Setting the Pace
November 19, 2002 | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 19, 2002
The intensity in the air and on the court is high, especially with one player in particular. The ball is crushed towards the girl at an impressive 70 miles per hour as the sound of the explosion echoes in the arena. She dives towards the ball, sacrificing her body for the betterment of the team. Coaches are yelling in the background for her to get back in it while other players are screaming at each other to end the point. Amidst injuries the girl swallows the pain that is lumped in her throat in order to contain her weaknesses from the view of others, including herself. She reaches down with what she's got and picks herself up, sweat dripping off her brow onto the hardwood. She sets herself, and identifies where the ball is. As the ball is delivered in her direction, she reaches back with all that she has and drills the ball through the block and into the deep corner of the court where the ball relaxes. Onlookers stare in amazement as her team congratulates the girl on a well-placed ball. She smiles as practice has ended for the day.
For senior outside hitter Ann Romjue, this was just another after-school practice. It was another day of taking bumps, working hard for the team, and raising the intensity to cap off another successful team workout. But to someone else it may have meant something else.
Freshman Jessica Watson has to follow that. When game time rolls around, she has to come in and allow herself to finish where Ann left off. She learns so much from her, not just through words but through actions.
"Ann is all about playing tough volleyball, whether its in practice, in a game, or anywhere...she's not going to let you have a bad day of practice," explains Watson, "she always gives 110% in practice, even with all her injuries."
Watson, a freshman out of Jewett, Texas, has had her fair share of experience. At least that's what it will say if you read her bio. AA State Champions her junior year, another state finals her senior year and post season contention in her freshman and sophomore years can lead one to believe that she has already taken it to the next level mentally. Well coming into the year, she was a little overwhelmed.
"I was so scared," recalls Watson. "Not only was Tech competitive, but the whole conference was competitive. That first conference game (against Iowa State) really hit me. I was so nervous."
Watching Watson on the court now, you could never imagine that nervousness in her mentality. Romjue might have a large part to do with that. Before the substitution is complete, the players are given a brief moment to discuss what needs to get done on the court. When Romjue and Watson meet in that moment, Romjue lets Watson know that she needs to get the job done. "You're not coming out until you get a block!" "You're doing a good job!" "Get in front of the hitter!" That's just some of the chatter that goes on in the huddle.
For Romjue, coming in to her freshman year as a Fab-50 recruit, she found her role in the Texas Tech system very quickly breaking the freshman class record for kills with 347 and assists with 44. As a freshman, injuries from teammates allowed her to step into a leading role for the team. When discussing her role on the team this season, the Papillion, Neb., native commented, "It's a job, except it's not a job. I just love the team and the girls on the team. Coach Nelson has always been a great supporter of me. I've always known my role on the team."
As Romjue's final season winds down, she passes on much more than words can explain to her teammates. She has had some great moments donning a Tech jersey, but with her recent marriage to former Tech football player Paul Erickson, she is ready to take her next step in life. "When I graduate (in August), I want to attend massage therapy school and perhaps coach volleyball at the club or high school level," said Romjue. "In the next few years, we'll keep getting better and better. The freshman are getting better everyday and there's no telling what's going to happen."
As a new career at Tech begins for Watson, she is finding out where she fits into the mold. She is already seeing time at the middle blocker position and will continue too, as her years go by. "I could never fill anyone's shoes, but I just want to make an impact. I want to be the one to hype everyone up and encourage."
There is no telling what is in store for the two girls at the end of the year. Romjue will go on, taking with her a magnificent four years at an excellent program, and Watson will get to experience the program one day from Ann's point of view, whispering one day to the freshman in the huddle, giving her guidance as the new player finds herself in the system like she once did. And then Watson, too, can take the next step in life, at whatever pace that may be.