Eastern Mennonite University women’s volleyball senior Becca Hardy (Port Republic, Va./Eastern Mennonite) came into her last year on a high note by posting big numbers in the EMU Invitational this past weekend. The numbers ultimately earned her a spot as the first Royals Athlete of the Week in the 2016-17 school year.
Eastern Mennonite’s middle blocker was named to the All-Tournament Team after her performance over the weekend, where she powered to 50 kills and sustained only two errors. Her average was 3.33 kills per set with a .552 attack percentage. She also had nine blocks on the weekend.
Adding to the impressive performance, Hardy boasted a career-best 22-kill match against Catholic University, a team EMU has had trouble with in the past. The power from Becca helped the Royals defeat Catholic in four sets, winning 3-1.
“It definitely showed what our team is capable of. We all have so many different talents and it was fantastic to see them mesh together into a pretty game of volleyball,” Becca said on the win over Catholic. “Each and every one of us embraced our different roles this past weekend, which made the team as a whole strong and successful. Hopefully now that we know and have proof of what we can do as a team, we can continue to apply that level of play and determination in future matches.”
With a team containing nine freshmen, Becca has grasped a captain spot alongside junior setter Jasmine Johnson (Staunton, Va./Robert E. Lee).
“I definitely felt the need for Jasmine and I to lead and set expectations before we got into the regular season,” Becca said on the leadership role. “I enjoy being a leader especially with such a fun and talented group of girls.”
Becca gives a lot of credit to Carrie Bert in her second year as the head coach of the team. Coach Bert put the Royals in contention for a spot in the ODAC Tournament in the 2015 season, where the team held a 9-16 record.
“Carrie has worked so hard these past two seasons as head coach and she is committed to furthering and bettering EMU’s volleyball program,” Becca stated on her coach. “As fun, sweet, and compassionate as Carrie is, she is also incredibly competitive and persistent. With all these characteristics combined, you end up with a coach that players love, respect, and not only want to play for, but win for.”
Becca spent six weeks in Myanmar and Thailand over the summer for her cross-cultural. In that time, she had little to no access to a gym, but found ways to better and prepare herself for her senior season.
She was able to take the ground and staircases around her and turn them into an area to enhance her agility and cardio, an example of her determination to end out her collegiate career with power.
Becca looks to continue to lead the hot-starting Royals, who have opened the year with a record of 4-1.
“We each have specific, yet different, God-given athletic talents and competitive personalities that come together to form a well-rounded team,” Becca says.
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