Nov. 8, 2006

The best defensive volleyball players play low to the ground. That would make the 5-foot-1 Jenny Andresen NJC's defensive stopper by default.

Like a tall middle hitter at the net, Andresen uses her height to her advantage.

"Volleyball is a tall game," Andresen said. "But shorter players are usually quicker and can get to more balls."

Andresen's responsibility as the Libero in the "off-colored" shirt is to create a smooth transition from defense to attack mode. And Andresen has developed a baseball center-fielder's mentality since she started playing competitive volleyball in the seventh grade.

"My job is to go get every ball...do or die, hit the floor," Andresen said. "I want to keep every ball alive."

The sophomore transfer from Otero led the 35-7 Plainswomen with 543 digs during the regular season. And those digs usually created scoring opportunities for her more vertically-suited, offensive-minded teammates.

Andresen's proficiency at creating smooth transition is the root of the success of NJC's "two-setter" offense. Andresen's clean digs that drop toward the middle of the floor by the net have aided setters Brittany Palmer and Stacy Manweiler in compiling close to 1500 assists as a combo.

"My goal is to get the ball to the transition box," Andresen said about setting up kills. "I want to get the ball to the setter in the middle of the court."

The Plainswomen's defensive specialist from Parker does more than just create opportunities for the outside hitters to score. Andresen features a running, jump serve. This weapon in her offensive arsenal was responsible for 68 service aces during the regular season.

Andresen's defensive prowess is a well-known fact. But at 5-1 she's obviously not a major force as a blocker at the net. However she was credited with a "block" on the stat sheet earlier in the season. When she asked assistant coach Robby Haley how she recorded a "block" of all things, Haley set the record straight.

"There is nothing you can do on the volleyball court that would be considered a block," Haley said to Andresen with a joking smile. "That's just bad stat keeping."

Andresen doesn't mind the ribbing. In fact, she transferred to NJC this fall after a season at Otero, and she's a big fan of the atmosphere that Haley and Head Coach Marci Henry create with the program.

"It's very professional here and it's a more established program," Andresen said. "I feel like the coaches here are really looking out for my best interests."

One of those interests she refers to is making the jump to a quality four-year program. Andresen fielded offers from schools like Kent State and Florida International out of high school. She said she chose the junior college route because her grades weren't where they needed to be.

Now, Andresen hits the big stage of the Region IX tournament where there will be plenty of quality four-year programs watching the No. 2 seeded Plainswomen. And if Andresen continues to risk everything for the team by skidding face-first across the hard wood to keep the ball alive, she won't be overlooked...not even at 5-foot-1.