After LSU volleyball’s four-year starter Malorie Pardo graduated last spring, the setting position carried a big question mark behind it — but sophomore Cheyenne Wood erased it.
The Angier, North Carolina, native came to LSU as defensive specialist, but with the team in desperate need of an experienced setter, Wood adapted and went back to the position she played in high school.
“I thought I was going to play on defense and expected to contribute in every way they wanted, just not in the setting role,” Wood said. “But doing what I can for the team and getting this opportunity has been great. Everyone’s been really helpful with the transition.”
Twelve games into the season, Wood averages 21.6 assists and recently had her first 20-20 match during the Tigers’ victory against the University of New Mexico with 20 assists and 20 digs. One week earlier, she achieved a career-high 39 assists against the University of Miami.
“Cheyenne is very athletic,” said LSU coach Fran Flory. “She understands the game, the angles and how to create opportunities for a hitter if the pass is not exactly in system. When you have a creative setter like her, even the most inexperienced hitters are led into opportunities to score.”
The first weekend felt overwhelming, Wood said. Then, she and freshman setter Lindsay Flory shared many minutes competing for the starting spot, which made it hard for the rest of the team to adjust to her play style.
“Cheyenne’s delivery is so much faster than Lindsay’s,” Flory said. “Our hitters have a difficult time adjusting when we substitute. It’s a work in progress and about Lindsay catching up to Cheyenne. She has the tempo, rhythm and the type of set we want.”
Being part of a team with great chemistry of the court, the two setters don’t let the battle affect their friendship. Instead, they use the friendly competition to push one another to higher limits.
“She is such a positive person to be around,” Wood said. “Whenever I get frustrated or tired, Lindsay brings so much joy on the court. During games, when she does really well on her rotations, I want to come in and help finish mine and get a lead before she comes back in, so she can help leading the team to a win.”
With her goal being to add stability and be dependable throughout games, Wood looks up to the seniors on the team a lot and takes notes in her head. She also works on her quickness, vision and selflessness to create a well rounded offense and get everyone involved.
Senior outside hitter Katie Lindelow said her work and experience shows on the court. Wood said she now knows what kind of sets her teammates want and has overall become comfortable in her new role near the midway point in the season.
“We’re jumping on her back and riding with her right now,” Lindelow said. “She’s taking over and that’s what we need her to do.”