Defence opens opportunity for Kolibar
LCI VOLLEYBALL STANDOUT OFF TO COPPIN STATE IN BALTIMORE
It has been a banner year for athletes at Lethbridge Collegiate Institute.
Thursday afternoon, another LCI athlete signed on the dotted line to attend a postsecondary institution in the fall. Chelsie Kolibar signed a letter of intent to play volleyball in Baltimore, Maryland, for the Coppin State Eagles, one of seven new recruits for the program next season.
“I’m super excited to go to the East Coast and explore and meet some new people and continue to play the sport I love,” said Kolibar.
With a full-ride scholarship in tow, Kolibar will look to build upon the success her LCI Clippers had this year.
“We had a really good season,” she said. “We won the post-season tournament, won zones and we were third in provincials.”
It capped off her fourth season at LCI, which also included four different coaches, who each helped Kolibar get to the next level, she added.
“She was a standout player, a standout leader and she had such a huge knowledge level on the court,” said Shaelynn Garner, who coached Kolibar last season. “She’s earned it.”
As a libero for the Clippers, Kolibar solidified LCI’s back row all season, according to Garner, which translated into success for the team’s front-row players. Kolibar also moonlighted as a setter, depending on the team’s game plan for that particular match.
But it was Kolibar’s propensity for defensive intensity which caught her coach’s attention most often.
“You need someone who just believes the ball will never hit the floor,” said Garner, of the libero mindset Kolibar displayed, as the coach praised the senior’s grit, awareness and ability to read the play.
Kolibar gave credit to Garner for helping her adjust to becoming a defensive specialist this year.
“One of the biggest things my coach talked about was being disciplined, being in the right spot and always being accountable.”
That attitude will be key to gaining playing time at Coppin State, according to Kolibar, who added the Eagles coaching staff has told her she will get some playing time this year, as a libero or as a defensive specialist for the team.
“They also have a libero that is my age, so I’m going to be fighting for playing time.”
The Eagles finished the 2017 season with a 4-26, record, which included a 4-8 record in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play.