SE: Killeen Growing into Libero Role, Helping Solidify K-State Defense
Sep 21, 2017 | Volleyball, Sports Extra
In its simplest form, volleyball is about killing the ball before the other team. This process is somewhat of a chain reaction, with the final step — the exciting swings over the net — dependent on the first step, usually a dig or pass in the back row.
For K-State, this accelerated procedure typically starts with its starting libero, Reilly Killeen. Recently, the first-year Wildcat and junior transfer from Arizona has been a very effective first step.
"She is getting better as she goes," K-State head coach Suzie Fritz said. "Reilly has earned an opportunity at the libero position mostly based on her passing. She's our most consistent passer and can keep us in system."
Killeen ended K-State's non-conference schedule on a high note, notching a season-high 27 digs in a five-set victory against Northern Iowa.
"Defensively is probably where we're asking more of her, and I saw by far the best defensive effort we've seen from her against Northern Iowa. She is starting to see things better, play with greater defensive range, is doing more with her serve and, in all honesty, just taking more initiative as she goes," Fritz said of Killeen. "We need her to be in charge of first contact, whether that be passing or digging. That's what the libero does: manage first contact for us. Even if she's not the one handling it, we need her to be in charge of those things. I think she's growing into the role as she goes."
As Killeen grows, so will her team. It's no coincidence that K-State's win over Northern Iowa, which was coming off a win over No. 10 Nebraska and moved to No. 22 in the AVCA Coaches top 25 poll, included some of the best play from Killeen and the Wildcats as a whole.
"It was definitely really big for us, especially being the last match of the preseason," Killeen, who recorded eight digs in K-State's five-set win at Oklahoma on Wednesday to open its Big 12 schedule, said of the win over Northern Iowa. "We had our struggles in the preseason but I thought in that game it really all came together."
A native of Hawaii, Killeen's college journey did not start the way she hoped. She spent two seasons at Arizona before deciding to transfer. After talking with Sarah Dixon, a redshirt sophomore setter for the Wildcats who transferred from Arizona in 2016, Killeen decided to check out K-State, which was in need of a libero with the graduation of Kersten Kober.
"I thought I'd give it a shot, came on a visit and I really liked it. I took a chance and I'm glad I did," she said, specifically enjoying the ability to play under Fritz. "She just cares so much about everyone. It's really important to me because that's not something I felt before. She really takes time to make every player the best that she can make them, and that's something you don't find a lot in coaches."
Killeen arrived at K-State in the spring semester, helping ease her transition into a new program and place even farther away from home. Looking back, she said it was the "best decision I could have made."
"It was a whole new system, a whole new team, a whole new style of play. To be able to get used to that and learn and grow with the players around me was really nice," said Killeen, adding that the cultural adjustment to Kansas has been smooth as well. "Surprisingly, I love it. I didn't think I would. No one at home thought I would but I love the people and that's what's most important to me."
On the court, Killeen has been challenged to help lead a Wildcat team with only one senior, Bryna Vogel, on the roster.
"You're kind of looked at to lead the team in a lot of ways, more than just your play," Killeen said. "I think I've forced myself to be a leader because I know that Bryna and I are the only ones that are out there the whole time, so it kind of comes down a lot to what we do, as far as what the team atmosphere's going to be.
"Individually, my job out there is to pass the ball, keep us in system, but also going around and being encouraging to everyone out there, and keeping people accountable and making sure we're making plays we need to make to win."
The win over Northern Iowa represented a mindset shift K-State made to improve its defensive capabilities. While Killeen was at the heart of it, she said it was a "team effort," one the Wildcats need to replicate during a grueling Big 12 schedule.
"Upping our defensive game will be key," Killeen said. "We talk a lot about having a sense of urgency out there, and I think that's going to be huge in the Big 12 because teams are going to be good and no one's going to give a win to us on any night. We're just going to have to go out there and play as hard as we can every night."
Averaging 3.09 digs per set, Killeen said she's seen vast improvement in her game and in her confidence since coming to K-State. She looks to continue the growth in her first Sunflower Showdown on Sunday, when the Wildcats host No. 12 Kansas in a noon battle in Ahearn Field House.
"I'm really excited. My parents are coming down, so it should be really fun," Killeen said of Sunday's match, which will be nationally broadcast on ESPN2. "I can't wait."
For K-State, this accelerated procedure typically starts with its starting libero, Reilly Killeen. Recently, the first-year Wildcat and junior transfer from Arizona has been a very effective first step.
"She is getting better as she goes," K-State head coach Suzie Fritz said. "Reilly has earned an opportunity at the libero position mostly based on her passing. She's our most consistent passer and can keep us in system."
Killeen ended K-State's non-conference schedule on a high note, notching a season-high 27 digs in a five-set victory against Northern Iowa.
"Defensively is probably where we're asking more of her, and I saw by far the best defensive effort we've seen from her against Northern Iowa. She is starting to see things better, play with greater defensive range, is doing more with her serve and, in all honesty, just taking more initiative as she goes," Fritz said of Killeen. "We need her to be in charge of first contact, whether that be passing or digging. That's what the libero does: manage first contact for us. Even if she's not the one handling it, we need her to be in charge of those things. I think she's growing into the role as she goes."
As Killeen grows, so will her team. It's no coincidence that K-State's win over Northern Iowa, which was coming off a win over No. 10 Nebraska and moved to No. 22 in the AVCA Coaches top 25 poll, included some of the best play from Killeen and the Wildcats as a whole.
"It was definitely really big for us, especially being the last match of the preseason," Killeen, who recorded eight digs in K-State's five-set win at Oklahoma on Wednesday to open its Big 12 schedule, said of the win over Northern Iowa. "We had our struggles in the preseason but I thought in that game it really all came together."
A native of Hawaii, Killeen's college journey did not start the way she hoped. She spent two seasons at Arizona before deciding to transfer. After talking with Sarah Dixon, a redshirt sophomore setter for the Wildcats who transferred from Arizona in 2016, Killeen decided to check out K-State, which was in need of a libero with the graduation of Kersten Kober.
"I thought I'd give it a shot, came on a visit and I really liked it. I took a chance and I'm glad I did," she said, specifically enjoying the ability to play under Fritz. "She just cares so much about everyone. It's really important to me because that's not something I felt before. She really takes time to make every player the best that she can make them, and that's something you don't find a lot in coaches."
Killeen arrived at K-State in the spring semester, helping ease her transition into a new program and place even farther away from home. Looking back, she said it was the "best decision I could have made."
"It was a whole new system, a whole new team, a whole new style of play. To be able to get used to that and learn and grow with the players around me was really nice," said Killeen, adding that the cultural adjustment to Kansas has been smooth as well. "Surprisingly, I love it. I didn't think I would. No one at home thought I would but I love the people and that's what's most important to me."
On the court, Killeen has been challenged to help lead a Wildcat team with only one senior, Bryna Vogel, on the roster.
"You're kind of looked at to lead the team in a lot of ways, more than just your play," Killeen said. "I think I've forced myself to be a leader because I know that Bryna and I are the only ones that are out there the whole time, so it kind of comes down a lot to what we do, as far as what the team atmosphere's going to be.
"Individually, my job out there is to pass the ball, keep us in system, but also going around and being encouraging to everyone out there, and keeping people accountable and making sure we're making plays we need to make to win."
The win over Northern Iowa represented a mindset shift K-State made to improve its defensive capabilities. While Killeen was at the heart of it, she said it was a "team effort," one the Wildcats need to replicate during a grueling Big 12 schedule.
"Upping our defensive game will be key," Killeen said. "We talk a lot about having a sense of urgency out there, and I think that's going to be huge in the Big 12 because teams are going to be good and no one's going to give a win to us on any night. We're just going to have to go out there and play as hard as we can every night."
Averaging 3.09 digs per set, Killeen said she's seen vast improvement in her game and in her confidence since coming to K-State. She looks to continue the growth in her first Sunflower Showdown on Sunday, when the Wildcats host No. 12 Kansas in a noon battle in Ahearn Field House.
"I'm really excited. My parents are coming down, so it should be really fun," Killeen said of Sunday's match, which will be nationally broadcast on ESPN2. "I can't wait."
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