Hali Hillegas has become an elite libero

Maddie Leopardo/Iowa State Daily
Redshirt freshman libero Hali Hillegas watches for the serve during the volleyball game on Oct. 26 at Hilton Coliseum. The Cyclones defeated the Kansas State Wildcats 3-1. 

Garrett Kroeger
November 6, 2017

Iowa State libero Hali Hillegas dove a good three feet to dig the volleyball with her right arm. Due to the way she dug the ball, Hillegas hit it back toward the North Dakota Fighting Hawks’ blocker.

The North Dakota blocker immediately blocked the ball and aimed it toward the ground.

Hillegas, who was on her back due to diving for the previous dig, saw the ball coming straight at her. She couldn’t get up in time to dig the ball. However, Hillegas knew she had to do something to help the Cyclones avoid getting scored on.

“I was just kind of laying there,” Hillegas said. “I saw the ball coming and I really didn’t know what to do. So, I just stuck a foot out there and was hoping for the best.”

Hillegas dug the ball with a flick of her left foot. Then a second or two after recording that dig with her foot, she got up and recorded another dig.

The redshirt sophomore recorded three digs within the span of five seconds on that rally against the Fighting Hawks. During that match, Hillegas recorded 28 digs in Iowa State’s sweep over North Dakota.

After that performance, especially that three digs in five seconds play, coach Christy Johnson-Lynch had some high praise for Hillegas.

“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had opposing coaches come up to me and say ‘Your libero is so good,’” Johnson-Lynch said. “Last year, she was good. Earlier this season, she was good. But some nights, she is in a league of her own. She is becoming an elite libero.”

Compared to the liberos Johnson-Lynch has worked with over the years, players like Katie Churm, Ashley Mass, Kristen Hahn and Caitlin Nolan — all of whom were considered among the best Big 12 liberos during their time in Ames — that is certainly high praise.

Last year, in Hillegas’ first year as a full-time, starting libero, she was solid. Nothing superb, but Hillegas was good enough to earn All-Big 12 Freshman Team libero honors after leading the Cyclones in digs (413) and digs per set (3.93). Hillegas also finished last season with 17 straight matches with at least 10 digs, including an Iowa State freshman record 33 digs against No. 4 Kansas.

But this season, Hillegas’ play has been superb.

Hillegas has extended her streak of at least 10 digs in match to 40 matches this year. Along with that, the young libero has earned four Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week awards, which is two more than she had in 2016. Not only that, but Hillegas currently leads the conference and ranks No. 13 in the NCAA with 5.66 digs per set.

Johnson-Lynch credits Hillegas’ success this year due to her being more aware on the court. She has learned how to read hitters, going to the correct spot so it is more difficult for opposing hitters to score and becoming a more solid passer.

While Hillegas is humbled by Johnson-Lynch believing she has become an elite libero, she still feels like she can do a little bit more to solidify herself as a ‘true’ elite player at her position.

“I definitely feel like I can do just a little bit more to reach that potential,” Hillegas said. “Comparing myself to where I was last year to this year, I think I have made that big step. But I think I can get a little bit more well-rounded at the position.”

Hillegas feels like she needs to become a bit more consistent on her service, when other teams serve at her, to fully take that next step.

As the season progressed this year, more and more Big 12 coaches have gone up to Johnson-Lynch and raved about Hillegas’ play. And with the numbers Hillegas has put up so far this season, she could very well end up as the Big 12 Libero of the Year. But, Hillegas isn’t thinking about that. She is only concerned about helping her team win.

Hillegas is only in her second year at libero. She still has two more seasons in a cardinal and gold uniform. If Hillegas is already at that elite level, imagine what she can become once her career ends.

“It would be an honor to be the Big 12 Libero of the Year,” Hillegas said. “But, right now, it’s not really in my mind. What’s in my mind is how [Iowa State] is going to end the season and how we are going into the NCAAs.”