5 Reasons Volleyball Players Make Great Basketball Stars

<p>  Goodbye high school volleyball, and hello basketball.  There is a great debate surrounding the idea of being a multi-sport athlete.  Many believe to be very successful into college, one must specialize in a single sport.  But at Prep Dig, we know that volleyball athletes make the best ballers. </p> <p>Here are the top five reasons why:</p> <p><strong>We know how to get the Assist – </strong>Your setter will make a great point guard.  Both positions require a strong ability to see the whole court and find the open person.  Just as the setter feeds the hitter who is getting kills, the point-guard gets the ball to the shooter with the hot hand.  Both positions require a strong knowledge of the game, and the coaches trust that they will take care of the ball.</p> <p><strong>Explosiveness –</strong> Often you hear volleyball athletes do not have to be good runners, but our explosiveness is even better.  Being able to turn and move across the net for a block in a split second is a testament to how middles can generate speed quickly.  Those same hitters will be great at driving to the hoop.  A fast change in tempo can catch the opponents of guard.  Reaction time is a trait of the most successful athletes.</p> <p><strong>Defense is low</strong> - In basketball the defender has to be in a low, ready position.  This is similar to the stance of a volleyball player the <em>entire</em> match.   Down and ready in volleyball does not mean just on defense but at the net, on serve receive and when covering your hitters. </p> <p><strong>Serving is to volleyball what free-throws are to basketball</strong> – The pressure of the free throw line is nothing new for volleyball players.  We start every point with all eyes on us at the service line.  Likewise, the serving routine of an individual is similar to bouncing the ball twice and giving it a spin before the set shot. </p> <p><strong>Don’t mind diving</strong> - Girls, it is ok to pack your knee pads in your basketball bag.  Just like they help digging hard hit balls in volleyball, you can use them to go after loose balls in basketball.  Tie up opponents by hitting the floor and grabbing the floor.  Take what you know about sprawling and rolling and apply it to basketball.  Your coaches will love the hustle and extra effort.</p> <p>Five Great Dual Sport athletes from Minnesota:</p> <p><strong>Lilly Meister</strong> – <em>Rochester John Marshall :  </em>This season the 6'2'' sophomore set a new state record for blocks (16 in a match.)  On the basketball court, she averages around 15 points a game.  Last year, as a freshmen, she led her team with 22 points against Lakeville North in the section semi's.</p> <p><strong>Mallory Brake</strong> – <em>Hastings:  During the volleyball season the 6' middle provides her team with consistency and blocking.  In basketball she excels with a field goal percentage of .418</em></p> <p><strong>Jordyn Hilgemann</strong> –<em> Marshall: </em> At the state tournament this talented athlete added 10 kills in a tough loss against <em>Belle Plaine</em> as an outside hitter.  It's likely we could see her on the big stage again for basketball.  Last year they went to state and she had 36 points in their consolation win against<em> Hibbing.</em></p> <p><strong>Mallory Heyer</strong> – <em>Chaska: </em> At 6'1'' another sophomore who is still developing in volleyball but has the basketball game down as the forward for Chaska.</p> <p><strong>Jordyn Lamker</strong> – <em>Maple Grove: 6' </em>junior who plays middle and right side in volleyball and is a guard in basketball.  Last year as a sophomore she had a game high of 30 points!</p>