Japp helps unite 33-7 Scorpions en route to NAIA nationals

As a team captain and returning starter from last year’s volleyball team at the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College, Katie Japp has taken it upon herself to help bring together this season’s squad that includes so many new and talented players from such diverse backgrounds.

With only three players back from the 2006 team, the Scorpions have truly come together and are playing their best volleyball of the season as they head into next week’s NAIA National Tournament at Columbia, Mo., with a 33-7 record.

“Having a new coach and a lot of new players has definitely changed the dynamic of the team,” said Japp, a 6-foot junior outside hitter from Omaha, Neb. “With our new coach (Marcus Young), we’ve added some new drills, plus the new players from different countries have each brought along their own style of volleyball. It’s meshed really well, and we’ve all learned a lot from each other.”

Japp, an exercise science/psychology major, has tried to be a catalyst in facilitating that process. She captains the team along with senior outside hitter Jenny Ashley.

“We’ve kind of made it our role to not only contribute in all areas such as digging, hitting and blocking, but to also be positive and supportive to everybody,” said Japp, who ranks third on the team with 300 kills and second with 52 aces while playing in 142 games. “We have a lot of different personalities and a lot of different cultures represented on this team, and everybody has their moments when they’re not playing their best, so we just try to bring everybody up all the time.”

Japp’s teammates appreciate the supportive role she has assumed.

“Katie gives us a lot of motivation,” said Jenissa Arrambide, a 6-2 freshman middle blocker. “She brings the team together. I love the fact that she talks it up on the court everyday. Even though she might not be having a good day, she doesn’t let it show on the court.”

UTB-TSC coach Marcus Young appreciates Japp’s presence for another reason.

“I think the best part of Katie being on the team is her serve-receive digging,” he said. “She passes the ball really well and plays very good defense. That helps the team out by having good ball control so that we’re able to run our offense because of that good passing and digging.”

The Nebraska native said coming to South Texas and playing for the Scorpions for two seasons now has greatly influenced her life.

“It’s definitely been an experience that I’m grateful for, and it’s changed me in a lot of positive ways,” she said.