Harris aids Hornets with versatility
Published 9:39 pm Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Former Nansemond-Suffolk Academy volleyball star Caylin Harris has gotten some playing time as a freshman at Shenandoah University, giving the Hornets an opportunity to see what they have in her.
Shenandoah University freshman Caylin Harris, No. 18, has been applying lessons learned on the court at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy and helping the Hornets have a remarkably successful 2015 season. (Shenandoah University Athletics)
That’s been a pleasant discovery.
“I think she’s done a wonderful job,” said Shenandoah coach Jaime Terenzi. “She’s been in and out of the lineup, so it hasn’t been a permanent positon yet, but I foresee her being a huge, huge powerhouse for us.”
Lady Saints coach Robyn Ross has been keeping track of Harris this season.
“I think she’s doing amazing,” Ross said. “She has had to play left, middle and right for her team at different occasions, so she has sort of turned into the utility player.”
Ross noted that most schools do not have somebody who could play all three spots on the front row, especially a freshman, but Harris’ versatility is what is helping the Hornets.
“It’s really nice to have someone that we can utilize anywhere,” Terenzi said.
The Hornets recently wrapped up their most successful performance in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference in four seasons of league play, going 7-4 during the regular season. They finished with an overall regular season record of 18-9.
“I’ve played in, I think, maybe 60 percent of the games,” Harris said. “We had some injuries earlier in the season, which kind of allowed me to step in and play a bigger role.”
Entering Wednesday night’s ODAC quarterfinals against host Roanoke College, Harris was one of seven players for Shenandoah with more than 100 kills, having registered 115.
“I definitely feel like I was given some good opportunity to make a difference and even if I’m not on the court that I’m still making an impact from cheering and being excited,” Harris said. “I’m very, very proud of the team for doing as well as we have this season.”
Terenzi said Harris is a very intense player, “but on a positive level, and that’s what we were really looking for.”
The coach expects Harris to continue to be a utility player, but because she is strong all around, she foresees Harris settling into an outside hitter role eventually.
“Generally, I like my outside hitters to be six-position players,” Terenzi said.
Harris is prepared to embrace that position.
“Wherever she’ll put me, I’m going to try my best to play there,” Harris said. “I’m definitely not going to complain about a spot on the court.”
