A graduate student who played for Kansas State in her undergrad days is bringing her talents to Lipscomb’s volleyball team.
Abby Fay, who was red-shirted her freshman year and sat out her last year, still has a year of eligibility to offer while pursuing her MBA at Lipscomb.
“We’re really excited about her and the leadership style and ability she will bring to our team,” said coach Brandon Rosenthal. “We’re a completely new team, so we’re definitely looking for that leadership aspect.”
A well-rounded player, able to contribute as a setter and libero, Fay brings leadership qualities gained from experience with a Big 12 program, the coach said.
Fay says she “feels like a little kid again” by getting to come back and play one more year of volleyball.
She played on the same club team as senior hitters Alex Kelly and Meghan Hinemeyer and senior setter Jake Pease.
“Their club team was one of the most exciting club teams,” Rosenthal told Mark McGee, Lipscomb sports spokesman.
“People gravitated towards them. They were the fiercest and the most competitive team around. They didn’t care who a team was, what the jersey said or how tall the players were they were. They were going to give everything they had.”
Although Fay will not have the opportunity to play with her club teammates, the four still remain in contact as Alex Kelly inspired Fay to consider Lipscomb.
“I was here visiting this past semester and really felt like this was a place where I could see myself,” said Fay. “It reminded me so much of club volleyball, and club volleyball for me was one of the best experiences of my life. Lipscomb just felt like a perfect fit.”
Fay has made it a goal to get to know her younger teammates off the court and develop relationships with them that will help them sync on the court as well.
And the seasoned leadership should be welcomed, as she joins a team that is undefeated in confererence play the past two seasons, but also lost five seniors.
Fay welcomes the opportunity to help the team reload.