Tuozzo Thriving in Libero Role for Volleyball Cats
The Kentucky volleyball program has produced a long line of outstanding liberos. Award winners like Jenni Casper, Stephanie Klefot, Ashley Dusek, Gabby Curry and Elanor Beavin have all been outstanding at the position for the Cats. Now, sophomore libero Molly Tuozzo has taken over the role. Tuozzo brings passion, leadership, and talent to the team from the back row.
Tuozzo jumped into the libero position this season and has already tallied a team-high 211 digs for the Cats. She credits this success in this position to her eagerness to want the ball every play.
“I feel like just wanting the ball anytime I’m out there. Like I want the ball whether it’s a hustle play or I’m taking serve receive from someone, I always want the ball,” Tuozzo said. “That’s a really big thing and focusing on consistency in passing and being loud and being a leader on the court, holding people accountable.”
Typically in the volleyball world, people view the setter as the only leader on the court. The setter is often times referred to as the “quarterback” on the team. However, Tuozzo shares that the libero spot is also an important leadership role to step into.
“It’s a big role to fill. There’s a lot of leadership pieces that come with it, not just being on the court all the time,” she said. “I think that is what I’m still adjusting to in a way, just getting better at that and leading on and off the court.”
Tuozzo touched on the ways she has learned to lead the team in her position.
“Taking control of the court in a sense,” Tuozzo said. “Taking everything defensively from people. Leading by example and with my voice.”
Tuozzo has not only has excelled on the defensive end, but in serving as well. Serving consistently and aggressively is something a lot of teams struggle to do at the collegiate level, but Tuozzo shares what has helped her succeed in this area.
“I think just trusting it. Like every time I go back there, I have the same routine that I do every single time,” she said. “I kind of like say the same thing in my mind every time I go back there. And still wanting to knock them out every single point.”
As Kentucky heads into a big match this weekend against a new member of the Southeastern Conference, No. 7 Texas, Tuozzo has plenty of opportunities to put these new leadership skills into action. Texas has a strong offense and Tuozzo shares how she feels being on the defense on the other side of the court.
“I’m excited. I like when teams have good offenses because it’s kind of like a challenge to prove that we can get everything up what they are handing to us,” Tuozzo said. “I’m really excited to play them. They are a great team and I think it’s going to be a really great match.”
Kentucky has already faced a daunting schedule this season, having faced Nebraska, Louisville, Stanford and Penn State, among others. Tuozzo said that both she and her teammates have been preparing for yet another Top 10 opponent.
“I think we are ready to prove ourselves,” she said. “We had a really tough non-conference schedule, but I think that really helps us in the long run like whenever we do play these really good teams. I think the SEC is the hardest it’s ever been, so I think we are ready to prove how good we can be and I think this match is a good way to do that,” said Tuozzo.
Kentucky will host Texas on Sunday afternoon in Historic Memorial Coliseum at 1 p.m. ET and the match can be seen on ESPN.
