It’s the super sectional game against Riverside Brookfield and the score is held at 20-24. The Wolves are down, but are not ready to let go of their season. With the responsibility of holding the back row secure, all the weight rests on senior Bianca Tomuta‘s shoulders.

As the super sectional game draws closer to an end, many people are left on the edge of their seats. Tomuta manages to prevent Riverside Brookfield from scoring, and leads the team to a well-deserved win, advancing to State this weekend.

“Bianca has been a major contributor all season and has been spectacular in playoffs. She has had amazing digs to stop the other team’s big hitters,” head coach Stacy Metoyer said.

Tomuta began her volleyball career at Lincoln Hall middle school as an outside hitter. In high school, she found her way to the back row and fell in love with her new position as libero.

“The toughest part about my position is that I need to be responsible for the whole back row,” Tomuta said. “Everything that drops is my responsibility. There is a lot of ground to cover, which makes the position difficult.”

Swaying side to side in the back row, Tomuta is on her toes, ready to get the first ball over the net.

“The best part [of playing libero] is being able to have an impact on every play. The game starts with a pass. I love being able to encourage the hitters, picking up scrappy balls, and being there to support and lift up the team in the rough patches,” Tomuta said.

At five feet and two inches, Tomuta faces opponents that stand over a foot above her height. While some may think that puts Tomuta at a disadvantage, they couldn’t be more wrong.

“To be honest, playing back row against such an outstanding player is a great feeling,” Tomuta said. “Some people would be frightened by such height and athletic ability, but it gives me an opportunity to push my limits and test my reflexes. It is always fun having someone challenge you, and I love being pushed to my limits.”

Watching Tomuta play, you’d never guess that she has never taken her talent to play for a club team. Tomuta is one of the only seniors who has never played club, but has still managed to become a phenomenal player with the help of her team and immense practices.

“I never played for a club team because I am involved in other sports. I did club swimming in the winters and soccer in the spring, so there really was no time for me to join a club for volleyball,” Tomuta said. “There are only so many hours in a day, meaning there is not enough time to do everything I love every single day of the year.”

Tomuta admits that she gets two very different, yet extreme responses from people when they learn she has never played for a club team.

“Some people think that it is insane how I start on a varsity volleyball team and have never done any work in the off-season to get there,” Tomuta said. “Other people seem to think that me being involved in the other sports is what gets me to being so talented in volleyball. They think playing soccer gives me quick feet, which guides my volleyball skills.”

Even with the lack of club experience, Tomuta is a confident and dependable teammate.

“For me personally, I want to have complete trust in my teammates, and Bianca is one of them that I have complete trust in,” senior setter and co-captain Eleni Balourdos said. “I know she’s always going to get the passes up and I know that in pressure situations she’s always going to make the play whether it’s getting her serve in or digging hits from some girl who’s 6’8″ when the score is 20-24.”

Tomuta’s natural athletic talent is aided by her hard work in practice as well as her positive attitude.

“Bianca works hard everyday and is always trying to get better,” Metoyer said. “The energy she brings to this team is like no other.”

Tomuta’s teammates agree that she has eternal energy on and off of the court.

“Bianca is someone with infectious energy, and everyone looks up to her for that. She is someone who will tell you the honest truth about if you’re not playing well and she will motivate you to do everything in your power to be better. She is the epitome of a team player, and I truly love having Bianca by my side in the back row,” Balourdos said.

Despite people’s doubts of beating the top team in the conference, New Trier, Tomuta has helped confidently guide her team to victory.

“Every time I tell someone our team is versing New Trier, I get a goofy look,” Tomuta said. “People expect us to lose, and being able to prove people wrong is an indescribable feeling. There is so much joy in beating the team that you’ve lost to so many times in the past.”

Being a part of Niles West’s most memorable season in volleyball history, Tomuta acknowledges her whole team for the success of their season.

“Of every team I’ve been on in my life, this team has worked together and cared for each other more than any other. It is a real blessing to end my volleyball career with such a caring and loving group of girls,” Tomuta said. “They make every practice, game, and outing worth my time and effort.”