Two things are required to be a high-level volleyball team, according to Arizona head coach Dave Rubio: a great setter and a great libero. Arizona has the latter in Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week Kamaile Hiapo.
The sophomore averaged four digs per set against No. 7 Stanford last weekend, quietly playing a key role in Arizona’s first sweep of the Cardinal since 2005.
“I think most people probably ask me why there’s a player with a different color jersey on the floor,” Rubio said of the libero position, “[but] people in volleyball know that in order to be a good team and an elite team you have to have an elite setter and an elite libero.