Niekamp must fill big shoes with young team
By Michael Skinner / Student Publications
Sophomore setter Allie Niekamp looks to step in as Tech's table setter and guide a young Jacket squad to great heights starting this year.
Last year, Allie Niekamp only saw action in seven games as she was backing up then senior All-American setter Lindsay Laband.
"I have some really big shoes to fill. Lindsay Laband and Kele Eveland were amazing. They did so much for the team and for the program. I just hope that I can live up to what they did, and help out any way that I can. I learned so much from Lindsay," said the sophomore setter, from Findlay, Ohio.
"From day one, she pulled me aside and let me know that we were going to be friends. While we competed against each other, there would be no reason to hate each other,"
This year, she has used that knowledge to get off to a good start. She was the first Tech player to record a triple-double since December 12th, 2003 when Kele Eveland recorded one in the NCAA Tournament against California.
Up to that point, there had only been three triple-doubles in Tech's volleyball history.
She was named ACC Player of the Week for her performance the week of Sept. 4 and she was also named MVP of the Regency Suites Invitational that was hosted by Tech.
"It's nice to win awards like that, but the bigger picture is focusing on what our team is doing. It was so great that our team won the Regency Suites Invitational. I never would have been the MVP had it not been for the team winning the tournament. We are so fortunate to have so many gifted athletes here. I can just throw the ball in the air and I know that my hitters will get the kill," Niekamp said.
The team has started slow in the conference after an 8-2 start (8-6 Overall, 0-4 ACC). The losses in conference include a 3-2 home loss to Florida State and a loss on the road against ACC leader Duke.
While the losses have hurt Tech's chances of making the NCAA Tournament, it does not mean that the season can't be turned around.
"We really have not had the start that we hoped to have, but it is hard to stay down when you are on this team because everyone is so positive and motivated. It's frustrating that we haven't been winning yet, but I know that we will start winning," Niekamp said.
Outside of helping the team turn the season around, Niekamp has other personal goals.
"My goal for the team is to outwork every team that we face. You can beat a team by a large margin, but if you do not feel like you outworked them then you do not come off of the floor feeling good. You can lose to a good team, but if you give everything you have then you can feel good because you gave everything you had," Niekamp said.
Even if the Jackets are unable to turn their season around, the experience of playing volleyball and being around her teammates won't change.
"I know that there are a lot of people who have gone to college to play volleyball and hated it. I just feel blessed that it is not like that here. We have coaches that make it fun, and players that motivate you and push you. I know that this team does not have the best record in the country, but I can guarantee you that we have a better time than some of those teams, and we are closer."
Niekamp and the Jackets look to put their early ACC struggles behind them as they face Maryland tonight at 7 p.m. and Boston College on Sunday at 1 p.m.
