Fresno State Athletics
A Power in the Middle
10/19/2000 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 19, 2000
FRESNO, Calif. - In the beginning of her freshman season sophomore middle blocker Lindsay Closs was a threat in the middle for the Bulldogs. She was starter who was putting up solid numbers, even overachieving, before coming across a battle she did not see on the other side of the net: the flu and a stress fracture
Sidelined for 12 matches and missing the first 10 Western Athletic Conference matches of the season, Closs had to deal with injuries that were not only physical in nature but mentally.
"I was just adjusting to playing at the college level and then they're telling me I can't play," Closs said. "I was so emotional on the sidelines last year. It killed me just to watch. I kept thinking to myself that it didn't hurt that bad."
Looking back to her days in Spokane, Washington at West Valley High School, Closs is amazed at how everything has worked out. Growing up she dreamed of playing basketball in college. Her sophomore year Closs made the decision to focus on volleyball rather than basketball and during her two years of playing on the Splash's 18 and under club team she realized that she had the ability to continue playing in college.
As for the decision of where to play, that came easy. She knew she wanted to go away and discovered that Fresno was what she was looking for. After her recruiting trip her senior year she knew Fresno State was the only place she wanted to be.
In the transition of life, Closs also had to not only adjust to injuries but deal with the fact that her family were moving to Florida, creating a larger physical distance.
"My parents have always told me to do my best. Through everything they have never let me wimp out of anything," Closs said. "They are still able to see me play even though we're farther apart. In the beginning of the season they went to Virginia and watched the team play and were one of our loudest supporters."
As one of the most experienced sophomores on the team she sees her role the same as anybody else. "Everyone's role is to go out there and do their best," Closs said. "I don't see myself as a leader out there yet but I'm working on that. I want to play as much as I can and by doing that I will gain invaluable experience and teach that to incoming players."
Since making her way back into action on November 18, 1999 for a win at home against SMU she has found a new appreciation for the game -- a game that has proven to be a valuable learning experience.
