A libero rarely gets the final point, but Rylee Wilbur knows plenty of points start with her. The DeKalb County senior sets the tone from the back row through sharp reads, clear communication and the first touches that allow her teammates to do their jobs.
DeKalb County senior libero Rylee Wilbur has surpassed 1,000 career digs while anchoring the team’s defense through a commitment to elite consistency on the volleyball court.
Wilbur said maintaining a steady performance allows the rest of the team to function effectively during a match. Wilbur said her teammates provide a significant impact on her growth by offering constant encouragement and pushing her to improve her defensive range.
“With consistency, it allows for a better flow of the, of the game,” Wilbur said. “When we don’t have consistency, there’s a bunch of bumps in the road, and it causes everybody else to kind of get out of place and not know exactly what’s going to happen. With consistency, everything flows smoothly.”
Wilbur has recorded more than 300 digs during the season to lead the team. Wilbur said her defensive success depends on her ability to analyze the movements of opposing hitters in real time.
“It’s really just watching the way they approach and how their hips are faced and their shoulders are faced, and just reading their hand,” Wilbur said. “But it all happens so fast, you can’t hesitate and you just have to go with what your gut’s saying.”
Wilbur said clear communication in the back row ensures that every player on the court understands their specific responsibilities. Wilbur said this verbal coordination prevents confusion regarding who is responsible for short or deep balls.
“It’s very important because it allows everybody else on the court to know where the ball’s going, who’s getting it, where it’s coming from, and just be able to communicate with your teammates. If somebody needs help or you’re going to get the short or the deep or just communicating and telling each other who’s got what so everybody’s on the same page,” Wilbur said.
Wilbur said the libero position serves as the foundation for the team’s offensive success by providing a quality first touch. Wilbur said her primary goal is to facilitate the work of the setters and hitters to help the team secure points.
“I think it matters the most with allowing having a good first touch, and being able to set my setters up and my hitters up for success, so that we can get a kill and we can get points,” Wilbur said. “I think that’s the biggest thing: it’s just with the consistency to allow the game to flow smoothly and allow everybody else to do their job once I do mine.”
