Being recruited to play libero on the ISU volleyball team can be an exciting, yet daunting challenge.

For freshman Branen Berta, it means to follow in the footsteps of a pair of All-Americans in Ashley Mass and Kristen Hahn, as well as current junior libero Caitlin Nolan, who has picked up where her predecessors left off by racking up three Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week honors thus far.

While Nolan appears to have the libero position locked up through next season, it has not kept Berta off the court as a defensive specialist.

“I think she’s had such an awesome freshman year,” said ISU coach Christy Johnson-Lynch. “We’re giving her a lot of responsibilities passing. Sometimes she’s even passing with Nolan; that’s not something you typically give to a freshman. She’s handling it really well.”

Berta’s knack for the ball and keeping points alive have resulted in extended playing time as the season has gone. The Aurora, Colorado native has competed in 59 of 81 sets this season, but has not missed action since conference play began.

Though she has been able to make an impact early on, receiving playing time was not a foregone conclusion before the season began.

“I didn’t know, I didn’t expect myself to play as a freshman,” Berta said. “I expected to contribute to the team, whether that was on the court or on the bench. I expected to still bring that fire as a freshman, but being able to play as a freshman is such an honor and I’ve got a lot of experience from it.”

Part of that experience involves playing alongside Nolan, who has taken Berta under her wing as a potential heir to the libero position.

“Me and Berta have actually gotten really close,” Nolan said. “I think we try to look to each other. Really – all the liberos – if something’s going wrong or if we have a question on something, we’ll kind of get together for input.”

The success Nolan has found in her first year leading the team has not gone unnoticed by Berta, who has found inspiration to carry the torch at a position that has led to the ISU volleyball team’s nickname “Libero U.”

“She has such a drive and a passion that other players don’t have, which is really inspiring for me,” Berta said of Nolan. “She’s a great defensive player – a great libero. Everything about her. She’s just really motivated me to be the best player I can be.”

Early in Berta’s career, Nolan’s leadership has rubbed off on Berta, who Johnson-Lynch now feels comfortable playing in crunch time, whereas earlier in the season she was standing on the sideline.

“She has a really nice, calm demeanor out there and I think the team’s comfortable with her out there and having her passing, even in critical situations,” Johnson-Lynch said. “I think she calms us a little bit.”

Berta exudes a steady focus while the ball is in the air, but after a successful point, her bulldog-like façade is shed to celebrate alongside her teammates.

“I show a lot of passion out on the court,” Berta said. “I get excited for points and I cheer and yell.”

Her energy is also matched by her humor, a welcome characteristic to bring to the team.

“She’s definitely a funny one,” Nolan said. “She’s definitely comic relief, [that] would be a good way to put it.”

With a handful of conference games and the NCAA Tournament still on the docket for the Cyclones, Berta’s early contributions as a teammate and competitor have already rendered her freshman campaign a success in many ways.

“I think it’s gone incredibly well,” Berta said. “I didn’t know what to expect as a freshman, but I’ve learned so much and I’ve grown as a player as well as a person, being involved with this team and being around coaches. I expect great things for everyone else for this year and next season.”