On Tuesday, my buddy Joey Berlin wrote about how cool it would be to have a team in Emporia that captured the imaginations of the town.
Joey hypothesized that it would have to be a team from one of the three major sports: football, basketball or baseball. The average sport fan only has so much time and passion to devote to his or her teams, and it’s rare for most people to venture outside of the big three. Sure, some people are obsessed with NASCAR, and some like boxing or UFC, but most just stick to the big three.
In fact, I’m one of those people. Teams in the big three are the only ones I’ve ever really been passionate about with my fandom. If you want to call me a sports snob... well, guilty.
But last year in Emporia there was a team outside of the big three that was sort of the talk of the town. This was in a sport that I’ve always enjoyed playing but never thought I would really come to enjoy covering.
But there was something about Bing Xu’s Emporia State volleyball team that drew me and many others in town in.
First, there was the team’s record. The Hornets went 34-4. They won the league for the first time, hosted Regionals for the first time and if not for an unexpected poor showing in the regional final, they would have — and with their talent, should have — made the Elite 8.
One of the many records they set was attendance, not only for Emporia State, but in all of Division II. The game against Washburn drew 2,432 to White Auditorium, the most fans to watch a D-II volleyball game all of the last year.
The main reason was that everybody loves a winner, but even as Joey pointed out, success doesn’t always draw the big crowds; you also need a quality product.
This is what I was so surprised about. I never thought the product of a D-2 volleyball team would be so watchable. The Hornets and several other teams in the MIAA play an exciting brand of volleyball. It’s fast. The athletes, in my opinion, are better than any other women’s sport except maybe basketball; however, I think I would rank them tied at the top.
But sometimes just the product isn’t enough. You need faces people can identify with. You need likable characters. You need theater. And the Hornet volleyball team passed every test.
Ting Liu could be one of the most recognizable people in town. There aren’t many 6-foot-1 Chinese girls walking around Emporia. She’s also probably the best player to ever play at Emporia State. She already owns multiple assist records at the school, and she’s only played two seasons. She was an All-American as a sophomore, and I’ll bet she’s named the National Player of the Year in one of her final two seasons — if not both.
Then there’s Arica Shepard, who has the game to go along with the personality. Shepard has an attitude on the court and doesn’t hide her emotions or her feelings.
“I’m pretty vocal, as you can probably tell,” Shepard says.
If you made a movie about the team, Shepard would be the lead. She sets the team’s mood and has the most star power. Her powerful spikes also help her appeal.
The same can be said for Brittney Miller, who hits the ball so hard I’ve considered bringing a radar gun to time her spikes.
There’s Amy Byfield, a short girl succeeding in a tall girl’s world. Everyone loves rooting for players who look as if they might not belong but plays as if they do.
Then there’s Coach Xu. He might be the most likable guy in town. He’s the coach parents want their kids to play for, the coach who never yells. He’s the type of guy who would never say a bad thing about anyone.
So the star power is there. The likable characters are there. The attitude is there. The lovable coach is there.
There’s just a lot to like about the Emporia State volleyball team. So if there’s a team to get behind this fall, this is it. I predict the Hornets will be even better than they were a year ago, and last year they might have been good enough to win a National Championship.
If you haven’t been out to a game already, go see for yourself this year. I bet you’ll be chatting about Liu’s amazing vision with your barber, and how the Hornets should attack Washburn will be become water-cooler conversation.
emporialifer (anonymous) says...
C.J.-
I couldn't agree with you more. The ESU volleyball team is one talented, devoted and inspiring group of players and coaches. I couldn't help thinking to myself last year as I watched the ESU vs. Washburn match that if there was a parent present with a young hopeful recruit, that the parent would have no problem picking which coach they would want their daughter playing for. A yelling and screaming coach vs a calm and rational coach is a no brainer. And the results on the court (ESU won) showed which method was most effective.
Can't wait for the 2009 season to start! I completely agree that this team has the talent to bring home a National Championship for ESU! Go Lady Hornets!!!!
August 13, 2009 at 10:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )