Perfect spike

Katie Japp calls teammate Jenny Ashley someone who can come out on a textbook photo.

As a matter of fact, all the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College players feel the same way.

The high praise the whole Scorpion volleyball team has for Ashley has nothing to do with her looks and is not persuading her to pursue a modeling career but has everything to do with the way she spikes the ball.

“She does it perfectly,” Japp said. “It was how you’re taught to do it.”

It’s the kind of spike Scorpion fans have become accustomed to in her four years at the Brownsville university.

The outside hitter is ready for one last hurrah as UTB-TSC gears up for the NAIA Women’s National Championship in Columbia, Mo. on Wednesday.

The Mesquite native, who is the only senior on the Scorpion squad, has spent all four years playing for UTB-TSC and has seen her share of ups and downs along the way.

Aside from being a standout to the volleyball team year in and year out, Ashley has had to adjust to three different coaches in her four years with the program.

Her college volleyball career couldn’t have started any better as a member of UTB-TSC’s team, which won the Region XIVB (District M) championship and earned an 11th place finish in the NJCAA National Tournament on top of a 31-7 record.

In her sophomore season, the Scorpions weren’t as successful but still managed a respectable 17-10 record that eventually led to head coach Skippy Brown’s departure.

Last season, UTB-TSC got things rolling again after Bruce Atkinson came in and re-energized the Scorpion volleyball program, earning a trip to the NAIA Region VI Tournament semifinals in their first year at the NAIA level. After a 27-12 record, Atkinson packed his bags and said aloha to UTB-TSC program after accepting a job in Hawaii.

With her senior year left, it was only natural for Ashley to be a little upset and question what lied ahead.

“It was frustrating last year,” Ashley said. “It felt like we started all over again. It’s definitely been a struggle with three coaches in four years, but I’ve adapted to a new coach. I’ve really loved the people I’ve played with (in my four years here) and every player I’ve played with this year.”

Overcoming different faces in three of her four years with the Scorpions, Ashley has still been productive with her textbook spikes, racking up 300 kills. As the lone senior on the team, the outside-hitter was then the obvious leader for the 2007 Scorpion team that’s gone 33-7 so far this year with the national championship tournament still to be played.

“It fell on her shoulders, and it’s been one the reasons for our success this season,” UTB-TSC coach Marcus Young said.

Japp has been Ashley’s teammate the last three years. The junior not only sees Ashley a leader but also a friend.

“She’s very positive, calm and great,” Japp said. “She’s an awesome leader and mentor. We’ll be sad to see her go.”