Not a single rotation to the front row. No spikes. No heart-pumping blocks. Never given the chance to tickle a back-line with her toes then blast off a sick serve. No glory. No fame. The job of a "libero" resembles that of the forgotten screenwriter, while Steven Spielberg takes home the Oscar.
For Lizaiha Garcia, however, being a libero, or a defensive specialist in volleyball, brings her gratification. The back row of a volleyball court is like her fortress of solitude.
"I've always loved defense, it's my favorite part of the game," Garcia said.
With a father as a volleyball coach, Garcia was practically raised with a white leather Spalding ball in hand.
Growing up around volleyball has influenced Garcia's passion for the game. Fortunately, the introduction of the libero position within the past few years has allowed her talent to stand out.
A libero's job is to defend: to set up points and rallies, and to give the team a chance to produce offensive plays.
Garcia has performed the duties of the libero her entire life. Standing 5'4", her petite stature fills the defensive need in the game of volleyball. While her teammates dress the court in uniforms of royal blue, Garcia wears all black.
"My younger sister plays volleyball, my uncles and cousins play too," said Garcia. "It's pretty big in our family."
Born in Dayton, Ohio, Garcia revealed an energetic style early on, causing her folks more stress then the average toddler. Her early energy also sparked signs of boundless athletic potential.
"There are pictures of me as a kid when I used to get into everything: stuff like pots and pans, I would eat dirt," said Garcia. "I think my parents had a hard time controlling me - actually, they still do."
Garcia started her organized volleyball career at the age of 10. By the time she was 14, her club team had made it to the national tournament.
Four years later, Garcia continues to excel. Garcia has already been named to a pair of all-tournament teams less then a month into her freshman campaign. She leads the Bulls with an eye-popping 186 defensive digs, nearly 80 more then her next closest teammate.
Off the court, Garcia displays another side to her personality. This laid-back, easygoing freshman enjoys chilling with friends or cranking an Ashlee Simpson track while playing around on her computer. She likes to write, and somehow makes time for reading and relaxation while tackling a full schedule of classes.
"I'm majoring in exercise science, but I want to be a dentist. Ever since I was little I've always wanted to be a dentist," Garcia said. "I like good teeth on someone."
Garcia has enjoyed her time at UB thus far in her short collegiate career and she claims to have always wanted to live in the Empire State. Maybe her first winter in Upstate New York will change that view, but then again, maybe not.
"I love it here. The team, they're like family to me because I'm so far away from home," Garcia said. "We laugh a lot, it's great."
Despite experiencing so much success as a UB volleyball player, Garcia leads an ordinary life, and continues to thrive on the values that her close-knit family instilled in her.
"My greatest influence in volleyball is my dad," said Garcia. "Outside of that I really look up to my mom, she will do anything for anyone, she's a great cook, and she speaks two languages."
After having played college volleyball for a month, Garcia believes that in the future the Bulls' program will shine more brightly.
"I want to get to the point where I'm the best that I can be," Garcia said.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
