University of North Texas Athletics
Sunday, September 30
Denton, TX
1:00 PM
University of North Texas
vs
FIU
Williams' Condition No Match For Top Blocker
9/28/2018 2:17:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
DENTON – Over the summer, multiple members of the North Texas volleyball team were diagnosed with mono, prompting the entire team to get tested. While Jordyn Williams didn't have mono, the middle blocker didn't leave the doctor with good news.
Williams was diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia, a common condition among female athletes but nonetheless a tough hurdle for one of the Mean Green's (5-13, 1-1 C-USA) top players.
"I'm generally a more tired athlete, so I thought I was just really out of shape," Williams said. "I started running extra, trying to get in better shape, but nothing made me feel prepared."
The main symptom of iron deficiency is fatigue, which, for obvious reasons, poses many problems for a middle blocker in volleyball.
"Even at the beginning of practice, it feels like I've been running for two hours," Williams said. "I have to take more breaks and slow things down a bit. I can feel it the most during long rallies where the ball crosses the net eight or nine times. That's when I just say, 'I've got to put this ball down.'"
While she worried about how the condition would affect her play, Williams is the team leader with 53 blocks, including a league-best 14 in Conference USA play. She also paces the squad in attack percentage (.331) and is on pace to finish with the program's third-best career hit percentage (.328).
"All the training, getting up and going hard on every point and everything I've worked for over the past three years is paying off," Williams said.
Fortunately for Williams, a front-row player, she only plays three rotations on the court before being subbed out, giving her an opportunity to take a break and rehydrate.
"It just makes everything a little more difficult, but it's my senior year and I have to make the best of it," Williams said. "I have to be more conscious about what I'm eating and making sure I take the pills right before the game. I have to be more hydrated and make sure I'm taking care of my body."
With a month of the season in the books, Williams has learned to deal with her condition. She has hit her stride over the last six matches, averaging 2.72 kills per set at a .375 clip and 0.97 blocks per set. Even in a lengthy five-set win over Louisiana Tech, she posted career highs in kills (16) and blocks (10).
Williams leads North Texas into its home C-USA opener against Florida International (9-5, 2-0 C-USA) at 1 p.m. Sunday. The Mean Green have won four-straight over the Panthers, but trail the all-time series 8-12. Last season, Williams recorded a team-high four blocks in a straight-set victory in Miami.
The match will be streamed on C-USA TV and live stats are available on StatBroadcast.
Williams was diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia, a common condition among female athletes but nonetheless a tough hurdle for one of the Mean Green's (5-13, 1-1 C-USA) top players.
"I'm generally a more tired athlete, so I thought I was just really out of shape," Williams said. "I started running extra, trying to get in better shape, but nothing made me feel prepared."
The main symptom of iron deficiency is fatigue, which, for obvious reasons, poses many problems for a middle blocker in volleyball.
"Even at the beginning of practice, it feels like I've been running for two hours," Williams said. "I have to take more breaks and slow things down a bit. I can feel it the most during long rallies where the ball crosses the net eight or nine times. That's when I just say, 'I've got to put this ball down.'"
While she worried about how the condition would affect her play, Williams is the team leader with 53 blocks, including a league-best 14 in Conference USA play. She also paces the squad in attack percentage (.331) and is on pace to finish with the program's third-best career hit percentage (.328).
"All the training, getting up and going hard on every point and everything I've worked for over the past three years is paying off," Williams said.
Fortunately for Williams, a front-row player, she only plays three rotations on the court before being subbed out, giving her an opportunity to take a break and rehydrate.
"It just makes everything a little more difficult, but it's my senior year and I have to make the best of it," Williams said. "I have to be more conscious about what I'm eating and making sure I take the pills right before the game. I have to be more hydrated and make sure I'm taking care of my body."
With a month of the season in the books, Williams has learned to deal with her condition. She has hit her stride over the last six matches, averaging 2.72 kills per set at a .375 clip and 0.97 blocks per set. Even in a lengthy five-set win over Louisiana Tech, she posted career highs in kills (16) and blocks (10).
Williams leads North Texas into its home C-USA opener against Florida International (9-5, 2-0 C-USA) at 1 p.m. Sunday. The Mean Green have won four-straight over the Panthers, but trail the all-time series 8-12. Last season, Williams recorded a team-high four blocks in a straight-set victory in Miami.
The match will be streamed on C-USA TV and live stats are available on StatBroadcast.
Players Mentioned
MB
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