Volleyball is for Anyone

Plymouth, N.H. –The Plymouth State Men’s Volleyball team is a combination of many different kinds of people with all different skill levels in the sport. Some of the team members haven’t even touched a volleyball until they come to their first practice with the team. Mark Jacob is one of these members, but in a year since joining up with the team, his game has accelerated greatly.Born and raised in Rutland, Vermont, Mark grew up on soccer and played it from PeeWee’s all through his senior year at Mill River Union High School. He came to Plymouth State with no intentions of playing a serious sport, but when confronted by team volleyball star Daniel Barry last fall and asked if he would consider joining, Mark figured he would give it a shot. After playing for a year, watching and learning from people like Barry and Coach Jim Donavan, Mark’s game has improved drastically. Mark still feels that his ability level is “around average,” but notes that he has made some great improvements.”I am a starter on this year’s team, and I feel like I bring a lot to the table,” said Mark of his progress. He takes the position of middle out on the court, and also has a hand at hitting both the weak and strong sides. He feels that the things one needs most if starting out in volleyball are “motivation and dedication to get out on the court and move so you can get the ball.” And of course, it helps to be somewhat physically fit.In addition to his performance, Mark also brings a lighter perspective of how to approach the game. “I love playing hard,” says Mark, “but sometimes I think it’s fun to bring an element of humor to the sport. You could say I’m the team clown.”Sometimes it’s intentional; other times, it’s not. At the University of New Hampshire tournament last year, Mark dawned a mullet wig while he was off the court. He is also always willing to tell someone about the game at Northeaster University this past February, where he was blocked by a 5’3″ player. Mark himself is 6’4”. When he first started out, Mark felt like he was never going to really amount to much as a player. “Coming off the soccer field and stepping onto the volleyball court, it’s a totally different game,” said Mark. “I know I have plenty of room for improvement, but I know that I’ve made some serious improvements since I started.”Mark plans on sticking with the team until he graduates, but knows the career that he will eventually have as an information technology major will be demanding of his time. He might have a chance to join up with a recreational league of some sort, but won’t have the liberty of continuing with the sport the way that he has in college.”[Volleyball] is a lot of fun,” says Mark. “It’s a shame it’s not more popular on the east coast.”As you can see, volleyball really can be a sport for anyone; from people who have played all their lives, to people like Mark who walk on to learn and have fun. To anyone in the latter category, Mark has this to say:”If you suck at first keep at it. Listen to your coach and watch your teammates who are more advanced and learn…if I didn’t stick with it even though I thought I was awful, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”