University of North Texas Athletics
What's In A Number?
8/20/2018 8:58:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
DENTON – Replacing the program's first two-time AVCA All-Region selection and only individual to rack up 1,000 kills and 370 blocks is not going to be an easy task for North Texas volleyball.
But freshman Sarah Haeussler is up for the challenge, and all while donning the same number as former star middle blocker Amanda Chamberlain.
Between following the team as a recruit and meeting Chamberlain at a practice during the team's final week of fall camp, Haeussler has identified Chamberlain as a role model for her game.
"She's an incredible person to look up to," Haeussler said. "I think it's good to have someone that I want to strive to be, but I also am my own self and can incorporate how I play."
Haeussler noted how smart and talkative Chamberlain was on the court, a characteristic that Haeussler recognized she could work on. But it was an off-the-court talent of Chamberlain's that Haeussler really admired.
"She loves to dance, so that's another thing I think I can learn from," Haeussler said.
As for on-the-court skills, Haeussler wishes she could have Chamberlain's quick arm swing, something head coach Andrew Palileo points out will separate the great teams from the good teams.
"That's very useful as a middle and I need to work on that," Haeussler said. "I would love to swing as fast as she did."
However, from Chamberlain's perspective, Haeussler's volleyball IQ and vocal abilities were traits she really liked after watching the Aledo, Texas, native play for the first time.
"She has most of the elements of the game, like being talkative and available, which is very important as a middle," Chamberlain said. "Coming from high school, she's a very smart hitter. She has a lot of good placement balls. She just needs to work on getting there a little bit faster."
But it's a long road before Haeussler starts climbing the school's all-time kills and blocks lists or garnering an all-region nod.
"She's a freshman, so she still has a lot to learn," Chamberlain said.
The middle blocker position has been a point of emphasis for the Mean Green in fall camp as they have to replace 836 points from last season between Chamberlain, Holly Milam and Mikali Myers, but Chamberlain thinks they have what it takes to make up for some of the gap.
"They still have some things they need to work on before they can really come full-force," Chamberlain. "As for filling in our shoes, I think they're doing a pretty good job so far."
Chamberlain admits it will be a little weird when she returns and sees someone else in her jersey, but says it's flattering.
"I like when people wear my number," Chamberlain said. "It's going to be a big role to fill. I think she can do it. She's more than capable.
"I trust her with that jersey."
But freshman Sarah Haeussler is up for the challenge, and all while donning the same number as former star middle blocker Amanda Chamberlain.
Between following the team as a recruit and meeting Chamberlain at a practice during the team's final week of fall camp, Haeussler has identified Chamberlain as a role model for her game.
"She's an incredible person to look up to," Haeussler said. "I think it's good to have someone that I want to strive to be, but I also am my own self and can incorporate how I play."
Haeussler noted how smart and talkative Chamberlain was on the court, a characteristic that Haeussler recognized she could work on. But it was an off-the-court talent of Chamberlain's that Haeussler really admired.
"She loves to dance, so that's another thing I think I can learn from," Haeussler said.
As for on-the-court skills, Haeussler wishes she could have Chamberlain's quick arm swing, something head coach Andrew Palileo points out will separate the great teams from the good teams.
"That's very useful as a middle and I need to work on that," Haeussler said. "I would love to swing as fast as she did."
However, from Chamberlain's perspective, Haeussler's volleyball IQ and vocal abilities were traits she really liked after watching the Aledo, Texas, native play for the first time.
"She has most of the elements of the game, like being talkative and available, which is very important as a middle," Chamberlain said. "Coming from high school, she's a very smart hitter. She has a lot of good placement balls. She just needs to work on getting there a little bit faster."
But it's a long road before Haeussler starts climbing the school's all-time kills and blocks lists or garnering an all-region nod.
"She's a freshman, so she still has a lot to learn," Chamberlain said.
The middle blocker position has been a point of emphasis for the Mean Green in fall camp as they have to replace 836 points from last season between Chamberlain, Holly Milam and Mikali Myers, but Chamberlain thinks they have what it takes to make up for some of the gap.
"They still have some things they need to work on before they can really come full-force," Chamberlain. "As for filling in our shoes, I think they're doing a pretty good job so far."
Chamberlain admits it will be a little weird when she returns and sees someone else in her jersey, but says it's flattering.
"I like when people wear my number," Chamberlain said. "It's going to be a big role to fill. I think she can do it. She's more than capable.
"I trust her with that jersey."
Players Mentioned
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's VolleyballSaturday, November 15
Tuesday, November 11
Saturday, October 18
Thursday, October 09