With the game on the line, a point in the air and the ball sailing toward an undefended corner, a volleyball team relies on one player ahead of the rest to save the rally and fight on.
The libero, a specially designated player bound by rule to focus almost entirely on defense, stretches and dives to keep the ball from touching the floor — and coming into this season, defending national champion Penn State didn't have one.
Keeton Holcomb, a freshman from Bellville, Texas, won the role as the Nittany Lions' primary libero in September and hasn't made her team regret it.