Sports
Burkle Breaks Into Webb’s Rotation
< < Back toIn the first nine volleyball matches of her senior season, Hannah Burkle has already recorded more kills and blocks than her previous seasons as a Bobcat combined.
A transfer from Eastern Kentucky University her sophomore year, the 6-foot-2-inch middle and strong-side hitter only saw the court during nine sets in 2012 and 2013 and only recorded a total of three kills and two blocks. Determined not to be discouraged, Burkle worked hard every season in practice preparing for her last go-around in green and white.
“I always want to help the team out no matter what and I really just wanted to push myself my senior year especially, because I’m done after this,” she said.
Burkle’s hard work paid off as she stepped up this season to fill a key position for the Bobcats: right-side hitter
“She’s doing a good job, she’s learning and improving,” coach Deane Webb said. “She’s adjusting to a new position, that she’s not done before and so it takes a while to get used to that.”
Making the transition from a middle hitter to the right side requires Burkle to adjust her footwork, approach angles and, most of all, timing. A middle hitter becomes accustomed to quick, short sets while sets to the right side have more height and longer air time. Burkle has adjusted to the change well, happy to be utilizing more of her favorite hitting style.
“I actually love it because my favorite thing to is to hit off of one foot, which is the majority of what I do on the right side,” she said.
From the right side, the senior has put up solid numbers and already reached personal milestones. So far this season, Burkle has played, and started, seven matches, recorded 15 blocks and posted 47 kills. She reached double-digit kills for the first time in her career this season with 10 in a match against Syracuse on Sept. 13.
“Obviously it’s a big thing for me,” Burkle said. “I love being on the court and I love being on the court with everyone.”
Webb said he was happy with the energy he has seen Burkle display on the court.
“When you’ve been on the sideline for a couple years and now you get the opportunity to be on the court it’s a lot more fun,” he said. “So when she’s out there I think it is a genuine excitement and genuine happiness with just being out there and being able to contribute.”
As one of two seniors, Burkle said she has tried to use her experiences to help encourage all her teammates to keep a positive attitude.
“I like to keep a positive attitude. It’s something I’ve always had since playing volleyball,” she said. “I don’t like to get down on myself. I always beat myself up after a game if I play bad, but I always try to keep everyone up and positive.”
Now that his breakout senior has some matches against power conference teams under her belt, Coach Webb is looking forward to watching Burkle continuing to play a big role for the team, with conference play quickly approaching Burkle and the Bobcats, who will look to repeat as MAC regular season and tournament champions in 2014.
“I’m happy for her as a senior to be able to be apart of some significant wins early in the season and looking for her to keep improving as the year goes on,” he said.