By Chelsea Gonye

Erin Saddler has been leading by example for the Titans all season since her move from middle blocker to outside hitter. Photo Courtesy Titan Media Relations.

For the Daily Titan

Junior Erin Saddler continues to lead the Cal State Fullerton women’s volleyball team to victory, recording 19 kills on Saturday night to help the Titans win their third match in a row, including its 15th match of the season.

This is only the sixth time in the university’s history that it has accomplished that feat.

The 20-year-old business major from Bellflower, Calif., is currently on an athletic scholarship for her volleyball skills.

It all started in seventh grade when she got involved with club volleyball, playing two years with Specifit then moving on to the club team Mizuno out of Long Beach while also playing at Downey High School.

Even though she has not always been the star of her team, for Saddler, the personal success comes in a close second to her team doing well on the court.

Saddler was a scholar athlete at Downey High School and earned the Stauffer Athletic Scholar Award all four years.

In 2006, as a senior, Saddler earned CIF Southern Section First Team honors, and she was also named to the Long Beach Press Telegram Dream Team.

Junior Cami Croteau, who has played four years alongside Saddler, one on Mizuno and three years at CSUF, said, “Erin is smart on the court and is very team-oriented, but she is also very humble and always fun to be around.”

Saddler explained that she enjoys volleyball because it is a team-oriented sport.

“Everyone has to contribute and play their hardest,” Saddler said. “It leads to the greatest victory.”

Saddler attributed much of her success to her parents, Joseph and Rachelle Saddler, saying, “They are very supportive and have only missed two away tournaments.”

She has two older brothers, one of whom played boy’s volleyball at Downey High School but did not pursue a collegiate career.

Saddler said that after the boy’s high school coach saw her brother play it piqued an interest about her.

As a Titan freshman in 2007, Saddler was a middle blocker and only started in eight matches.

However, she was able to put together a solid freshman year, playing in all 111 games and went on to start in 28 of 32 matches her sophomore year.

Junior outside hitter Erin Saddler celebrates with her teammates during a home game at Titan Gym. Photo Courtesy Titan Media Relations.

Now in her third year for the Titans, she has found a new home playing outside hitter and has become more versatile as an all-around player, able to be put in other positions if necessary.

Women’s volleyball coach Carolyn Zimmerman said there is much more to Saddler besides talent and just using her brain out on the court.

“First of all, Erin’s height, at 6 feet 3 inches tall, is something that cannot be coached,” Zimmerman said. “She sees a lot of angles for different shots, and she is extremely dedicated to making herself a better player and the team. She is very moldable and open to criticism which is not always easy for a player to hear and handle.”

Saddler’s other accomplishments, besides being a full-time student, include a bronze medal at the Junior Olympics in 2005 and silver medals in 2006 and 2007.

When Saddler doesn’t perform well, she is the first one to want to watch tapes of herself and improve and prepare for future matches.

Most of Saddler’s career highs were in 2008 and much of the Titans’ success this season can be attributed to her play.

Although the future is uncertain, the coaches are excited about her progress and feel she will only get better.