Winning eight straight county titles can make a team complacent. So can winning the region five straight years, making the state finals three consecutive times and winning two of the last three Class 2A state championships in 2003 and 2004.
But for Liberty High?s girls volleyball team, it?s just continuing a winning tradition in Carroll County.
“When you have been to the state championships the last three years, there?s no other goal but to win the state final,” coach Dave Trumbo said.
Featuring dominating senior outside hitters Melissa Stansbury and Sam Walters, the Lions (10-0 overall, 5-0 in the Monocacy Valley Athletic League Piedmont Division) have a lethal offense that usually gives them the upper hand. Walters leads the team in kills (80) and kills-per-game average (2.7) and is second in digs (107). Stansbury is first on the team in digs (136) and second in kills (73) and kills per game (2.4).
“They love playing to a big crowd and showing people what they can do,” Trumbo said. “We only get 14 matches, and they are super-competitive and they are always trying to top what teams have done before them.”
Despite the outstanding play of the team?s outside hitters, Trumbo?s best weapon is also his best-kept secret, senior setter Ashleigh Swiontek. Averaging 7.5 assists per game and totaling 225 for the year, Swiontek has excelled as a full-time starter.
Part of what makes Swiontek so special is her ability to blend her talents together. Whether she is setting, blocking or digging, she is in charge of making things happen and serves as a pseudo-coach on the floor.
“This is her year to shine,” Trumbo said. “So far, she is really stepping up, especially in the big games. She?s not predictable. … The defense loses that extra half-step because they have to wait and see what she does.”
