It took outside hitter Ellen Herman almost 15 years to decide that she wanted to play volleyball competitively.
As a freshman for Ohio, it has taken her barely 15 matches to have a big effect on this year's squad.
Herman currently leads the Bobcats with 173 kills this season, averaging 3.93 a game, and she is fourth in the Mid-American Conference in kills, behind three seniors. She was named the MAC's East Division Player of the Week for the week of Sept. 11 after registering double-digits in kills in all three matches during the Holiday Inn Express Volleyball Invitational.
Had she made some different decisions in the years preceding her arrival in Athens, Herman might not be turning heads as a Bobcat like she has so far this season.Beginnings in soccer
I haven't played volleyball for very long
if you think about it Herman said. Most of my friends had played volleyball since they were in second grade.
While most of her friends learned the sport at an early age, Herman grew up playing soccer in her hometown of Toledo. Other than a few games of volleyball held at family functions, she did not take the game seriously until she decided to try out for the middle school team when she was in seventh grade.
(Playing volleyball) was just another thing to do in middle school. It's a fall sport so I figured I might as well try out for (the team)
and I made it
Herman explained.
Once the volleyball and soccer schedules conflicted, Herman had to choose between the two ' the choice was obvious to her.
I stopped playing soccer
Herman said, laughing.Herman joined the Toledo Volleyball Club before her freshman year of high school, where she was coached by Dave Habegger.
Herman said Habegger was the one person largely responsible for pushing her to get into volleyball. He's the one who taught me middle quicks
slides
back slides and everything
so I think he is definitely one person who helped me
Herman said.Joining the Bobcats
As the first two-time All-Ohio selection in the history of the Toledo Central Catholic High School volleyball program and PrepVolleyball.com's 43rd-rated recruit of the class of 2006, Herman fielded offers from many schools.
After watching her play in high school, Ohio coach Geoff Carlston knew he had to bring her to Athens.
The big thing for me was how she played
Carlston said. She's just the most passionate person I've ever seen play the sport. She visibly loves to play.
I came back after watching her play at a high school match
