The success of the Cavalier volleyball team (13-6, 6-4 ACC) this season is largely because of the leadership of the upperclassmen. However, the team has also seen major contributions from their two freshmen, outside hitters Lauren Dickson and Tara Hester. Without their performances, the Cavaliers' season thus far could have been a different story.
Dickson in particular has been vital to the Cavaliers' success this season. The absence of junior outside hitter Sarah Kirkwood because of illness launched Dickson into a leadership role. Kirkwood leads the team in both kills per game (3.60) and digs per game (3.07). She has only recently returned to full strength after three weeks of rest.
However, the Cavaliers were able to maintain their level of play without Kirkwood, in large part because of Dickson. She is second on the team in kills (212), despite only starting 13 out of the 19 matches the Cavaliers have played. In the team's most recent win against Miami, Dickson led the team in kills (14) and attack percentage (.308).
Dickson "is playing really well," Virginia coach Melissa Shelton said. "With Sarah's illness she's really had to step up and she's done a great job. We're really proud of her."
Hester has not received as much playing time, appearing in only nine matches. However, she has stepped up for the Cavaliers at important times. With her tremendous work ethic, she will be a threat for the Cavaliers in the coming years.
Hester "is just a little tiger in practice," Shelton said. "She works really hard. She came in and served some for us [against Miami]. She's going to be a big key for us in the future."
Although their roles on the team as freshmen can sometimes be daunting, both players are enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute to the team in games. They will have to be up to the challenge as Shelton continues to give them chances to prove that their teammates can depend on them night in and night out.
"It's been fun," Dickson said. "It's been a challenge. I've just been really excited that I've gotten to see the court."
Although the two freshmen have made the transition to the college game look easy, college volleyball presents many new challenges. In particular, college defenses are much more athletic, allowing clean kills to only the most cunning of attackers.
"People are just a little bit faster and bigger," Dickson said. "You've got to incorporate a lot more strategy into your game than just getting up and hitting wherever you want to. ... You're not going to have as many holes here so I've just been working on hitting the other team's hands."
Both players were undeniably the stars of their high school squads. Both were among the 21 finalists for National Senior of the Year and were selected as high school All-Americans in 2005. They also each hold the all-time career record in kills for their high schools. However, at the college level, just like every other sport, everyone is a superstar.
"In high school you can have one good player and be successful," Hester said. "In college you really need a whole team all the way through to win games."
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