The Gophers have acquired libero/D.S. Kate Thibault through the portal (transfer from now Big Ten School Oregon). Thibault comes in as a sophomore, with three years of eligibility remaining. “I’m just so stoked to be a Gopher,” said Thibault. “Being from Minnesota, it was my dream to play for my home state.”
Thibault was a two-time Class 2A all-state Libero for Watertown-Mayer H.S. (always a strong program), finishing her prep career with nearly 2,300 digs, breaking the state digs-record as a senior. She also played Club (with Schickels and the Swensons) for MN-Select.
Thibault was apparently passed over by the Gophers when Coach McCutcheon signed #1 nationally-ranked Libero Laney Choboy. But when McCutcheon stepped away from coaching, Choboy changed her mind and became a Cornhusker instead, and Thibault went to Eugene — where she seems to have played D.S., averaging 1.34 digs, 0.31 aces and 0.08 assists per set (not exactly Libero stats) behind Oregon’s All-American Honorable Mention Libero. Then again, Oregon was an Elite Eight Team last fall.
I surely saw Thibault play in at least one State HS tournament, maybe two, but I don’t actually remember her. Part of that is because a Libero can be invisible (especially when you’re watching two simultaneous matches) – unless they’re weak — then you notice ‘right ’em. So I can’t say if Thibault is more skilled, or less skilled, than Palabiyik. But we need both a Libero and a D.S., so Thibault will almost surely help the Gophs either way.Ans she sounds like a really strong server.
I am thrilled that the Gophs have a second, legitimate, Libero candidate. But in my mind, Libero was the second priority – we still need Middles!