A ball hurls toward the floor, but a diving effort pops it up as the setter runs to pass the ball to the hitter who is in the air by the time it sails over to her. The hitter connects but is blocked and the team scrambles so that the ball doesn’t touch the ground. This time the setter goes to a different hitter and fires the ball into the corner of the court, it hits the floor and the point is won.
College volleyball is a fast-paced sport. Even players who have years of experience sometimes have trouble keeping up with the Division I play that the Cal State Fullerton women’s volleyball team goes up against.
But for three newcomers – Ashley Collier, Andrea Ragan and Jennifer Edmond – that is what it’s all about. They love the competition, they work hard in practices and in games, and their work has caused them to be what Head Coach Carolyn Zimmerman said was instrumental to the success of the Titans this season.
Collier, a junior, transferred to CSUF from Orange Coast College where she had taken a season off after playing for Belmont University for two years.
Collier wanted to be closer to her home in Huntington Beach and felt that CSUF had a competitive program where she could grow as a player.
“I was really nervous because I was transferring in as an upperclassman; usually with the upperclassman everyone respects them and I was unsure being a new person but an upperclassman,” Collier said. “So in our preseason I had to show who I was really fast so that I still gained that respect.”
Collier had previously played primarily as an outside hitter that played every rotation, but she said an injury has kept her in the position of a defensive specialist.
Being in for three rotations at a time has been an adjustment for Collier, but she works hard to make the most out of those rotations.
“It’s hard since I’m not on the court all the time. I just try to do what I can to bring in more energy, especially when we’re down, to pick up the team and get as much done in those three rotations that I can," Collier said.
Zimmerman said her passing has noticeably contributed to the team. Even though she may not always get the big digs, Zimmerman said that Collier’s passing percentage usually correlates with the success of the team.
“When Collier passes well, the team tends to do well,” Zimmerman said.
Collier said the Titans all work together to become better players. She said she’s also become close to and comfortable with the team and that they were very open to accepting the newer players. But it was her love of the sport that has always kept her going.
“It’s just what I live for. I’ve done it my whole life and I didn’t play last year and missed it so much,” Collier said. “Not playing last year gave me so much motivation and helped fuel me … in every part of the game to do my best.”
Ragan, a freshman, came to the Titans from Nipomo High School starting the season as the back-up setter to sophomore Genie Francisco. When Francisco was suddenly lost for the season due to an injury, the freshman was thrust into the spotlight in what could be called the “quarterback” position of a volleyball team.
“At first it was scary, but after knowing that I was going to be going in at the beginning of the game I was ready,” Ragan said. “It wasn’t too hard because I’d been practicing just the same as Genie and I feel like I connected with the hitters."
Ragan’s relaxed attitude is one of the things Zimmerman said makes her stand out. Zimmerman said that she’s a “blue-collar” hard worker but maintains an even temperament.
“She is very steady so the team isn’t worried about how she’ll play. They know what to expect with Andrea,” Zimmerman said.
Ragan continued playing volleyball in college because she loves the sport and didn’t want to give it up. In coming to CSUF, Ragan felt that she’s found a team that has chemistry both on and off the court.
“Everyone seems to be positive, whether you’re playing or you’re not playing, everyone is cheering and everyone is trying to get people to do better,” Ragan said.
She feels that she’s connected with the team and by playing with them she has become more of a team player. Francisco has also given Ragan the advice that only a veteran setter can give.
“A lot of times Genie gives me a lot of support on the court. If the sets are too far inside or too far outside then she helps me or tells me what I need to do or what she sees,” Ragan said.
Ragan hopes to continue to grow with the team and with her high winning percentage and work-ethic big things await her.
Edmond, another freshman in the program, loved CSUF from the first time she came to practice during her recruiting process and felt an instant connection to the team.
“I can’t imagine myself with any other group of girls. Not only are they awesome athletes and competitors, but great people and great friends,” Edmond said.
The Bishop Montgomery High School graduate has always loved the pressure of fast-paced volleyball games, but realized that she was representing the school and would have to work hard to gain a position on the team.
“I’ve been in situations like this before where I’ve had to work my way up into getting more playing time,” Edmond said.
Her hard work in practices paid off when she began starting in the normal rotations this season and earned her the nickname “Warrior” from Zimmerman and the rest of the team.
She is counted on as a hitting option even from the back row and Zimmerman said that her spirit and energy raise the team’s level.
“She’s a real student of the game,” Zimmerman said.
Edmond considers herself as only one part of the whole team and was taken aback by the powerful connotation of the nickname, but at the same time she works hard to be worthy of the title.
“I just try to bring my intensity vocally, and through my playing I try to go hard,” Edmond said. “Even some days when I don’t feel like I have enough energy, I just try to fire myself up and do what I can for my team.”
Playing for the Titans has motivated Edmond to keep working hard no matter what. She said when she hears Collier’s voice on the court or watches co-captains Brittany Moore and Alex Wolnisty working hard it makes her always try her hardest.
“The Warrior” desires to continue to step up and play her game to bring pride to her team and her school.
Newcomers strengthen women's volleyball
Collier, Ragan and Edmond still have Titans in playoff hunt.
Published: Thursday, November 20, 2008
Updated: Thursday, November 20, 2008
6 comments
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your babydaddy
Volleyball sucks but we had fun last night
Damn Nudes On My Lawn For God Sakes!!!
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