The Iowa State volleyball team has certainly had its struggles this season, but replacing two time All-American and current Team USA member Kristen Hahn has not been one of them.

Junior libero Caitlin Nolan won the preseason battle for the right to step into Hahn’s position on the court and has been turning heads ever since.

“She is certainly one of the best [in the Big 12],” said ISU volleyball coach Christy Johnson-Lynch. “I would put her up against just about anyone. She does both. She can play defense and pass. There are not many liberos who can be great at both.”

Already a three time selection for Big 12 defensive player of the week a little more than halfway through the season, Nolan only continues to get better, as her best matches have come in the team’s last two outings.

Nolan broke an ISU record and tied a Big 12 record on Oct. 22 with 43 digs in a five-set win against then No. 18 Kansas, the first ranked opponent to fall at the hands of Iowa State all season.

Nolan followed that effort by amassing 35 digs in a five-set loss at Baylor on Oct. 25, which is tied for the ninth best mark in school history.

Nolan said that even she could not have predicted this level of success would come so quickly, if at all.

“This was not at all expected,” Nolan said. “To be honest with you, I did not know I was even close to that record [during] that game. It was pretty cool. It has been a blessing.”

Johnson-Lynch said that the signs of potential greatness were present in Nolan’s game long before she began setting records and winning awards.

“It started many years ago in club,” Johnson-Lynch said. “We watched her probably since she was a freshman or sophomore in club. She has always been pretty talented. Some kids just kind of have a special touch, a special knack for how to pass the ball.”

Nolan as a leader

Senior outside hitter Victoria Hurtt and junior right side hitter Mackenzie Bigbee, both of whom played with Hahn for multiple years and have All-America selections on their resumes, described Nolan as a primary leader for the Cyclones both on the court and in the locker room.

“She is being a great leader for this team,” Hurtt said. “I think that is what great players do. They come out every game and they look the same, act the same and play the same.”

Nolan admitted that producing consistently amidst the pressure of elevating to a starting role, specifically one formerly occupied by a player as successful and well known as Hahn, required a shot of mental toughness.

“I learned a lot from Hahn,” Nolan said. “She was a good leader. She was one of the most competitive people you are ever going to be around — not just in volleyball, but in everything you do. There is obviously going to always be a little bit of pressure. I can not say I did not feel it. I just did not let it phase me.”

Aside from bringing energy and an unmatched verbal enthusiasm, as well as producing at incredibly high levels, Nolan said she and Hahn are actually very different players.

Because of that, Nolan shies away from making comparisons between herself and the former ISU star, which has helped her acclimate to her new, prominent position with Iowa State.

Now comfortable in all of her numerous roles on the team, Nolan said creating the same type of presence that Hahn did day in and day out is at the top of her list of priorities.

“Leadership means everything,” Nolan said. “We have a lot of young girls on this team. I would not say it is keeping people in check. It is more [about] when people have questions, being the first one to answer and letting them know I am always here.”

The team and the coaching staff have taken notice of Nolan’s efforts and appreciate them. As the accolades and stats continue to pile up, the rest of the Big 12 is beginning to as well.

“I knew she had potential,” Hurtt said. “I knew she was going to be great. I did not know she was going to be this great.”