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2007-2008
Antelope Valley Girl's
 SETTING THE WAY - Tori Mischel of the Paraclete Spirits sets the ball during the Spirits' three-game sweep of Archer Thursday at home. RON SIDDLE/Valley Press |
By CRAIG CURRIER
Valley Press Assistant Sports Editor
A position that was created to allow strong defensive players more time on the court wasn't completely successful at achieving its design.
Until, of course, the rules were changed this year.
The libero, not allowed to serve at the high school level before this fall, was often not the best defensive player on the team, if there was even a libero at all.
But teams are running liberos more commonly this season because players like Mischel, who doubles as Paraclete High School's defensive specialist and the Spirits' best server, can be used optimally.
For Paraclete, which won its second straight Alpha League match Thursday afternoon by beating Archer 3-0 (25-10, 25-18, 25-14), the more often Mischel is on the floor, the better off the team is.
Mischel, a junior, has consistently led Paraclete (10-4, 5-2 Alpha League) in digs this season - she had a team-high 10 Thursday against Archer (0-8, 0-6) - but is more important than her numbers, according to coach Margaret Neill.
Neill has coached Mischel for almost three full seasons now and used her in the back row last year, which only gave Mischel three rotations on the court. Now, with the newly-instituted serving rules, she can come on the court for anyone and serve once per rotation as the libero.
"When she is seeing the court she reads hitters extremely well," Neill said. "She's a good passer and she's very vocal on the floor.
"She never shuts up," the coach added with a smile.
The libero is becoming almost as important as the setter in volleyball. If a team has the right player to fill the position, it can make all the difference.
Mischel's role for Paraclete becomes even more important when considering the young setter, freshman Rachel Melich, Neill is trying to season in time for the Southern Section playoffs, which the Spirits now seem likely to make after a pair of wins this week.
Playing on a team that has star players at every grade level - throw in sophomore Lia Tuiasosopo and senior C.J. Millar and all four classes are represented well - a team leader could seemingly come from anywhere.
Neill went to Mischel before the season and told the 16-year-old junior that she was just as experienced as anyone else on the team.
"You can tell someone whatever you want and they won't always do it," Neill said. "But I knew Tori was going to be our leader."
The make-up of this year's team and having girls of all ages surrounding her, has made the situation surprisingly comfortable for Mischel.
"I love that," she said. "This year's team is a lot younger than last year's. That's better because we've got a lot to prove."
Mischel takes that attitude in her own game, too. Playing club volleyball locally last year, she's decided to venture out when this season ends and see if she can develop her skills and find a college to play for when she graduates. Mischel met coaches from the Westwood-based Sport Shock club program at a Pepperdine camp last summer and will tryout for their U-17 team this month.
Neill, who called the age differential on her team a "non-factor," didn't hesitate when asked if Mischel had the ability to play at the next level.
"Higher than that (Division III)," she said. "Everybody listens to her when she talks on the court."
For now, Neill just hopes the combination of ages and styles peaks together in the regular season's final 10 days. But, looking forward, the Spirits return plenty of talent next fall and, with Mischel's outlook, they'll again have something to prove.
