These liberos are stepping up to lead their Section V girls volleyball teams

Jamie Kotalik was destined to be Pittsford Sutherland's libero.

Now a sophomore, Kotalik plays libero on the girls volleyball club scene and has studied the position for years. Not to mention her older sister, Ryan, was a 2022 All-Greater Rochester first team selection and is currently a defensive specialist at Denison University.

It's easy to marvel at hitters' mighty swings, but many offensive possessions won't begin without solid blocks and digs. Liberos need to be good passers and communicators if there's to be a smooth transition from defense to offensive attacks. Jamie Kotalik fits the bill.

"Liberos bring a lot of leadership in the back row especially," Kotalik said. "My teammates support me, and if I get a good dig they make sure to end the point for us. It's a lot of teamwork."

Sutherland's Hanford an 'amazing' replacement for injured Kotalik

Jamie Kotalik has previously played defensive specialist for Pittsford Sutherland coach Taylor Rivera's Knights as an eighth and ninth grader.

Kotalik praised many of Section V's best hitters, from Kiera Cornman, Meghan Clifford and Avery Harris and Fairport, to Pittsford Mendon's Sarah Gestring. In preparation for a larger role at libero this fall, Kotalik focused on improving her leadership and working harder in practice.

Girls volleyball: Section V scores for the 2023 season

It paid off. Kotalik was passing 2.87 overall and 2.24 out of serve receive, and her serve accuracy was at 90% early in the season. She recorded 21 digs in each of her first two matches before suffering a foot injury against Pittsford Mendon. Senior Sophie Hanford replaced Kotalik at libero on the fly and has kept the Knights undefeated.

"(Hanford) has been amazing. ... She's done great ever since," Kotalik said.

Hanford debuted at libero during 3-0 win over Eastridge on Sept. 19. Kotalik expects to return soon, but in the meantime, Hanford has kept the Knights (6-0) afloat with straight set wins over the Lancers, Greece Arcadia and Canandaigua.

"It was really cool how I could trust every single player on my team. I just know when I get ... a good pass, there's going to be a good hit, or spike, off of it," Hanford said.

Seniors Lila Keating and Alana Pinto applauded Hanford after her debut. They all thanked teammates like Lila Starbird and Callie Craig for their defensive efforts too.

"She's been amazing. She was passing crazy, 2.5 at least," Alana Pinto said. "She was going insane this game. She had everyone's back."

Penfield's Clark filling 'big shoes'

Penfield's Megan Clark has also made a transition. The junior is now a libero after previously playing outside hitter on junior varsity.

"I have big shoes to fill because Zooey (Gagnier) was absolutely amazing. But I'm living up to it. ... I'm trying my best," Clark said.

Penfield coach Rich Newton's Patriots are tied with Irondequoit for the state's No. 1 Class AA ranking. They've made three consecutive Section V finals and expect to contend after a 7-1 start. Many solid players return, but if you ask Penfield, Clark is filling in nicely in her role role at libero.

"(She) makes my life a lot easier," Penfield junior Olivia Solomon said.

Clark played well in Sept. 12's rematch of the Section V Class AA final against Fairport. She recorded 17 digs in a tough 3-1 loss.

"She's always right where the hitters hit," Penfield senior Hannah Sobko said.

Snyder 'always communicating' at Fairport

Fairport (8-0) may be home to some of the state's best hitters, but Peyton Snyder holds the defense down at libero.

"I'm doing well," Snyder said. "I have to make sure that I'm on everyone, just like they are. We're always communicating. If me and (Cornman) are on the court, and (Clifford) too, we're feeding off of each other."

A senior captain, Snyder posted 11 digs against Penfield. But passing isn't all Snyder does well. She's a key vocal contributor who helps her teammates pinpoint their shots.

"She's always there calling where we should swing, just to make sure we do get that point, because she can see the block more than we can," Harris said.

Fairport coach Trish Forgensi's 2022 Section V Class AA champion Red Raiders earned a 3-2 win over Section VI's Lancaster on Saturday, avenging last year's regional finals loss with a 15-6 win in the fifth set. It should be a confidence boost for a Red Raiders squad hopeful for a state tournament appearance up in Class AAA this season. Fairport is the state's No. 1-ranked Class AAA team.

"It was some of the top volleyball I've seen all season," Lancaster coach Becky Edwards told The Buffalo News.

Fairport will host Penfield on Tuesday for its third Dig Pink match. The girls and boys Fairport volleyball teams are raising money for the Pluta Cancer Center, and will present the organization a check before the match.

Fairport players go out in their communities seeking sponsorships to raise money. Sponsors are recognized on their breast cancer awareness shirts that goes to Pluta, as well as raffles and other sales. The Red Raiders typically schedules Dig Pink against Penfield because it's a competitive match that many people attend.

Section V girls volleyball's notable liberos

These names were compiled by Section V coaches with input from the Democrat and Chronicle.

Anna Candidori, Geneva: The senior libero is a three-year starter. Candidori had a season-high 25 digs against Mynderse and has a career total of 459 digs. She pairs well with junior middle blocker Natalie Dunham, who averages over three blocks per game.

Jamie Kotalik, Pittsford Sutherland

Jordyn Lewis, Webster Thomas

Ava McHarg, Pittsford Mendon

Lucy Murphy, Hilton

Aleah Nolan, Irondequoit

Peyton Snyder, Fairport

Ingfah Siphkongviseth, Webster Schroeder

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Section V girls volleyball: Top liberos stepping up in 2023