The Nansemond-Suffolk Academy girls’ volleyball team did not become a two-time defending state champion by accident.

The first key ingredient to the Lady Saints’ success is coach Robyn Ross, who progressively builds up her players’ volleyball IQ while regularly taking them through a rigorous practice regimen. The second key ingredient is dedicated players who Ross can ask to jump, and they will say, “How high?”

If Ross were to respond with a measurement, junior outside hitter Livi Bono could match it up to 30 inches or so and would push for more if more was asked. These have been important factors in her becoming both an offensive leader and the Duke Automotive-Suffolk News-Herald Player of the Week.

“She sets a high standard,” Bono said of her coach. “I just try to meet that every time.”

Ross may not be asking for specific jump measurements, but she has asked for a lot from Bono this year and has gotten a lot in return.

“She has become such a steady go-to person for so many different things, not just hitting, but she’s really holding her own when she’s back there serving,” Ross said. “She’s always in the passing pattern and playing great all the way around. She had a lot put on her shoulders this year with everybody graduating, and she’s just been amazing.”

Bono, who had a personal goal of being nominated for Player of the Week, achieved that goal with a trio of standout performances during the week of Oct. 4.

In a 3-0 road win over Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School on Oct. 8, she led her team with 11 kills to go with seven aces and 13 digs. In a 3-0 home win over Norfolk Collegiate School on Oct. 6, she led NSA with 12 kills, added two aces, and in a 3-0 home victory over Southampton High School on Oct. 5, she led the Lady Saints with 20 kills.

The first time opposing teams face Bono, she can often take them by surprise. Standing at only 5 feet, 7 inches tall with a slender build, she does not fit the typical description of a team’s offensive standout.

“I love it,” Bono said. “When we’re warming up, no one can tell (I’m) a good hitter.”

Ross explained Bono’s attributes that help make her a star.

“Quickness more so than anything is what is going to make somebody successful offensively,” she said, noting the thing that sets Bono apart is the remarkable speed of her arm swing. “Livi makes up for mass with speed.”

Her extraordinary jumping ability is also important.

“Yes, she’s shorter, but she probably touches (the ball at) the same height as most of those girls that were much taller than her,” Ross said.

Contributing to both her swing and her jump is a strength that has stunned her father, Mike Bono, from the time she was a baby pulling all her weight up on two hands to climb a countertop.

“It’s almost superhuman strength,” he said.