Regular season play is nearing its end for the LSU volleyballteam and for three players it marks the end of their college careeras well.
Setter Beth Cowley, outside hitter/middle blocker Regan Hood andlibero Rachel Pittman have spent four years competing in purple andgold.
“All three seniors have been significant and have done agreat job of representing what I believe in and what our program isbased on and philosophy of LSU volleyball,” said coach FranFlory. “They have all had special performances and keyperformances that have led us to win throughout theircareers.”
The end of the season will also bring new paths for eachsenior.
“All of them have developed into successful people and Ihave all the confidence in the world in them that they are going towalk out of LSU and have successful careers with whatever they maybe,” Flory said. “All of them are academicallysuccessful.”
Cowley left her hometown of Lexington, Ky. to be a part of theLady Tigers. In high school she led her team to a nationalchampionship as the starting setter. She saw limited time as afreshmen as backup setter. Her sophomore year she had her topperformance against Ole Miss and recorded several collegiate firststhroughout the season.
Her junior season Cowley saw more of the same success. And as asenior, Cowley stepped in for injured Daniela Romero and had hertop performance against the University of Kentucky on Oct 24.
“Beth is a very good behind the leader type kid,”Flory said. “She adds a lot of motivation to our team everyday.”
Pittman, who is the only senior Louisiana native, played asignificant roll in high school as an outside hitter. Entering LSU,she saw limited action until her sophomore year. As a junior, shebecame starting libero for the Tigers and has continued her successthrough her senior season.
As Pittman’s career comes to an end, she continues hersuccess in the classroom and is considering law school.
“She is a very good leader and knows her balance and stayswithin them,” Flory said. “She’s done everythingI’ve ever asked and she’s played almost every role onthe team.”
Hood saw most of her action as a freshmen when she joined theteam coming out of Carrollton, Texas where she received all-statehonors. As a sophomore, Hood became a starter and was ranked secondon the team in kills and reached many career highs throughout theseason. Hood’s junior season earned her many awards. She wasnamed to second-team All-Southeastern Conference team,All-Louisiana first team and Most Outstanding Player in the MeanGreen Classic Tournament.
“I think [Hood] is the most heralded among the threebecause she has gained the most awards,” Flory said.”She is the most physical opposing.”
As a senior Hood reached a milestone when she recorded her1000th kill. She became only the 14th player in LSU history toachieve the honor. With the conclusion to her college career, Hoodhas mentioned her desire to go overseas and play professionally andpossibly coach.
“I want to get my degree and I may come back and watchthem coach,” Hood said. “I want to see if it’ssomething I’m interested in.”
Teammates said they are glad to have Hood on the team. They seethe qualities she has as a player and a future coach.
“She brings a lot of positive energy to the team,”said outside hitter Jelena Mijatovic. “She is a great playerand I think she has proven herself over the four years she has beenhere. I can tell she is a great person and I think anywhere shegoes she will benefit others. She is there to help you.”
A few matches and tournaments still remain, but the seniors arestarting to realize the difference their lives will have withoutvolleyball.
“I’ve never not been on a team,” Hood said.”That’s going to be the hardest part. I love the gameand I love being around it. It’s going to be hard not beingaround it every day.”
The end of the seniors’ careers brings about much change,but Hood said she is glad to be starting something new.
“It’s bitter sweet. You’ve played your fouryears and you’re glad to have had the experience,” Hoodsaid. “It was a great experience and I’m glad I havethe opportunity to play here.”
The team will finish out its season within the next month.Afterwards the three seniors will focus on concluding their collegeexperience off the court.
“All three will be sorely missed,” Flory said,”but we’re excited for them stepping into the nextphase of their lives.”