SLIPPERY ROCK — Taylor Balint prepares the best she can for the toll playing libero will take on her body.

The Slippery Rock High senior is certainly accustomed to it.

She's played the position since junior high, started as a freshman for the Rockets and turned in one of the best seasons for a libero in school history last year with 354 digs.

Playing libero is not for the faint of heart. Balint has always risen to that challenge.

“You have to always be prepared,” Balint said. “You have to be willing to put all you have into it and get down on the floor. You have to give up your body.”

Some matches, Balint said, she has to give up her body more than others.

“It usually depends on the team we're playing,” Balint said, chuckling. “The beginning of the season is always hardest on me physically, but I get used to it, I guess.”

Balint has made a name for herself around District 10, as well as in the state.

Last season several coaches made positive comments to Balint about her tenacity in the back row.

“Whenever other coaches compliment me, that's the greatest compliment I think I can ever get,” Balint said.

Slippery Rock volleyball coach Danielle Busi also hands out frequent praise for her libero.

Busi said she is sometimes in awe of what Balint can do on the volleyball court.

“She amazes me every day with her passing and defense,” Busi said.

But Balint has been so much more for Slippery Rock than a mere defensive specialist.

Despite her diminutive 5-foot-5 size, Balint is also potent on the serve — she had 113 points last season — and can hold her own at the net in a pinch, too.

“Even her attack from the back row is pretty impressive,” Busi said. “This summer when we had low numbers in the summer league, I played her outside and she did quite well. She's just a competitor.”

Balint said when she began playing volleyball in the seventh grade, she always longed to be an outside hitter.

But her height dashed that dream. She discovered the libero position and took a shining to that quickly.

Still, there are times she wishes she could make other players throw their bodies in harms way to dig out one of her attacks.

“It's fun playing at the net,” Balint said. “It's where I always wanted to play, but I was always short. When I do play there, I've adapted. I don't do too badly at the net. I don't call for the ball very often — I just kind of get out of the way. But when I do get a chance, I rely on my power.”

Balint and Busi are excited about the prospects of turning around a 6-12 season in 2018 this fall.

Balint said the freshman class has shined so far in camp.

“I'm really excited for this season because the freshman class has come in and shown good potential,” Balint said. “We're coming together pretty well.”

Balint has also become a leader — in her own unique way.

“I've never really been the loudest,” she said. “I just like to go and work hard and be the best I can be. I hope others can see that effort.”

Busi said Balint will get on her teammates when the situation calls for it, however.

“She's a really good leader in the way she just puts it all out there on the court,” Busi said. “She'll tell the others not to let one ball drop.”

Balint is also a standout softball player for the Rockets.

In the spring she played shortstop and batted .355.

She played baseball until she was 13 and then switched to softball.

Balint wants to play a sport at the next level, but isn't sure if that will be volleyball or softball.

She did admit that volleyball was her favorite sport.

She also said getting noticed in volleyball has been an honor.

“It feels great and I never expected that,” Balint said. “I never tried to be noticed, but it's nice that I am.”

Busi expects another exceptional season from her tenacious libero.

“She's just a great kid,” Busi said, “and a very talented player.”