The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current, September 17, 1998, Image 9

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Page 9 • Thursday, September 17, 1998
atching up with...
k Spiller redefines the tight end position atA&M
BY JASON LINCOLN
The Battalion
Reason the brunt of the Texas A&M Foot-
|Team’s receiving did not come from one
te wide receivers, but from a tight end.
ig the Aggie offense in catches, receiv-
|s, and receiving touchdowns, senior
Ipiller established himself as one of the
"£t ends in the Big 12 Conference.
Javier Vald« r started at A&M as a true freshman in
mental des- laying in every game. However, he
studies ma: mly one pass for 20 yards,
at yesterda, then Spiller’s role in the Aggies’ passing
bration a; P. s become significant. As a sophomore,
mght 14 passes for 194 yards,
oubled his yardage in 1997 with 25
DONORS f° r 4 36 yards and 4 touchdowns.
?r offers much more to the A&M of-
Contimei- an his receiving. At 6 feet 3 inches and
\r. L. inds, he brings a formidable blocking
e to the line despite being relatively
'Tuv-' r position,
i - e l th 31 1 can Pl a V better than 280-
ight ends,” Spiller said. “I feel like my
Sharp si: in advantage.”
Last weekend against Louisiana Tech, Spiller
came through for the Aggies with three receptions
for 20 yards including a two-point conversion, us
ing his speed to break open and make the plays.
“It was a big play in the ball game,” tight
ends coach Tam Hollingshead said. “We were
sitting on 19 points and we needed to get the
game to 21 points, so we went to Derrick on a
two-point situation.
“It was an excellent play, and he ran a really
good route to free himself up. So that was a re
ally big play for us.”
Spiller was selected to the second-team All-
Big 12 Conference in 1997.
With 659 career yards in 36 games and an av
erage of over 15 yards per reception, he has con
sistently come through for the Aggies when
called upon. According to Hollingshead,
Spiller’s strength, size, and speed make him
an “extremely fine athlete” that gets the job
done when its needed.
With Spiller teamed up with either tight end
Dan Campbell and RoDerrick Broughton, the
Aggies have a formidable option with tight ends.
see Spiller on Page 11.
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^■THE
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409.696.9099
www.review.com
The Princeton Beniew is wl associated milli Princeloi) Univeratr«ETC.
Greg McReynolds/Tjii Battalion
Derek Spiller caught three balls against La. Tech.
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ISTRATION BY MlKE FVJENTES/THE BATTALION
3 Hitter Summer Strickland
1 into the starting lineup.
BY ABBY LITTLE
The Battalion
A n injury can ruin a career,
or it can make a career
stronger. In junior outside
hitter Summer Strickland’s case,
her ankle injury has made her a
stronger player.
During her freshman year, she
badly sprained it, knocking off a
bone fragment, and underwent
two surgeries to repair the damage.
It was frustrating to Strickland
to not be able to play much her
freshman or sophomore year, but
Strickland said she thinks she has
overcome the injury.
“I started playing again this
season and it was still bothering
me a lot,” Strickland said. “I
could only do one practice a day
during two-a-days.
That was really frustrating. It’s
feeling really good right now and I
think it is almost to full strength.”
A&M Volleyball Team coach
Laurie Corbelli said she thinks
Strickland took her injury in stride.
“It’s too bad that it has been such
a long-term injury,” Corbelli said.
“She has managed it well. I think be
ing an athlete is a lot about injury
management and mentally not let
ting it distract you. I think she has
made great strides in learning how
to manage it. It doesn’t appear that
she is letting it bother her anymore
and I’m real proud of that.”
Because of her ankle injury.
Strickland saw limited action for
the past two years. She is starting
more this season and she said she
likes her new role.
“It’s been pretty good,” Strick
land said. “I think I’m playing OK.
I like starting more than sitting on
the bench, that’s for sure. I like
my role a lot. I’m having fun out
there, which is probably the most
important thing.”
With her starting more, she has
improved and set new career highs.
She bettered her career high for
digs twice this season, the first time
against Georgia Tech with 14 and
the second time against Southwest
Texas State with 16.
see Strickland on Page 11.
Faculty, State, &
Student Leaders!
F.A.C.T. (First-time Aggie Contact Team) is a program where faculty, staff,
& student leaders contact new Aggies to welcome them to the University
and ask about their experiences at A&M. F.A.C.T. will be conducted Mon
days through Thursdays, September 28 - October 15 from 6:00 - 9:00 PM
Please volunteer your time and energy to help our new Aggies feel at home.
You should be able to find a sign-up brochure in your department. If not,
feel free to call Yvonne Pena at 845-5826. The sign-up deadline is Septem
ber 21. Thank you in advance for your time and commitment.
* Aggie Orientation
Leader Program
STUDENT Department of Student Life
LIFE Student Life Orientation
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