Replacing players is a part of collegiate sports; it’s a given, and teams do it year in and year out. Replacing an All-American, on the other hand, is an entirely different story.

ISU volleyball is affectionately known as Libero U for its continuous production at the libero position. All-American Kristen Hahn handed the baton to All-American Caitlin Nolan, and Nolan will now be handing the baton to the next player in line.

However, ISU coach Christy Johnson-Lynch isn’t sure who will be next in line to receive the baton from Nolan. That’s why this spring season is so important for the Cyclones.

“Probably as difficult as it’s been every other year we’ve had to replace a libero,” Johnson-Lynch said. “We’ve had to do it a lot of times and every time the next libero steps up and fills those shoes very well.”

Branen Berta, Abby Phillips and Hali Hillegas are all in consideration for the spot. Berta is currently a junior, and Phillips and Hillegas are freshmen.

“On our team right now we have three great candidates and they’re working their butts off,” Johnson-Lynch said. “I feel really good with whoever wins that position because it means they had to beat out two other really good players.”

The Cyclones traveled to Hawaii to kick off their spring season last weekend. Phillips recorded 28 digs as the ISU libero.

Hillegas also saw time at Libero in Hawaii. She recorded 10 digs in the loss in four sets.

The team combined for 12 digs per set. Iowa State makes it a focus to find and develop the best talent at the libero position.

“We really focus on it in our recruiting and go out and get the best ones we can find and then I think we make it a focus of our training so we spend a lot of time on it,” Johnson-Lynch said. “We have really good coaches that can train the libero position.”

Nolan averaged 5.78 digs per set last season, which was good for third most in school history. While it appears the Cyclones will be able to replace her production, it’ll be just as important to replace her leadership.

“It’s going to be really hard [to replace her] because she was such a great part of our team,” said outside hitter Jess Schaben.

It’s important for the libero position to be very vocal; it is the defensive anchor on a team. That’s something Nolan excelled in for the Cyclones.

Johnson-Lynch said she wants her seniors to step into that leadership role. The rest will be by personality.

Sophomore middle blocker Alexis Conaway is one of the most consistent players for the Cyclones. She will help fill the leadership void left by Nolan.

“Personally just being a more vocal leader on the court,” Conaway said. “That’s something we’ll be missing with Catlin Nolan. She was a huge leader on our team. Just stepping up into that position.”

Johnson-Lynch believes she has a number of good options to fill the leadership void.

“I think we have a lot of good candidates and a couple of people that like to talk,” Johnson-Lynch said.