BEAUMONT, Texas – With the official start of the 2019 campaign just over two weeks away, LamarCardinals.com is taking time to inspect this season's squad on a position-by-position basis. Today's focus is the defensive specialist.
 
Defensive Specialists
The defensive specialist or libero is on the back row and has impeccable ball control. The DS/L needs to be a great passer and an even better digger. They roam around the court and focus on keeping the ball in the air for their team. Defensive specialists want to maximize their team's chances to score and keep the game alive.

"A defensive specialist's job is an important one that has little recognition attached," said Kuester. "Their main job is to keep the other team from scoring. They are the protectors and are solely responsible for making sure that the offensive players are in a good position to score points. This position brings a level of control to the game and definitely sets the energy and pace. The better our defense and serve receive is, the better the chances our offensive players/team will be successful."

Lamar brings back a great mix of veteran experience and new talent at the defensive specialist position. Erin Pequeno is the lone returnee on the roster but has been with the team since 2015, and the rookies are Steelie Ledbetter, Dylann Guerra, and McKenzie Bennett.

Erin Pequeno
Last season Pequeno played in 81 sets of 26 matches and led the Cardinals in digs with 239. She averaged 2.95 digs a set, and also has an impressive .957 serving percentage.

"Erin is the player that is the glue that holds this team together in more ways than one," said Kuester. "She is a leader on and off the court as well as our primary passer. Erin has been a coach from the court for us through the summer as well as preseason. We anticipate Erin doing big things for this team this season."

Steelie Ledbetter
Ledbetter comes to Lamar from Maypearl High School in Maypearl, Texas, where she played in 474 sets, appearing in 165 career matches. She had 1,756 digs and 201 service aces across four years of varsity play and led her team to the playoffs all four seasons including a 2018 Regional Semi-Final Championship, a 2017 Regional Quarterfinal championship, a 2016 Area Championship, and a 2015 District Championship. She was a two-time All-State member, a three-time All-District Defensive Player of the Year, and a two-time AVCA Phenom Athlete.

"Steelie is a freshman that has tremendous potential. Her athleticism will get her very far in our program. Her foot speed paired with her extremely competitive nature will help her find court time early in her career. Every practice she makes tremendous strides to learn and adapt to what we are doing," said Kuester.

Dylann Guerra
Guerra is a four-year letterwinner and a 2018 First-Team All-District member. She led her team to an undefeated District Championship in 2018 and was the 2015 Newcomer of the Year. She had 632 digs and 74 aces her final two years of high school.

"Dylann is our little fire cracker. She is very talented and as soon as she is able to get ahold of our system she will do very well," said Kuester. "She is also one of our best defensive players. She flies around and makes big time plays in the libero role. Dylann has an eagerness to learn and make changes and we cannot ask for more out of our athletes than that."

McKenzie Bennett
Bennett played 316 career sets at the varisty level at College Station High School. She had 946 career digs and 811 career assists as she played a dual setter and libero role. She was a member of the All-State tem in 2018 and helped her team earn Bi-District Championships in 2016 and 2017.

"Kenzie is one of our most versatile players," said Kuester. "She doubles as a defensive specialist and a setter for us. Her serve receive has already improved in the little time that she has been here and is becoming one of the best passers in our gym already. We are excited to have her here at Lamar and she will not have trouble finding the floor."

Check back with LamarCardinals.com on Friday for the next position preview - the middle blocker.