Although Dory Dudley, senior outside hitter for the Augustana women’s volleyball team, leads the Vikings in kills this season with 82, it’s her leadership that has impressed her teammates and coaches most.
“Dory has displayed tremendous leadership, desire and confidence,” said first year head coach Kelly Bethke. “Her experience in particular has helped this team have such a great start.”
After wins against Knox and MacMurray on Wednesday, Sept. 10, the Vikings pushed its overall record to 9-1 on the season.
A crucial part of the team’s early season success has been the positive attitude from Dudley.
“I think my role is to keep people on a positive track,” said Dudley. “We have a tendency to get down in games and I try to pick people up and not let them get down on themselves. Focus on the next point and not what just happened.”
Dudley’s experience as a senior captain has helped the development of her younger teammates, especially sophomore right-side hitter Nicole Morrissey.
“When I came in last year as a freshman, I was really nervous and she [Dudley] has always been so sweet and helpful, giving me good positive feedback,” Morrissey recalled.
Dudley has tried to make it easier for her new coaches by being a “coach on the floor.”
“I think I see different things on the court than Coach sees on the sidelines, so I try and bring those things to the table,” said Dudley.
Competitiveness has always been a part of Dudley’s approach on the court that it can occasionally be excessive.
“I would say that Dory, and possibly some of the other captains, probably come off a little intimidating to some of the freshman,” said Bethke. “They’re so confident and so focused, that when they practice, there’s a level of intensity that they bring to every point we play.”
“Yeah, I’m kind of crazy sometimes, with a lot of energy,” Dudley said.
Bethke is excited about the work ethic and the togetherness that her Vikings possess.
“When people ask me how are things going? All I can say is they work hard and they have great attitudes, what more can I ask for,” said Bethke.
While Dudley is just one player in the Vikings balanced attack (five players with at least 49 kills), Bethke knows she is essential to the team’s success.
“She’s a great player and I know I can count on her,” said Bethke. “She’s one of our go-to hitters in tight matches when we need a point. As long as she stays healthy and keeps playing at the level she’s playing at, I think we will be successful.”