Nov. 13, 2014
By Samantha DelRosso, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Freshman athletes face many challenges in their first year at college. From schoolwork, to practice and games, to keeping up with the level of play of veteran players, adjusting to college can be very difficult. But Penn State women's volleyball freshman Ali Frantti makes it look easy.
One year ago, Frantti was wrapping up her final high school volleyball season. Now, there are still five conference matches left before postseason even begins. The length of the college season is very different than high school. But Frantti is adjusting just fine.
"She's [adjusting to the length of the season] well and she's playing fantastic. To expect a lot out of a freshman is tough and she's producing," associate head coach Salima Rockwell said. "We're excited about what she's doing because she's awesome."
Another challenge for freshman athletes is being able to maintain consistency throughout the season. Rockwell said Frantti has remained consistent and her numbers are proving that.
"She's doing a pretty good job of keeping focus and trying to still have fun, while learning. There are some frustrating parts of the game, so we try to help her through those, but she's doing a great job," Rockwell said.
At the beginning of the season, Frantti was new to the Big Ten. Teams were unable to scout her, which gave her the opportunity to capitalize on their lack of knowledge. But at this point in the season, teams are starting to scout her more and more. Frantti said because of this, she has been trying to switch up her shots.
In only a few months, Frantti has become a very important aspect of the Penn State women's volleyball team. Head coach Russ Rose said the team can't win without Frantti and fellow freshman Haleigh Washington playing well. Rose said the team is dependent on Frantti performing at a high level.
"Ali's had a great deal to do with our success," Rose said. "She's a terrific offensive player, she's a really good passer and her blocking shows flashes of making great strides. She plays hard and I'm glad she's here."
Her skills on offense have not gone unnoticed. She has been named Big Ten Freshman of the Week three times this season and is sporting a .321 hitting percentage. Rockwell said Frantti's strengths are in her attacking, passing and serving.
"She loves to hit, hit, hit. It's great because she can score and it's hard for people to stop her," Rockwell said. "She's becoming way more comfortable as a passer and her serving game is really good right now. She's got a tough, jump float serve that is hard to handle."
During matches, Frantti tries to hit every ball that comes to her way, whether it's a perfect set from Micha Hancock, or a bump set from the back row, proving her unwavering desire to attack the ball.
In addition to her hitting, Frantti said her energy is one of her biggest strengths.
"I bring energy in games and I get the girls fired up," Frantti said.
Rockwell agreed, saying her energy plays a very important role.
"She and Haleigh bring the youth and the fun to the game for the older ones that have this sense of urgency to be great and win and [be] clean all of the time. They can bring everybody back down," Rockwell said. "Ali does a pretty good job of that just by being herself and [being] silly and a little bit goofy at times. We just want her to go hard and have fun. And it's contagious."
After playing for almost three months at the collegiate level, Frantti said she is seeing the game differently.
"At the beginning of the year, I felt like it was such a fast pace and I was always on my toes," Frantti said. "I'm more in a rhythm now and I'm adjusting well to the speed of the game."
Earlier this week, Frantti said she is working on improving her blocking. Against Iowa on Wednesday, the outside hitter recorded two blocks, one of which a solo block. Her nine kills also helped Penn State sweep the Hawkeyes.
Frantti and the sixth-ranked Nittany Lions look to continue their nine-match win streak against Minnesota on Saturday in Rec Hall at 7 p.m.