Carbondale, IL (U-WIRE) -- This year has been one of turning points for SIU volleyball.

Along with a coaching change, the transformation of six sophomores to upperclassmen has the program looking favorably on their chances to improve greatly on a 9-21 2004 record.

That's all well and good, but what may end up as the most important action of the past year is the addition of a 5-5 freshman from Louisville, Ky. who wants to major in computer engineering.

Kristy Elswick signed to come to SIU last November, two days after the team's season ended in a 3-0 loss to Missouri State. The signing received attention because Elswick was the first player to come to SIU on a scholarship to play the position of libero, a position for defensive specialists that has been used widely in the United States since only 1999.

For the libero, liberty on the court is something they can either revel in or be forced to handle certain restrictions.

On one hand, they can be substituted an unlimited number of times, they have their own line on the score sheet and they get to wear a specially colored uniform that makes them stand out.

On the other hand, liberos are restricted to playing only on the back row. They cannot serve, attempt to block or complete an attack hit when the ball is above the top of the net. Of course, that's not much of an issue anyway for Elswick and her small frame.

In 2004, the position was in the hands of Erica Miller, a senior who didn't start her career at the position and was ready to end her time at SIU. With Elswick, the program knew that they had a legitimate defensive specialist who would immediately be ready to take on the responsibilities of the position.

"Kristy was the first player on our list of people," said former head coach Sonja Locke around the time of Elswick's signing last fall.

"The first time we went after a libero, we got the person we wanted, and we're getting a player that is coming from the best high school program in the state of Kentucky."

That program is Assumption High School in Louisville, where Elswick won a state championship as a senior as well as all-state and all-district honors for herself.

"Kristy will make us better defensively and will bring a winning attitude to the team," Locke said in 2004.

Things changed around Elswick in the time since. The coach that recruited her decided to step down and a newcomer from Eastern Illinois - first-year head coach Brenda Winkeler - came into the picture. Some second thoughts about her decision surfaced, but Elswick never really wavered.

"I wanted to get away from home, four hours so it's close, not too far," Elswick said. "Coming here on visits, the team was nice, but I mainly came because I liked the school. You never know if coaches are going to move so I mainly chose just on academics and the campus."

As fellow newcomers, Winkeler and Elswick may end up having their fortunes tied together as long as Elswick remains at SIU. Judging by Winkeler's first impressions of her new libero, that is something she is excited about.

"I forget that she's a freshman, she's incredible," Winkeler said. "She's leading us in digs, she's our best passer. She has the mentality of a senior."

Elswick, who has enjoyed her transition to the college game, returns the good feelings.

"I think [Winkeler] is running a great practice, I've already learned a ton," Elswick said. "I've become more steady with my skills because of the way she has been coaching me. I'm feeling more confident about the way I've been playing."

Elswick came across volleyball at a young age. First, as a baby watching her parents play the game, later with schoolmates encouraging her all throughout her time in grade school and at the volleyball powerhouse Assumption, where 11 of the last 13 Kentucky volleyball titles have been won.

The pure enjoyment Elswick already had for volleyball increased as she became introduced to a position which suited her physical abilities.

"With my height I can't stand all around, I can't hit," Elswick said. "It's nice because I can stay in the game more of the time than just through rotation, it keeps me more active."

All the dos and don'ts regarding the libero are a byproduct of the importance the position has gained in volleyball over the last seven years. In '04 Locke mentioned that "the nature of the game is headed towards how good your defense is." Since the best defense is a good offense, in '05 SIU enters the season knowing that Elswick will be an x-factor in the team's chances for success.

"That's where the offense starts with passing," senior middle blocker Marissa Washington said. "[Elswick] is a really, really good passer. What she does is great, she's always there."

(C) 2004 Daily Egyptian via U-WIRE