To spice up the game of volleyball, the NCAA added another rule to the sport this year.

The position “libero” was added to increase the level of passing and defense. The addition of the libero position follows rally scoring, which was added last season. The libero receives serves, digs attacks, passes and sets up teammates for a kill.

The reason for the rule additions: NCAA officials noticed passing numbers increasing internationally because of these two rules. They also noticed games flowing more smoothly.

Freshman defensive specialist Marley Bellwood and junior defensive specialist Emmy Miller are obviously excited about the position, seeing as they will be the two Spartans rotating as libero. As far as their styles go, the position is right up their ally.

“I’m definitely in favor of the position,” Bellwood said with a smile on her face. “It’s just a really good thing. Who would have thought we’d be able to play all the rotations.”

Miller wasn’t bashful to express her joy either.

“It’s a great position for us,” Miller said. “It gives us more time out there to play in more rotations, and we don’t have to go in for half and then sit out for half.

“We can play pretty much the whole game and stay in with the rhythm of the game. It also helps the other players count on us more because we’re out there all the time.”

But with the upsides there also are downsides. Liberos cannot serve nor can they set up another player for a kill in front of the 10-foot line. If done, the result is a point for the other team and a shift of the serve.

In order to keep the confusion at a minimum for both the team and the referees, the libero wears a different color jersey from the rest of the team.

But, Miller turned the somewhat confusing negative into a positive.

“With not allowing us to attack in front of the 10-foot line or serve, it allows us to solely focus on serve receive and defense in general,” she said.

“That is what (we defensive specialists) do best.”

Assistant coach Todd Dagenais has seen the rule working in the international league, and he had nothing but praise for the addition.

“Basically you have your best defensive player on the floor for the majority of the match,” Dagenais said.

“Libero comes from the Italian word meaning ‘free,’ so the player is free to move on and off the court at will between any rally.”

A year ago, defensive specialists would traditionally only play half of the rotations. With the new rule it allows the player to play five out of the six rotations.

Miller can’t imagine another rule that’s more of a perfect fit for the Spartans.

“It seems to fit our team really well,” Miller said. “Because of our depth and because we have a number of defensive players, I think this will help us this year.