Following some exciting matches this week, junior libero Kambrie Hepler has been named Athlete of the Week for Elizabethtown College Athletics as part of the women’s volleyball team. She led the Blue Jays with a career high in aces with eight against Sarah Lawrence College. Hepler delivered a strong performance in that match as they won 25-14, 25-12 and 25-9. On the week, Hepler had 48 digs over three matches, including 21 in a 5-set loss versus Franklin & Marshall College and 19 in a 4-set win over Rutgers University-Camden.
As a libero, Hepler doesn’t leave the back row and is a defensive specialist, taking kills away from the other team and getting digs to continue the play for her team. Last year, she finished fifth in program history for most digs in a season. She looks to surpass those numbers this year and cement herself in program history. “I enjoy playing libero,” Hepler said, “a coach of mine has told me that ‘pressure is privilege’ and it gives me more excitement to play the position instead of nerves.” Hepler has a big role on the team as the libero and one of the vocal leaders of the team as well as being the on-court captain.
“Kam possesses a lot of outstanding qualities,” Head Coach Matt Hamilton said. “She does a great job communicating what she sees to other players and giving feedback, her voice on the court definitely makes us a better team.” Hamilton has been coaching Hepler for three years now and has seen her grow in maturity and get more comfortable as a leader of the team and said she’ll likely go down as one of the best to ever play libero at Etown.
The team has started off to an 11-2 record after this weekend. They are also preparing for tough matchups this week at Lancaster Bible College and Stevenson University before starting conference play next week. Last year, the team finished second in the conference in the regular season before falling to third-ranked University of Scranton. Expectations are high this year and the team is excited for conference play this year.
Hamilton praised Hepler on her approach to the game and how she uplifts the team with her preparedness and play. “Since being an Etown athlete, I’ve been able to improve on how we can be successful against our opponents,” Hepler said, “having the student athlete aspect of the game has definitely improved my capabilities [as] a player because I can help my teammates out more.” Scouting is a huge part of her game, as she has to read the tendencies of hitters, know what spots to be in on defense and tell her hitters where to hit on offense.
Hepler is enrolled in Etown’s reputable occupational therapy program and will be staying for a fifth year. She is eligible to play again due to losing her first year to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hepler said she has thought about playing, but it will depend on how she can balance the academic and athletic demands of a fifth-year student athlete.
