ro]?

This is an article about a guy who played at a local college his freshman year (I believe). “Bobcats left-side hitter Sanderson captures CIS volleyball player honours.”

You don’t want to be on the other side of the net when he’s hitting!

The local college dumped the men’s volleyball program (boo!). There went our coed volleyball community! Many of the players moved away to other schools to do great things… just like Paul.

Congrats Paul for being named Canadian men’s university volleyball player of the year!

Our story takes place in a far away land (about an hour from home) at a 17s tournament (the 17s part is important). A very well put together team from up North is winning – no, wait – annihilating a team from our hometown. The losing team is one of our biggest competitors so… I was enjoying the show.

Introducing a my-daughter’s-team-is-losing-the-game, over-involved, skeptical, yet surprisingly tech-saavy mom on the sidelines.

In the middle of the 2nd battle (set) of the slaughterfest (match), “mom” stands up and runs over to the losing team’s coach waving her iPhone around like she’d just discovered that “there’s an app for that.” The coach tries to dismiss her but I could tell she was not backing down. She turned around, guns-blazin,’ and chased down the tournament director pointing at a young player on the winning team, “That girl is 18!” and then to her iPhone, “This registration says she’s too old be here!” (playing in a 17s tournament)

After all the oohs and boos subsided and the winning point was scored, the tournament director approached the coach of the accused player and demanded proof of age. The coach said the claim was offensive and the alleged-18-year-old announced her birth date to the crowd.

Meanwhile, “mom” is running around spreading her false fact to anyone who will listen (in a manner that makes me think she forgot to take her medication). On the court, the coaches are eye-to-eye, throwing out any insult that comes to mind. And the players and parents are calling names I can’t repeat here.

Turns out, “mom’s” resource was inaccurate (I’m chalking it up to “user error”). the girl’s dad presented a birth certificate proving she was legal. It can’t be the first time they’d faced this type of accusation. I mean. What dad carries his daughter’s birth certificate in his wallet?

I have never seen a group of civilized people act like such raving lunatics over something sooo trivial.

“Now, please get off the court so my team can warm up.”