FLOR TIME: Libero earns coach Wilson’s trust

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This article was published 30/09/2024 (599 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Few positions in sports receive less praise or attention than defensive libero.

Especially in U Sports men’s volleyball, where digs are few and far between. They play about a third of the points, only seeing the floor when their team serves and only seeing the ball the odd time an attacker blasts it their way.

It’s become Michael Flor’s role for the Brandon University Bobcats, and coach Grant Wilson figures the small, shifty senior could turn some big matches around this year.

“There’s maybe going to be one or two situations in a game where there can be a game-changing dig. He has the ability to do that with his speed and put himself in a situation where he can dig a ball,” Wilson said after a 3-0 sweep of the Queen’s Gaels at BU’s home tournament on Saturday.

“He’s certainly not afraid to stand in there. It gets the crew pretty fired up when he makes that big dig and we can score in transition.”

It took a while for Flor to see the floor regularly after joining the Bobcats in 2019.

He transferred from Jose Rizal University in the Philippines and saw sporadic minutes as the two-libero system was introduced at the U Sports level.

Flor played in nine matches in 2022-23, then all 22 last season. He registered just 52 digs in 76 sets, which doesn’t seem like a lot but is around the league average per point — compared to liberos who play both offensive and defensive points.

Basically, Flor comes on when BU scores — unless a middle blocker is serving — then runs off for a stronger passer when the Bobcats lose a point.

He can go lengthy stretches without touching the ball, which makes it tough to get into rhythm.

“I also get frustrated because I only have one job, to save the ball,” Flor said.

“Sometimes if I don’t dig a ball I feel frustrated about it but what Grant always prepares to do is our mentality has to be strong. We can’t dig every ball, we can’t be perfect … but as long as we’re doing our job … whether it’s digging the ball, supporting or giving good energy inside the court, that’s what matters.”

Flor wouldn’t have the opportunity he has in Brandon if not for dual citizenship. He’s listed as a Carlyle, Sask., resident, meaning he doesn’t fill one of BU’s two import spots.

At five-foot-six, he fills a niche role. It’s tougher to pass serves as he doesn’t have as much range as most but he’s a quick, scrappy defender and can chase balls taller guys struggle to reach.

For Wilson, the job is about more than making a few digs — he has to organize the defenders around him.

“The big thing is confidence with communication. He’s skilled but before would be somewhat hesitant to really be the floor general, especially defensively,” Wilson said. “You can hear him out there communicating … more loudly and confidently as to what needs to happen. That’s the biggest stride in his game that I think has really helped us.”

The Bobcats dropped a four-setter to the Manitoba Bisons on Saturday afternoon as both teams mixed in a handful of younger players. BU’s lineup against one of the top teams in Ontario University Athletics looked a lot more familiar.

Riley Grusing led the team with 10 kills and three errors while Tom Friesen and Philipp Lauter had five kills apiece. Setter JJ Love recorded 24 assists and left side Liam Pauls posted three kills, two errors and five service aces.

Brandon didn’t get a ton of chances to attack since Queen’s missed a whopping 27 serves in three sets, but Wilson liked what he saw when the ball was in play. Rookie middle blocker Matthew Siebenga chipped in three kills, two errors and two blocks and import Sam Chen played as the passing libero.

“I wouldn’t say it’s our starting lineup but we had the core out there,” Wilson said. “Still trying to figure some things out but that was a group that played relatively well together and showed they could compete with a top team in the country.

The Winnipeg Wesmen beat the Gaels 3-1, then the Saskatchewan Huskies dropped the Waterloo Warriors in four sets in the afternoon. Winnipeg edged Saskatchewan 15-13 in the fifth set in the late match.

On Sunday, the Bobcats played a young group in a 3-0 loss to the Huskies as BU’s Liam Pauls posted 11 kills and one error while Emmett Graham, Isaiah Mamer and Jacob Baird combined for 39 kills and eight errors.

» tfriesen@brandonsun.com

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