Transition is the operative word for Andover volleyball player Karlie Hauer this season.
Not only did Hauer move from middle to outside hitter, she is dependent on varsity newcomers setting balls in her wheelhouse.
"She'll emerge as we emerge," Huskies coach Connie Huberty said. "You're only as good as the people who get you the ball."
All signs point to eventual success. Hauer, a 5-11 Gophers recruit, hopes to lead Andover to its seventh state tournament appearance in eight seasons. The Huskies fell out of the top 10 this week but sit atop other teams getting votes.
Hauer spoke with Star Tribune reporter David La Vaque about accepting the process of improvement, getting the ball in key moments and Andover's place among the state's top teams.
Q You've played in the middle for two seasons and now you're a left outside hitter. How have you prepared for that transition?
A When I started out I was a middle and that's all I've ever played. But once I stopped growing taller, there was talk that I should probably switch to the outside if I ever wanted to have the possibility of playing for a high-level college program. So I knew it was coming. It wasn't really that hard of a transition. I just had to improve on back row a lot.
Q In a tight spot you know Coach Huberty wants the ball set for you. What is it like having that responsibility?
A When games are super close I'm always hoping they'll set me because I want to put the ball away and get it done with. By mixing it up we have a better shot at getting a point but when it's not working sometimes I get frustrated because I really want to put the ball away. I do sometimes hear the coaches telling them to set me and I just have to accept that it's going to come and know what I have to do to put the ball down.
Q You're a standout player on a team with a lot of new faces. How has the leadership process been going?
A We have four returning varsity players and the setters and other girls have never been on varsity before. So I knew going into it that it was going to be my job and the other seniors' jobs to help them get through the transition as smoothly as possible so that we'd be ready to play at our best. It's going pretty well but we have some stuff we need to work on.
Q Coach Huberty said you'll emerge as the team emerges. Have you been able to stay patient?
A Yeah, I had high hopes for this team and when we've played tough teams it hasn't gone as well as I'd hoped but I haven't lost hope for the team at all. I think that we can improve and that we're going to be pretty good this year.
Q Has there been a game or match -- win or lose -- where you thought the team took a step forward?
A During the Marshall tournament we played LeSueur-Henderson and before that match, Connie had talked to the three captains about really stepping up in our leadership roles and leading by example. So during that match all of us got really excited and amped for every single point and pretty soon the entire team caught on and everyone's energy and effort level was up.
David La Vaque • 612-673-7574
