Caitlin Nolan’s coach believes she’s a hybrid of two of the best liberos Iowa State volleyball ever produced. That leads to a pretty lofty expectation for Nolan’s senior year.
“(Ashley) Mass was maybe the bst passer we’ve had,” ISU coach Christy Johnson-Lynch said last week. “I feel like (Kristen) Hahn was maybe the best defensive player we’ve had and Nolan is a nice combination of both.
“I think she can be the best libero in the country this year.”
Johnson-Lynch’s word carry considerable weight as her last three liberos, including Nolan, have earned All-American status. Her proclamation of Nolan’s potential is also squarely rooted in reality after Nolan was a third-team All-American last year and the Big 12 libero of th year.