Bump. Set. Spike. Three simple concepts any player must grasp to succeed in volleyball. Three simple concepts team leader and outside hitter Kristin Decker puts on display while leading the Lady Rams onto the volleyball court. At 14-0, Decker’s skills stole the show as West Chester put on a clinic for preseason favorite East Stroudsburg, winning all three matches on a cool Tuesday evening. Decker is one of two fourth-year players on the Lady Rams dominant volleyball team,
Decker currently ranks first on the team in kills with 165-25 more than Michelle Powers, an outstanding first-year starter, who is second in kills. Decker also ranks second on the team in aces, second in digs, and third in blocks.
On Tuesday evening, Decker also displayed a fourth skill she posses: power. Countless times she soared off the ground rocketing a ball over the net to give her team point after point. Decker understands everything that goes on around her as well. She realizes the importance of having a strong team around her. But is the best team she has played on yet here at West Chester University?
“Yes, at this school, by far, we fortunately had only spot to fill and Michelle [Powers] filled that.” Decker said.
Yes Powers has. She has followed Decker’s lead to the tune of 127 kills (2nd on the team), 11 aces (T-3rd), and 20 blocks (2nd).
Against East Stroudsburg, West Chester had 45 team kills in the three matches. Decker accounted for 13 of those alone, 6 more than the next closest player. As fans roared into Hollinger Field House last Tuesday, Decker provided the excitement and the energy.
Aside from leading her teammates to the best start in school history, Decker’s dominance has given the fans something to get excited about. In the first row of the gym, a group of students came to watch the match with their bodies painted saying “GO RAMS” in purple paint.
Clearly, Decker has helped make the Lady Rams volleyball team one of the schools most dominant squads, and now everyone is beginning to notice. Coaches and teammates both agree that Decker has been as much an influence off the court to her youthful teammates as well as on it.
“My two words I give the girls are no regrets because this is my last year,” Decker added.
Clearly, Decker wants to win this year. And the way this squad is playing, the sky is the limit. But it all starts with three simple concepts: Bump. Set. Spike.