BUFFALO TWP — Just two weeks into volleyball camp, bruises of purple and green — and a swirl of other interesting color combinations — cover Claire Crytzer's knees.

Small abrasions cover her elbows.

Such is the life of a high school volleyball libero.

But Crytzer, who is still relatively new to the position on the loaded Freeport girls volleyball team, wears the evidence of her pain like badges of honor.

“When I'm playing I don't feel it,” Crytzer said. “It's later when I do. I'll go home and it's like, 'Ow, am I bleeding?' I wouldn't trade it for anything, though.”

This will only be Crytzer's second year wearing the libero jersey. The senior started out her volleyball career as a setter.

She didn't get her first varsity start at that position until the WPIAL championship game during her sophomore season.

Before her junior season, she was moved to libero and has blossomed into one of the best all-around players, not only in the WPIAL, but the state.

“I think, in my eyes, she's one of the best if not the best libero in the WPIAL,” said Freeport coach Tom Phillips. “I think the thing about her is she's very fiery — you always have to have a redhead on your team. She just brings so much to the table.”

Crytzer has always been a natural leader.

It's no surprise then that her dream school is the Naval Academy, where she'd like to study political science and play volleyball.

She wants to be a member of Congress one day.

She's practicing that leadership on a daily basis with the Yellowjackets at a position that demands communication.

“You have to talk — a lot,” she said. “You have to communicate with your teammates on and off the court. You have to be a leader and take control.”

Crytzer, though, isn't a typical libero.

She brings more skills to the floor than one who typically plays that position.

“We run a lot of play sets for her to hit from the back row,” Phillips said. “She's a really good hitter.”

Crytzer believes that's one of the things that sets her apart and makes Freeport an even more potent team.

“I think it really is helpful as a surprise to people,” Cryzter said of her hitting. “Most liberos just pass the ball and teams are like, 'OK, don't hit it to them.' But it really catches them by surprise when I hit.”

Volleyball has served to surprise Crytzer, as well.

She's also a standout softball player and always thought that would be her game at the next level.

Crytzer hit .370 with five home runs and 22 RBI for the Yellowjacket softball team this spring.

Her goals changed, however, with her breakthrough junior season on the volleyball court last fall.

Crytzer was a key cog on a team that won their second consecutive WPIAL title.

“I went to softball showcases when I was in eighth grade and I always wanted to play softball in college,” Crytzer said. “My junior year in volleyball the team had so much success and I had so much fun, I decided to switch to volleyball. It was very hard. I still love softball.”

Crytzer marvels at where she was just two short years ago compared to where she is now in the sport of volleyball.

“I wasn't getting a lot of playing time, but I kept working and kept my foot on the gas,” Crytzer said. “I worked really, really hard at it. I put in a lot of hard work, hours and hours in the gym passing ball after ball after ball.”

And getting plenty of colorful bruises to show for it.

“I think it's a good example for some,” Crytzer said. “That if you work hard and keep your foot on the gas, good things can happen for you.”