Neves excels in new libero position for USU women’s volleyball
Taubi Neves isn’t the tallest player on the court. In fact, at 5-foot-6 she is one of the smallest. Despite this, she still stands out.
Her diving saves and accurate passing make her a visible part of the team, but they aren’t the only things.
Neves also wears a different-colored jersey than the rest of her team.
The junior defensive specialist transferred to Utah State this year and has made an impact, filling the new position of libero for the women’s volleyball team.
Added to women’s volleyball at the beginning of this season, the libero is a defensive specialist who wears a different colored jersey. The libero cannot serve, attack, block, or set an attacker while in front of the 10-foot line, but is in the game for passing and defense.
Aggie Head Coach Burt Fuller said he likes the addition.
“It just adds a little more spice to the game,” he said. “I think it’s fun to have out there. Everybody wants to know, ‘Why is that person in a different uniform?’ So, at least they’re looking and thinking.”
After attending Northwest College in Wyoming, Neves said she decided to come to USU mainly because of her sister, former Aggie setter Chelsi Neves, being here.
“She was out here and she said how good it was,” Taubi said. “And she’d be here with me. That was a plus.”
Chelsi, who finished her career last season, said she sees the situation a little differently, but is happy to be here with her sister.
“I’d like to say I was a huge factor, but she was really excited to come here and try and play,” Chelsi said. “I think me being here and helping her adjust has been a big factor.”
Taubi played setter at her previous school and said she had to choose between going to another college to play setter or coming to USU.
“She was trying to choose between [USU and] a place where she would play a lot setting,” Chelsi said. “I think she decided to give [USU] a chance because it’s [Division I] and it’s a good school.”
When Taubi came to Utah State, she wound up in the role of defensive specialist.
“I didn’t really think I’d be setting, but I’d never played defensive specialist before, so it was a new thing,” she said.
To fill the libero position, the Aggies needed someone who could pass well and dig balls.
Although she had never played the position before, Taubi was chosen for it.
“In high school she was one of the best passers, but after two years of just setting you kind of lose that,” Chelsi said.
Starting at the position without any experience, Taubi said she looked to the other players on the team, especially defensive specialist Emily Kennedy, for help.
“[Kennedy] helped me out a lot,” Taubi said. “She’s the one I always watched, so she made it a lot easier.”
Kennedy said although the two were in competition for the same position, she encouraged Taubi and told her to not hold back from doing her best.
“I wanted her to be a good player, whether it meant her going in for me and me sitting out on the bench,” Kennedy said. “If she can do a better job, that’s great.
During the course of the season, Fuller said Taubi has improved in her new position.
“I think it took her a little while in the beginning, she wasn’t passing as well,” he said. “She just needed some more time. Once she got that time, she’s turned into, by far, our best passer [and] our most consistent passer.”
Although the libero isn’t someone who scores points, middle blocker Hailey Seedall said Taubi’s role is an integral part of the team.
“I think [liberos] don’t get as much credit as they should,” Seedall said. “She goes in there, almost every play, and passes a lot of balls perfect. Passing is probably one of the hardest things to do I think and she does really well at it.”
And her passing isn’t all Taubi brings to the team.
“She brings a lot of enthusiasm,” Seedall said. “She’s just really a positive person. She’s a really nice, nice girl. I can’t say enough good things about her.”
Taubi said her most memorable moment in her new position came in an Aggie victory against BYU earlier this season.
“I just remember against BYU I got a save and [Fuller] said I got the play of the game.”
In the fourth game of the match, she dug a ball to keep a rally alive, allowing the Aggies to score. The momentum changed and the Aggies went on to victory.
“That helped us get a win,” Fuller said.
Although starting in a new position has been a change and a learning experience for her, Taubi said she likes her new role.
“It’s a lot less stressful just being a passer instead of trying to set,” she said. “Setting is a lot of responsibility. I think our setters do a really good job. I’m impressed with them. I’m pretty happy with just the defensive job.”
-slbk5@cc.usu.edu