She's usually the shortest player on the volleyball court, but Lizaiha Garcia has a large role on every play, as the team's libero.
"My role as a libero is to be the ball control leader on the court. I try and control most of the first touches," Garcia said. "I'm the defensive specialist on the team."
Libero is defined as the best defender on the team. While wearing a different jersey color from her teammates, a libero attempts to dig the ball every time it crosses to their side of the net. This sets up the ball for the team as they prepare for their offensive attack.
Garcia has done her job well, earning numerous school records for digs. Last season, she set the record for digs in a three-game match, with 32 versus Kent State.
This match helped her on her way to a school record for digs in a season with 545. Garcia showed she also has a strong serve, as she was tied for third on the team with 35 aces last season. This season Garcia broke the school record for most digs in a career. Ann Reed previously held the record since 1991. Garcia currently has 1,657 digs.
"It's exciting," Garcia said. "It can give the other girls that are going to come here something to look up to. It's just nice to know after working this hard that I have something to show for it."
Garcia received the team's Most Valuable Player award for her efforts in 2006. She was also rewarded with plenty of playing time, appearing in all 34 matches last season.
Garcia's father was a member of the national team in Puerto Rico, thus sparking her interest in the sport. She joined her first team at the age 10, played on the Dayton Juniors volleyball club for seven years and also played soccer during her younger days. However, when she started at Beavercreek High School, she had a decision to make.
"I couldn't play both sports in high school," Garcia said. "Volleyball has been like my life. I grew up with it, so that was my deciding factor."
She started for all four years at Beavercreek, and won her team's Best Defensive Player award each year. Garcia was offered scholarships from several schools around the nation, including James Madison, Wichita State, and Iona. Her decision to come to Buffalo was made easy by getting to meet the team on a visit and the location of the campus.
"On my recruiting visit, I fell in love with the girls," Garcia said. "I'm from Ohio and a lot of the schools (in the Mid-American Conference) are near my home. I wanted get away from home at the time, too. It's far away, but yet my parents can come and watch me play."
Three and a half seasons and a few school records later, Garcia is happy with her decision to play for the Bulls. She said she enjoys playing for head coach Jim Lodes, who is in his third season as head coach.
"I love playing for Jim Lodes - I think he is an awesome coach. He is very knowledgeable," Garcia said. "He really believes in all of us and... pushes us all to be the best that we can be."
As for her final year at Buffalo, Garcia hopes that the team can win the MAC Championship. She is one of two seniors on the team, and sees it as her role to be a leader on the court.
"I'm a leader by example," Garcia said.
With graduation approaching, Garcia still has some indecision about what to do next. However, she will continue with volleyball either as a player or as a coach.
"I'm not really sure, possibly try and go play pro volleyball in Puerto Rico or I might try to be a graduate assistant and help out coaching," Garcia said.
Photo: Courtesy of SUNY
