Fresno State Athletics
Pearson Setting Up for the Future
12/20/1999 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Dec. 20, 1999
FRESNO, Calif. - Sometimes rookies don?t always get a chance to sit back and learn. Occasionally they are thrown into action right away. Setter Brittney Pearson, a freshman out of Sanger High, experienced that early this season when senior setter Diann Aufdermaur was hampered by back problems.
Pearson, a varsity team captain and MVP all three years in high school, stepped in for the injured Aufdermaur and held her own. During a stretch where Pearson started three straight matches, she averaged 8.43 assists per game. She also posted a season-best 51 assists, 10 digs and two service aces against Cal Poly.
The transition from high school to college can be difficult and Pearson didn?t get much time to adjust. She had to soak in the system very quickly, during which she attempted to recognize her teammates? subtleties.
"You have to learn the game a lot faster," Pearson said. "It was hard in the beginning. I just went in there and made sure I performed to the best of my ability."
Competing on the floor gave Pearson first hand knowledge of what it takes to be productive at this level. She has taken the most from her experiences to help her build on the future. She will immediately begin to develop her setting skills more fully, improve her quickness and gain an understanding of how to sense the flow of a game.
"It was a good experience to contribute early on," Pearson said. "I?m still learning everyday and I want to improve as fast as I can."
Now that Aufdermaur is at full strength, Pearson gets that chance to do some studying. After all, Aufdermaur is a great athlete to model one?s self after. From the senior setter?s example, Pearson can learn proper technique and communication skills that are essential during battle. It will give her a chance to evaluate situations that she will encounter throughout her career.
"I?ve been paying close attention to Diann," Pearson said. "Along with the direction that the coaches provide, I?m learning to apply what I see from Diann to my own performance."
The future may come sooner than later for Pearson. Next season she will be able to develop and hone her skills when she assumes her role as a full time setter. It may be a difficult process, but there?s no doubt that Pearson will arrive as an elite player at her position.
