Career
Currently playing for Nordstrand in her second spell, she has previously played for Leipzig, Nordstrand, Snertingdal and Toten. 2 November 1997, Sørlie Lybekk debuted in a friendly against Germany, marking the beginning of a long career for the Norwergian side. She participated in consecutive international championships from her debut in the 1998 European Championships until the 2008 Olympics, except for the 2004 European Championships where she was dropped after having suffered injuries preventing her from a necessary build-up, and the World Championships the following year.
At the 2004 European championship she was not included in the main team, but was listed as home reserve.
Before the 2000 Olympics, she was named vice-captain for Kjersti Grini, and when Grini withdrew from the 2000 European Championships she captained her national team at the age of 22 at a difficult moment when many experienced players had recently retired. She remained in this position until the 2003 World Championship where Gro Hammerseng took over the captaincy.
The tournament was disappointing for both the squad and Sørlie Lybekk, as they finished 6th in the tournament keeping them out of the Olympic tournament the following year. In the tournament Sørlie Lybekk, now 29, contributed with her international experience and calm, in both ends of the pitch.
Norway went undefeated through the tournament, and scoring 7 goals in the final against Russia as well as making a profound impression throughout the tournament, she was selected into the All Star Team of the tournament (as pivot/line player).
The success sparked speculation that she would retire from international duty when she was on top of her long career. As a line player, Sørlie Lybekk is known for secure finishing when she dispatches from the 6-meter line, often after relentless fighting for positions in the most crowded area of the defense. The playing style is efficient, but not as spectacular as other notable players in her generation of Norwegian handballers.