Call her a Hornet
Iowa standout Allison Volkens commits to Emporia
By Jesse Newell
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
It’s her game — and not her name — that Allison Volkens is most concerned with.
“Alli, Allison... call me anything really,” Volkens said.
Next year, everyone will be able to call her a Lady Hornet.
Volkens, a high school senior at Gladbrook-Reinbeck High School in Reinbeck, Iowa, has verbally committed to play for Emporia State women’s basketball coach Brandon Schneider next season.
“I like the coaches, and I like the school,” Volkens said. “I just felt like if I went there, I’d fit in a lot and have fun.”
Schneider cannot comment on recruits until they officially sign with the school.
The 6-foot-2 Volkens has already made a name for herself at the 2A level in Iowa.
She was named an Iowa Newspaper Association first-team All-State pick last season after averaging 19.8 points and 11 rebounds for Gladbrook-Reinbeck.
“She’s probably the best center I’ve ever had, and I’ve been about 18 years now,” Gladbrook-Reinbeck coach Bruce Bailey said. “I think she’ll be an asset at Emporia State.”
Other schools in the running for Volkens were Nebraska-Omaha, North Dakota State and Washburn, though Iowa’s Division I programs also showed some late interest.
Bailey said Volkens’ versatility in the post made her a rare talent.
“She’s really athletic, so she can run the floor and do a lot of things that some 6-foot-2 kids cannot do,” Bailey said.
The coach also credited Volkens with being a tough player and also a good shooter, especially in the 15- to 18-foot range.
Even with those skills, Bailey believes Volkens has the potential to be even better in college.
“She does everything really well right now, but I don’t think she’s peaked,” Bailey said. “I think she’s such a good athlete that she’ll continue to improve in all aspects of her game.”
One area that has improved during high school has been her shot-blocking ability. She averaged 3.2 blocks per game last season, improving her numbers each year in high school.
“My freshman year, I tried to block every shot that I could,” Volkens said, “but that resulted in me fouling out quite a bit.”
Over time, the senior has developed a new approach, hacking fewer times to avoid fouls.
“She’s learned to time it and go straight up and get her hand on top of the basketball,” Bailey said. “She’s been a force inside for us defensively and has allowed us to do things outside because she can take care of the lane.”
Growing up in Reinbeck — a town of about 1200 located 85 miles northeast of Des Moines — Volkens was unfamiliar with Emporia State before being recruited.
“I didn’t know very much,” Volkens said. “There’s only one D-2 school in Iowa, and it’s not a very good one. I didn’t know much at all, really.”
Volkens chose ESU without ever seeing a home basketball game in person. In fact, her only visit to campus was in August.
Still, she decided on the school based on her relationship with the coaches.
Volkens will also arrive on campus with the reputation of being a good student. She currently sits in the top 10 percent of her class at Gladbrook-Reinbeck.
The center said she was looking forward to showing her game at ESU.
“They’re a pretty good team, so winning a lot would be fun,” Volkens said. “I just want to have fun. I want to play and help them win.”