Morehead State University - Raconteur Yearbook (Morehead, KY)

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To join the Peace Corps is a thought for the future of Missy Blanford, a sophomore from Louisville. Blanford led the nations collegiate volleyball players with her percentage ofkills. L436L While not on the courts or working out, Blanford goes to the St. Claire Medical Center to put her nursing major to work on the patients. Missx Blanford 141

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Killing the competition Louisville sophomore Missy Blanford had much to be proud of during the 1987 volleyball season. In addition to the 3.9 grade point average she maintained within the Universityis nursing program, Blanford performed impressively on the court as a member of the OVC champion Lady Eagle volley- ball team. Blanford led the nations collegiate volleyball players with her high percentage of kills L436l, which are spike or dink attempts the other team cannot return. Even so, Blanford claimed her proudest distinction of the season was the opportunity to set for the team. This was an outstanding accomplishment for Blanford, since she is only 53 . Just being able to set was a real highlight ofthe season for me? said Blanford. iiCoach McClellan recruited me to be a defensive player. I never thought I would get the opportunity to set in college? As a setter at Holy Cross High School, Blanford was an all-state and all-conference player for three years. She was named to the Notre Dame all-tournament team, and also lettered in basketball. iiCollege volleyball is nothing like volleyball on the high school level. It is extremely competitive, and demands a lot of hard workfi said Blanford. iiHowever, the rewards make all the work worthwhile? Some of Blanfordis rewards included being named to the All-OVC tournament team, and being the mid-season tourna- ment teamis most valuable player. iiMissy is an excellent student and an outstanding volleyball player? commented Coach Jim McClellan. iiShe overcomes a tremendous obstacle since she is only 5'3 . One of the Tennes- see players she came up against was a foot taller than she? Blanfordis teammates seem to agree that she is a gifted player. uMissy is a real team leader, and one of the most dedicated athletes I have ever met,n com- mented outside hitter Missy Papai. iIShe always gives 11070, and has a positive attitude in every aspect of life. Missy refuses to settle for any- thing less than ab- solute perfection t h r o u g h h a r d work, on and off the court? While not on the volleyball court, Blanford enjoys student nursing. I like the clini- cals, during which we go to the hospi- tal and actually work with the pa- tients? Blanford explained. IiIt is Sgorts Feature 140 great to be able to put what Iive learned to practical use. Clinicals have shown me that I chose the right profession. I really enjoy helping people. After she graduates, Blanford intends to put her degree to good use, helping others who are less fortunate by working with the Peace Corps. iiJoining the Peace Corps is a strong possibility; I have to check it out from a professional perspective before I commit myself, howeverj, she said. iiIfI donit choose that path, I will get ajob, or maybe work toward my masters degree? Blanford also plans to get married after she graduates to her longtime boyfriend, who is also a student at the University. de like to get married as soon as I am financially stable. If we decide to go into the Peace Corps, we will get married right after we graduate so we can be stationed together? she said. The main influence on Blanford,s life is her father, who she said always encouraged her to excel. iiIt isnit like he made me do anything, thoughf, she said. iiBoth of my parents have given me so much; the only way I can think of to pay them back is to be successful. My top priority is to make them proud? The Blanfords must be proud of their daughter, who is a strong, consistent player, in the words of Coach McClellan. Out of the 108 matches played by the Lady Eagles in the fall season, Blanford participated in 107. We work hard; certainly as hard as any of the more recog- nized sports on campusf, Blanford said ofthe volleyball team. A lot oftimes, athletes in the so-called minor sports donit get the pat on the back they deserve? Blanford noted that crowd support was a little better for the volleyball team this year, although the team has never had a large crowd showing. So many people think of volleyball as a igirlish, sport, but if they were to watch it they would see that it was as intense as any other sport? she said. Of all of the players on the court, passers and setters get the least recognition, Blanford said. iiSpectators see the bitter, and donit really notice the passer or the setter as much. Once again, I think everyone should get credit, because all ofus work hard, and it takes all ofus to make up the team, said Blanford. The hard work includes year-round practice and weight- lifting, which is especially important to Blanford. TI try to take care of my body. I donit drink or smoke, andI try to exercise as much as my studying will allowf, she said. iiBut I have to confess; I usually eat as bad as I possibly canlii she added jolkingly. The rest of the volleyball team shares Blanfordis dedication to the sport, as was evidenced by their OVC championship. The season started offreally badly? said Blanford. TI think it all finally pulled together when we started working as a team, rather than as individuals; Volleyball is probably the most team-oriented sport. It takes all ofus pushing to the limit. In a match situation we all have to hold our own. There are no stars once the action begins? - Story By: Karen Craigo Photos By: Jeff Colquhoun Blanford, setter for the team, was named to the All OVC tournament team and the mid-season tournament teamis most valuable player.

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So close, yet so far iiWe have been described as a team whose success has been so close, yet so far away? said 5'1 1 senior, Talbert Turner, from Peach Grove. But when a team is playing under a new coach, thatis to be expected? The Eagles men,s basketball team completed the season with an overall record of 5-22, but Head Coach Tom Gaither insisted that the team played well. mThe team was hurt by last years graduation, he said. We lost Bob Mc- Cann who now plays for the National Basketball Association. You just donit go out and find someone to fill the shoes ofa player like McCann. But we have recov- ered.,, Gaither noted that the team had two major hurdles to overcome, adjusting to a new coaching staff and the first year of full-recruiting. Despite this, the team accomplished a lot by playing very close ball gamesf said Gaither. Michael, Mason, a 62 senior from Throughout his first season at the University, Coach Tommy Gaither saw many upsets. The team had a record of 5-22. PHOTO BY: Kevin Goldy North Portland, AL, admitted that the team had to adjust to a new style of coaching. iiWe also had a lack ofcommu- nication among the team members be- cause everyone wanted to play. That just wasnit possible this season, he said. The team started the season with a 93-84 win over Tennessee Wesleyan at home. Derrick Davis, a 6'4 senior from Decatur, AL, led the team with 1 9 points and 15 rebounds. Another early win over the University of Ohio t99-92i had the Eagles looking forward to a winning season. tiWe were happy with our first gamef said Davis. ttWe felt like we were pre- pared for the season. But Coach Gaither realized that the team had its weaknesses. We were not well-balanced as a team, he said. itEvery player had not reached his full potential. We lost a few ball games which were very close, point- wisef, In spite of their losing season, the Ea- may Bo Rivers, drops in two points to bring his average up to 1 1.4 per game. Rivers is a junior letterman and starter from Newark, NJ. PHOTO BY- Kevin Goldy