By Ryan Rogers
LSUsports.net
(9/27/00)
The LSU volleyball team like all other teams depends on leaders and playmakers in order to succeed. One player who fits that description is sophomore defensive specialist, Jenny Greco.
Greco has been a big contributor to the volleyball team this year. As a former walk-on, Greco has elevated her game in 2000, and become a key ingredient in the Lady Tigers formula for success.
“Jenny has made a huge improvement this year. In my opinion she’s our most improved player,” said head coach Fran Flory. “She spent this summer becoming a better athlete and a stronger player. She became a student of the game learning the system well. Her attitude and her feistiness to compete help’s her learn the game well and play the game very well. She’s somebody that this team has become very reliant on to play well.”
Greco’s 102 digs rank second on the team. Greco ranks tenth in digs in the SEC conference. Anyone who has played the game of volleyball knows how tough being consistent at digging can be. With opponents spiking frozen ropes at you it takes more than athletic ability to keep the ball in play. Most of all it takes guts. Her hustle and hard work ethic are keys to her ability to dig balls.
“She digs balls so well. She does it with a very high level of consistency and accuracy. She’s also become a more efficient server, which was something we asked her to work on this past off-season,” said Flory.
“Getting digs is all about attitude. You have to want it,” said Greco.
One issue that an observer might wonder about is her size. All spectators when thinking about volleyball players visualize very tall players who can play above the net. Well, Greco isn’t exactly the Shaquille O’neal of volleyball. Standing at 5-foot-1 she may be considered undersized for her sport. However, that’s where people are wrong. When talking with Greco and her coach, size simply isn’t an issue.
“I don’t really feel small on the court at all. I don’t even think about that. If anything I see my size as an advantage for me. But I will admit I appreciate the height of the tall girls in front of me. They can go up and make blocks that often protect me,” as she giggles.
Greco’s size is an advantage to her. Unlike other sports where talented high school athletes are often overlooked due to being undersized, ironically Greco’s size was a big factor in Flory’s idea to bring her onto the team.
“I never questioned her ability to play for us due to her small stature. She’s exactly what we need. She’s the carbon copy LSU defensive specialist. Dana Castillo was a great player here and she was 5-foot-4. We’ve have always have been known for having a feisty player on our team like Jenny. You need someone like that in order to be successful,” said Flory.
“I was fortunate that no one ever really doubted my ability to play at this level. Coach Flory has been great. She’s very knowledgeable and she’s very helpful. She’s willing to help you a great deal,” said Greco.
The Tigers are off to a bumpy start with a 5-6 record. However, coming off a 3-0 victory over Stephen F. Austin and only one game into their Southeastern Conference schedule, there is a lot of volleyball yet to be played. Greco has high aspirations for her team this year.
“We had a really great preseason, I hope we can pull together and accomplish our goal, which is to win the (SEC) West.”