Coach: These players can save a game from this demanding, difficult position you've never heard of

Libero: It comes from the Italian word meaning "free."

Not really sure how that connects to the naming of the specialized volleyball position of the same name, but there you have it. Definitions can be tricky sometimes.

"Free" is absolutely not the first word that would come to mind when you watch these back row defensive specialists risking both life and limb in fearless, sometimes even body-endangering attempts, to keep volleys alive.

Many sports fans and every day folks are unfamiliar with the term. You ask them what a "libero" is, and you get a variety of looks, from strange empty glances to weird "why are you asking me this" looks of disdain.

I know this personally: In my attempt to get an inside look at one of the most unique positions in sports, I went full scale "man on the street" and asked random people what they thought a libero is.

Besides the obligatory strange looks, here is a sample of some of the responses:

"I think it is a type of container," "Isn't that a famous Italian person," "might be some kind of animal," "I think it is a style of hat," "sounds like a plant of some kind," "is it something you eat?" "oh, that is a model of automobile," and, my personal favorite, "he was a star European soccer player, wasn't he?"

And those were just the responses we could print in this family paper.

The real answer for those following along here? The libero is a back line defensive specialist in volleyball and encompasses one of the most important and unique positions in all of sports.

The uniqueness starts with the special color jersey that only the libero can wear. Often multicolored, and in stark contrast to what their teammates wear, the libero stands out in both look and stature.

They can only play the back row and are not allowed to spike, block, or jump at the net, but that in no way decreases their importance to the team. Their job is defense first, and they are often diving, charging, flopping and flying around the court, with no apparent concern for the human body - all with the sole purpose of not letting the ball hit the ground.

They are the direct enemy of all those powerful, 6-foot-and-then-some hitters on the other side of the net, who are pounding away with attempted smash shot kills.

But that is exactly where the fun and challenge comes in.

Glenbrook North's Maddie Konopka has been playing libero on the varsity for her Spartans since sophomore year. She will be playing in college as well.

"It's a fun position, but there is definite pressure," says Maddie. "When you wear the different colored jersey from everyone else, you stand out. The crowd notices you. But it also is a great position of leadership, where you have to constantly be communicating to your teammates on the floor."

"There is nothing like the excitement you get from making a great save on a big hit from the other team," says Lily Boland, one of the setters for Loyola's volleyball team.

"Your teammates get excited, and the crowd is cheering. It's the best part of being a libero," the senior star adds.

Her teammate and fellow Loyola senior, libero Maggie Merck, adds, "Besides the coolness of getting to wear the special jersey, I love the fact that you get to be such a strong court presence. I am loud and outgoing by nature, and the libero position allows me to feed on my natural leadership skills."

But not all is fun and games when playing the libero position. It is one of the most difficult positions in all of sports, and the demands are mental as well as physical.

"You really have to stay mentally focused," says Merck, "and if you make a mistake, not let it get to you and move on to the next point."

"The physical toll is pretty brutal, too," says Boland. "My back and my knees take a pounding from all the diving to the floor for saves. I have so many bruises that, a lot of times in school the next day, kids will look at me and say, 'what happened to you'?"

So, what does a coach look for when selecting this most unique athlete?

Loyola coach Mallory Thelander says there are usually three key indicators.

"First and foremost, I look for someone who is vocal, who is a leader and who can communicate well," coach says. "Secondly, they have to have that 'no ball will hit the floor mentality,' that kind of competitive toughness. And, finally, it is usually a player that is shorter in height and one that is very quick and athletic."

Glenbrook South coach Kelly Dorn adds her two-libero-cents-worth to the discussion.

"We love the kid who can handle pressure and have the ability to adjust to any situation seamlessly. They have to be fearless and outgoing, and not intimidated by opposing teams or players. We have been very lucky to have some girls who are really great defensive players and have been hungry to put that special jersey on."

Coach Dorn and the Titans are lucky to have one of the best in the area playing that spot this year in Abby Kuliga. Kuliga was moved to the varsity team late in her freshman year and has been the Titans' starting libero for three years now.

She has basically lived with that position her entire life.

"I started playing libero in fourth grade on my club team," says Abby. "That is really all I played through junior high and into high school. I love the energy, the pressure, the control we have from the back row. Sometimes I think we are underrated - and maybe not as appreciated as much - because we don't make the big hits or big blocks at the net."

Underrated by the fans, maybe. But definitely not by coaches and teammates, who know the importance and appreciate the hardworking unselfishness of this most important of positions.

Loyola and Glenbrook North volleyball squads have been rolling all season long, with 20 win seasons already intact. Glenbrook South started a bit more slowly, but have been on a streak of late, and now have a solid winning record.

The state tournament is coming soon and should be exciting, to say the least. It is the culmination to a long season. There will surely be emotionally packed one-and-done games, with big crowds and even bigger stakes. Win and advance, lose and your season is over.

Sure to be in the middle of all the drama? The girls wearing the different-colored jerseys diving all over the court to make big saves.

Sometimes maybe even "saving" their team's season.

• Jon Cohn of Glenview is a coach, retired PE teacher, sports official and prep sports fan. To contact him with comments or story ideas, email jcsportsandtees@aol.com.