She led the volleyball team last season in blocks with 101 and ranked second on the team in kills with 310 for the season. In last weekend’s match against University of Alabama-Birmingham she recorded 20 kills and 12 digs. Not bad for a converted soccer player.
That is a typical performance for LSU’s outside hitter/middle blocker Regan Hood.
“She’s not real experienced in the sport,” said LSU coach Fran Flory. “She was a soccer player. She’s hasn’t come close to realizing her ability as a volleyball player.”
Yet, since she is one of four juniors on a team with no seniors, Hood feels there is pressure on her to lead the young team, even though some of the players may have more experience in the game.
“I feel like I need to be a leader,” Hood said. “Not so much verbally, but in play. If I don’t play well it is frustrating because I see that as my role. I feel there’s a lot of pressure to perform like a veteran.”
Despite having fewer years of experience, Hood is what teammate Beth Cowley calls a “go to person.” Cowley said the team and the coaches often look to Hood to perform since she has been so successful in her two seasons at LSU.
“From a setter’s standpoint, she’s easy to set for because she makes a shot out of whatever I set,” Cowley said.
Cowley said Hood is not a very vocal person, but she is a role model to the team nonetheless.
“She’s a role model through her work ethic,” Cowley said.
In last weekend’s Tiger Classic, Hood showed her playmaking ability, especially in LSU’s nail-biter victory against UAB. For her efforts she was named to the All-Tournament team along with sophomore Megan Heinz.
“She’s taught me to step up and play,” Heinz said. “She’s a great role model.”
Hood stands out on the court not only for her athletic ability but for the concentration she seems to maintain throughout the game. When a point is scored, the team usually takes a moment to high-five and congratulate each other before the next play begins. Hood merely takes a moment to quietly smile at her teammates or accept a high-five before quickly returning to her position.
“It’s all mentality,” Hood said. “I always try to stay focused. The game can shift so easily.”
The Texas native said she wants to bring the LSU volleyball program to a new level while playing and play well enough for LSU to recruit the best players. She also wants to get involved with coaching at the collegiate level.
“It’s good to be able to do something for the school,” Hood said.
As far as her coach and teammates are concerned, Hood’s potential has yet to be seen.
In Cowley’s opinion, Hood has become one of the best hitters in the Southeastern Conference during the last two years.
“She becomes a better person and better player every year,” Cowley said.