Published: October 26, 2007 12:56 am         

Baltrym, Green big additions for MSU this season

The Mountain State University volleyball team has come together this season like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. The Cougars are enjoying their most productive season on the floor, tallying a 22-11 record after Thursday’s match with the University of Rio Grande.

MSU downed Rio Grande 30-20, 21-30, 30-24, 28-30, 15-12.

Two of the main ingredients in the mix for the Cougars have been Jennifer Baltrym and Jesica Green.

“At this game, impact volleyball, it’s about intensity,” MSU coach Tim Berry said. “It’s about power. Then every now and then, you sprinkle in a little finesse. You read your defenses and run a good strong offense.

“They’ve brought a lot to the table for MSU this year.”

Both players are community college transfers, Baltrym from Polk Community College in Winter Haven, Fla., and Green from Rend Lake Community College in Ina, Ill., and both have made significant contributions to the Cougars’ success this season.

Baltrym is the presence in the middle that Berry’s squad has been missing. The 6-foot-1 middle hitter is a big obstacle for opponents to deal with.

“The first thing I was looking for this season was a new middle hitter,” Berry said. “I knew I had to have some size because we were very disadvantaged last year. We didn’t have enough height or power in the middle.”

Aside from the obvious height advantage, Baltrym also brings attitude to the Cougars.

“A loud mouth,” Baltrym said with a sly smile. “Communication, determination, all that good stuff.”

The Kissimmee, Fla., native has been pleased with the way the season has played out so far.

“So far so good,” Baltrym said. “Really good compared to past seasons. I’m proud of it.”

But she still believes there are areas of her own game that she can improve on.

“The toughest thing for me would be blocking,” Baltrym said. “I know I have to work a lot more on it. I’ve gotten better than I was but still, you have to learn.”

“It’s hard to read girls sometimes. You have to know where they are going pretty much.”

Berry observed that Baltrym is her own toughest critic.

“She’s been Player of the Week in the KIAC and Region 12 three or four times,” he said. “She has stayed up in the top 3 in kills, blocks and hitting percentage. She’s an intense competitor and a little hard on herself when she makes a mistake. She has a great floor knowledge of the game. She’s worked middle very well. She blocks and hits well.”

Green gives the Cougars a veteran setter, something they were sorely in need of this season, and more experience as well.

“I hope I bring out leadership and experience,” Green said. “There’s two freshmen and one is a setter, along with me. I hope, not only skills, but like attitude and stuff like that.”

The DuQuoin, Ill. native also sees chemistry as a big part of the Cougars’ success.

“I personally think our team is a healthy team,” Green said. “It’s hard to have a team full of girls without conflict and we haven’t (had any conflict). It’s been good. Hopefully, we finish strong.”

Green is a unique player, taking a year off after her sophomore year to coach before transferring to MSU.

“I sat out a year and coached at my high school in my hometown,” she said. “I was a JV coach and a freshmen coach. I just couldn’t stand not playing. I had two years of eligibility left so I looked on the internet and stuff and e-mailed coaches and here I am.”

With her coaching experience, Green has been an asset working with the younger players along with team captain Jennifer Sloan.

“Every team I’ve played on, I was the captain and leader,” Green said. “This year, it’s been different because we have a captain in Sloan. She’s an amazing captain, so it’s been a learning experience for me, just taking it all in from everything else.”

Along with setting, Green also doubles as an outside hitter.

“In Illinois, I think she was more of a defensive player but she has good hands,” Berry said. “She hits and blocks well. She’s not the tallest at 5-10 but she definitely has some ups. She has a good set of blocking hands on her.

The Cougars have eight matches remaining in the regular season. They play their final home match against Ohio Valley University at 7 p.m. Monday.

— E-mail:

rjett@register-herald.com