Hance helps solidify Spikers

By H. Jose Bosch  On  September 13th, 2006

Players are usually threatened with punishments for missing practice or lacking hustle.

Sophomore Kerry Hance of the Michigan volleyball team was chastised for losing her shoe.

"It happened twice in one conditioning session (last spring)," Hance said. "The first time, I just put it back on and kept sprinting. The second time it happened, my coach screamed at me, 'Kerry, either tie your shoes tight or we are all going to run.' "

But while Hance is known for her susceptibility for falling out of her shoes, more importantly, she's recognized as a hard worker and a good teammate. Former high school teammate and current Wolverine Stesha Selsky said Hance is a fun and exciting person to be around. Coach Mark Rosen also speaks glowingly about Hance as a person.

"She's a great kid and a very good teammate," Rosen said. "She makes people enjoy being around her."

In high school, Hance was voted most inspirational player of the year twice (2002 and 2004) - once for softball and once for volleyball. But don't expect to hear her rah-rahing her teammates during a game. The Los Angeles native inspires her teammates with her play on the court. It's what Rosen calls "inspiration by example." And as Hance's teammate, Selsky knows what Rosen means.

"To her teammates she's very positive, and if we're down in a game, she (stays) extremely positive and will always think we can still win the game," Selsky said. "Through her actions and her hard work she inspires other people to do the same."

Hance took over as the starting libero this season, a spot formerly held by Selsky, and has been an everyday starter during Michigan's 10-game winning streak to start the season. But it wasn't a given at the beginning of the year that Hance would start at this position.

In the offseason, Rosen grappled with the enticing idea of moving Selsky from libero to setter. The coach was impressed with Selsky's ability as a setter during the team's spring games. But the move couldn't be made unless Rosen was confident in Hance's ability to start.

Hance was a great passer and an average defender - the complete opposite of Selsky's game. The sophomore spent the entire spring and summer working on her defensive game in order to gain Rosen's trust.

Hance is still developing her defense, Rosen said, but by the time the season began he had enough faith in Hance to start her at libero and Selsky at setter. For the team, the switch was seamless.

"We were very comfortable with Kerry being the libero because she is by far our best serve-receive passer, and that's a big thing in the Big Ten," Selsky said. "And she's very good on defense. Most people thought, 'Wow, this is awesome, our team is going to get better.' "

Things couldn't be working out any better for Hance and the Wolverines. She has slowly increased her digs-per-game average since the beginning of the year, and Rosen said that eventually he wants Hance to average more than five digs per game (currently she's at 4.53). And the Big Ten recognized her hard work by naming her the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week.

"It's so awesome just to know my work has paid off," Hance said. "I still have a lot to do to improve and get better, but it's just nice to know that I'm going in the right direction."

Hance said she found out about the honor when her father was perusing www.mgoblue.com and called her to give her the good news. The award came just two weeks after Selsky received Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week accolades.

Michigan has one more weekend of nonconference opponents before the Big Ten season starts. Hance's ability to pass well off a serve will be critical against teams who hit harder and serve stronger. But her solid play and the Wolverines' 10-game winning streak have given her all the confidence she needs to square off against some of the best teams in the nation.

"I can't wait (for the Big Ten season)," Hance said. "I think I'm ready for it."

As for Rosen, he's expecting a lot from the sophomore.

"She's done well at this point, but we know (that) in the Big Ten, teams are going to attack us more, and she needs to rise to that challenge, which I think she can," Rosen said. "I think she's going to be an outstanding libero."

Hance managed to keep her shoes on the rest of the day during that spring conditioning session.

But if you're sitting in Cliff Keen Arena this weekend, watch out. She may knock your socks off.

Printed from www.michigandaily.com on Sat, 26 May 2012 19:05:25 -0400