The Griffon News

The volleyball team has started their 2006 season with help from a first -year freshman hailing from Iowa.

Shari Tompkins is a 5-foot-9 inch, graduate from West Liberty High School in West Liberty, Iowa. During her high school volleyball career, Tompkins played outside hitter/ds for the left sides. When she came to Western she was moved to the libero position which plays middle back.

“I am working hard and trying to relearn everything I know just placing it at a new and exciting position,” Tompkins said.

Since the season began at the end of August, Tompkins is already making her mark at Western averaging almost five digs a game, totaling 226. Tompkins also recorded 33 digs in a match against Montevallo, in a four game win for the Griffons. Tompkins defended more than eight attacks per game in that match.

Western volleyball Head Coach Kyp Harasymowycz said that an average defender usually digs three to four per 30-point game. Tompkins’ achievement will be sent to the American Volleyball Association Awards committee for post-season honors.

“Her efforts will definitely be rewarded when the time comes,” Harasymowycz said. “I just hope that she can keep up that pace. She’s the only non-senior in the conference (MIAA) in the top five, averaging over five digs per game.”

Tompkins said she understands that this is a big feat but knows there is still plenty of room for improvement.

“I will always work to try and improve,” Tompkins said. “I am honored to have met an accomplishment such as this one, but I just put that in the past and focus on what I need to do for the next match. I never look back unless it is something that I know I need to change and ask coach for help.”

Even coaches can’t seem to believe Tompkins is this highly developed for a freshman.

“It’s hard to tell from just watching her that she’s only a freshman,” Harasymowycz said. “Her anticipation and knowledge of the game is more advanced than what we’ve had in the past defensively. Many coaches have already approached me about her performance looking more mature than how a true freshman might act in a similar capacity.”

Tompkins not only has to deal with the everyday struggles of being a student athlete, she also has to keep a close eye on her health. Seven years ago she was diagnosed with Type I diabetes, meaning it will be present her whole life.

Tompkins says that volleyball can take a lot of endurance but she keeps on top of her condition the best that she can.

“I always try to make sure that I am healthy for the matches,” Tompkins said. “Having diabetes has affected me in multiple ways but I try not to let it bother me. I always tell myself that there are worse things out there than having diabetes so I simply just look past it.”

Harasymowycz agrees with Tompkins about her health awareness.

“She’s very conscious about her health and has already talked with the girls on the team just in case something were to happen,” Harasymowycz said.

The team keeps extra Gatorade and fruit on the bench for her for precautionary reasons in case she feels like her glucose is dropping.

“Sometimes I get so into the game that I forget or brush off the fact that I need something but most of the time I stay on top of it,” Tompkins said.

Tompkins said she knows what her priorities are and that she needs to take care of herself to be able to succeed in school and in volleyball.

“I love the Missouri Western and the volleyball program,” Tompkins said. “I enjoy going to classes and working out with the team afterwards.”