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Sports
Page 7 • Tuesday, September 28, 1999
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DAYS OF
Strickland emerges as standout
for Texas A&M Volleyball Team
BY JASON LINCOLN
The Battalion
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Vith her strength and skill, senior Summer Strickland stands out as one of A&M’s most versatile players.
T he Texas A&M Volleyball Team is ranked No. 16
in the nation and is tied for the Big 12 lead. The
surprising part of the Aggies’ success is they have
achieved it without any dominating, headlining players.
A casual glance at the Aggies reveals no stand
outs. But a closer look shows a team dominated by
seniors with consistency and talent that is often un
derestimated. Despite not attracting much attention,
one of these seniors, outside hitter Summer Strick
land, is emerging as a standout for the Aggies.
“No one realizes how good she is,” A&M volley
ball coach Laurie Corbelli said. “Summer is often mis
judged, and she exploits it.”
Strickland has emerged as a player that can be ef
fective in most areas of the court. The combination
of her skill and strength has allowed her to become
one of A&M’s most versatile players.
Her multifunctional role for the team is highlight
ed with her position as a primary passer. By receiv
ing the serve and passing to the team’s setter, Strick
land is key in setting up A&M’s offense.
She also is a right-side, second-tempo hitter. Be
cause the right side is often the weak side, Strickland
is able to alter the direction of the Aggie attack and
catch opposing defenses off-guard.
In her role as back-up setter, the senior can be
relied on in case the designated setter is forced to
field a ball.
All of these roles are in addition to the blocking
power and strong defensive presence that has al
ways characterized her play throughout her career
at A&M.
“She brings a lot of athletic ability, long training
hours and consistent performance to the team,” Cor
belli said. “She is somewhat mellow, but there is a
ton of skill and a ton of talent there. She contributes
a lot of speed and power for the team.”
Strickland is often underestimated by opponents,
which is a major factor in her blocking success.
Even though she stands a respectable 5 feet, 11
inches, defenders often misjudge her size because her
appearance is very slim and belies her height and
strength. Unsuspecting opponents try to hit over
Strickland, and she is often able to get the block.
In her first collegiate game in 1996, Strickland
showed defensive ability that has highlighted her
style of play ever since.
“My first play in my first game of my freshman
year was a stuff,” Strickland said. “And then right af
ter that I had another block. It was an awesome way
to start off. ”
Strickland’s casual, easy-going approach seems to
help bring the team together and set the tempo, yet
her style can shift drastically as a result of big plays
and on-the-court success. She often goes from mel
low to wired as the result of a single block or kill.
“Summer gets a lot of energy from her blocking;
it really pumps her up,” senior teammate Celia
Howes said. “It also pumps up the team in a couple
ways. Just to have that physical force there as a block
er really gives the team confidence.
“She has that ‘snarl’ after a big play, and every
body gets excited by her energy. ”
The change in attitude also shows a shift in her
level of play. Strickland performs with better effi
ciency when she is fired up, a transition that affects
the team positively.
“Her natural mode is not very intense,” Corbelli
said. “She is not an obviously-driven player. Yet she
is very consistent and very predictable and the team
responds to her play.”
As a team leader, Strickland helps A&M become a
team that sports a well-balanced attack from all po
sitions on the court.
“Summer really balances us out as our passing
leader,” Howes said.
Without a headlining player, such as last year’s
All-American Stacy Sykora, the team has found suc
cess through its seniors.
“Stacy was an awesome player,” Strickland said.
“This year, instead of having one dominating player,
its nice to have a whole team.”
This year’s seniors — Strickland, Howes, Lauri
Leahy and Amber Woolsey — have combined to form
a more stable and consistent team on the way to their
goal of winning the Big 12 Conference.
“Our main hope this season is that we can win the
Big 12,” Strickland said. “This year probably marks
our best chance and the seniors’ last.
“I think we have the talent and chemistry to get it
done this year.”
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