it seems like you are selecting a position just based on height and while there is merit to that (typically...middles are tall, OH tall and strong)- liberos and setters tend to be shorter but these are fundamentally very different positions. Keep in mind the starting setter for big D1 schools are tall- Ella Swindle that plays for Texas is 6'3".

Libero:
- FAST, QUICK, observant and very willing to throw themselves on the floor to get the ball, almost with reckless abandon. And guess what... they LOVE it! The bruises pale in comparison with getting that ball! Libero's are also excellent at passing and/or figuring out how to keep the ball in play.

Setter:
- Strategic, thinks/plans offensively, high VB EQ- just "knows" who to set, what to play. Setters also have to be quick and get to the ball.

Imagine the coach asking you "what position do you feel comfortable playing in?" and you answering "whatever position you need me to play in." But it is hard to be that good in all positions. If you make a club team, you will practice one specific position and very little else. I guess, you need to be better than the other players who show up for tryouts in the specific position you are good at. And it is hard to tell how many other players will compete for that same position when you go to tryouts.

The team may not need a backrow setter if they have a taller setter who runs a 5-1.
I'd say it depends on how good a setter she is. If her hands are buttery soft, keep training as setter as lots try to move to libero when they get shut out of the front row due to height.

Do parents know that which position, the back-row setter or libero, is more challenging to play and less competitive during tryouts? which position is easier to secure on a high school team? Thank you!

My daughter is almost identical except a little shorter. Her plan is to try out for multiple club teams next year and see where she’s offered a spot since all of us know nothing is guaranteed year to year. That will be 8th grade. The same will be true for high school. Try out, see if she makes a team and if so, see where they put her. It’s so competitive now.

At 5'4'' and 13 years old, DD is diving into volleyball with experience as both a setter and libero. Her aim is to make the high school team and advance to varsity by Junior year. Given her height and skills, which position would be best suited for her: back-row setter or libero?