Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

CORALVILLE – The life of a libero isn’t one of glamor.

The play of the backrow specialists are vital to the success of a volleyball team yet rarely come with the same attention as the hitters they help succeed.

For a cross-sport comparison think of a libero as the volleyball version of an offensive lineman.

The offensive line parallel is one Clear Creek Amana junior libero Meg Berkland has heard before.

Often actually.

“That’s exactly how we say it in our family, it’s like offensive line,” Berkland said. “My sister plays at UConn and she plays the libero also. It’s been in our family so we know it’s not a glamorous spot and my dad is a big football person so he makes that comparison.”

The comparison fits.

Just like Berkland fits at libero.

The 5-foot-2 Berkland is content doing her work out of the spotlight which is getting more and more difficult the way she has played at the state tournament.

Berkland has posted back-to-back efforts of 37 and 38 digs in five-set wins over third-ranked Marion and second-ranked North Scott helping eighth-ranked Clear Creek Amana (34-10) reach the state title game for the first time in program history.

Clear Creek Amana will face top-ranked Cedar Rapids Xavier (32-4) in the Class 4A state title game at 12:15 p.m. at Xtream Arena in Coralville.

Berkland is a big reason the Clippers have a shot at a state title.

“Meg is amazing,” Clear Creek Amana junior Bliss Beck said. “She is everywhere, all over the court all of the time. She is our rock back there and having her has helped our team so much.”

A three-year starter, Berkland has lead Clear Creek Amana in digs each of the past three seasons and already has more than 1,200 digs in her career.

This season she has emerged as one of the premier liberos in the state ranking 10^th in the state and second in 4A with 510 digs.

“She is definitely our spark plug and the glue that holds us together,” Clear Creek Amana coach Jackie Clubb said. “Because of what she does the girls like Bliss can step up and do what they do.”

The libero spot is perfect for Berkland.

She isn’t interested in the spotlight instead reveling in the success of her teammates.

While backrow play can be overlooked by some Berkland’s play doesn’t go unnoticed by her teammates.

“I don’t have to get attention but it feels great when I get a good dig and my teammates are very supportive,” Berkland said. “They know what I am doing in the back row and they appreciate me.”

Berkland has been simply spectacular in a pair of state tournament wins.

She had 37 digs in a quarterfinal win over Marion and was even better on Wednesday in a five-set upset of North Scott.

Berkland had 38 digs in the win over the Lancers.

North Scott had 230 attacks, 53 more than Clear Creek Amana, but the Clippers had 119 digs as a team and 17 blocks.

“Someone mentioned to me that I had 38 digs and I had no idea,” Berkland said. “It’s crazy.”

Berkland and the Clippers face perhaps their toughest test yet on Thursday in the form of top-ranked Cedar Rapids Xavier which is seeking a second 4A title in the past three season.

For Clear Creek Amana to pull a third consecutive upset Berkland will need to again be at her best.

“Her leadership is phenomenal, on the floor and off the floor,” Clubb said. “She is comfortable telling girls what to do and the girls are receptive too it. It’s great to have her. She has a high volleyball IQ.”

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