Freshman defensive specialists Sydnie Hernandez and Avery Anders are already MAC regular season champs, with both players starting in most of the Falcons’ games this season.
The back-row duo has combined for 292 digs and 43 service aces this season. They both have worked very hard to improve their game, and that effort shows on the court.
However, it’s important to remember that Hernandez and Anders are still first years in college, and despite their confidence while playing, they had many of the same thoughts and feelings as any freshman when they arrived on campus.
Luckily, their new teammates were there to help out with the transition. “For me, at the beginning, it was a little bit overwhelming… But I think the girls, the older girls, did a great job like welcoming us and like showing us the way, and like introducing us to it all,” said Anders.
Thanks to the warm welcome from their teammates, the young tandem felt much more comfortable on campus and with taking on starting roles in the rotation.
Associate coach Alison Cooke had plenty of good things to say about the new editions to the Falcons’ lineup.
“Sydnie is so steady… She has got a ton of composure on the court, which we really appreciate and admire, honestly. Then Avery is so competitive, and she’s got that fire. Like, you can see how much she wants it.”
The freshman duo “[Hernandez and Anders] complement each other really well with their on-court demeanor. It was pieces that we felt like the team needed, said Cooke.”
Needed pieces, indeed. After the conclusion of last season, the Orange and Brown lost a lot of backcourt talent like Alex Leboy, leaving some important shoes for the new freshman to fill.
But Anders and Hernandez weren’t stressed about filling these shoes. “I just thought about it as excitement and like a new opportunity, ” stated Hernandez, “I thought it was cool.”
Over the course of the season, the Falcons have played in a lot of big games, like the one against OSU or Western Michigan. And although the two freshman d-specialists are “Silly off the court and goofy,” as Coach Cooke puts it, they still understand the weight of the big moments when they’re on the court.
“We talk [a lot] about… Like, this is bigger than just volleyball and so, like, really taking in those moments,” said Anders, “It’s just like we realized that it’s more than just a game, and like, we really lean into each other.”
The girls also talked about being a part of the BG community. Hernandez said, “I’ve definitely never been a part of a community where there’s so much love and support for our program, and [it’s] so cool to see […] how much everyone supports us and wants us to succeed.”
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