ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, January 30, 1997 TAG: 9701300003
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-6 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG
SOURCE: ANGIE WATTS STAFF WRITER
The clock on the wall read 8:40 p.m. and the Blacksburg volleyball team was still scrambling around the gym floor in a feisty effort to notch a point against their teammates in an intrasquad scrimmage. Practice was scheduled to end 10 minutes before, but no one seemed concerned with the time.
When the one-point race to seven was complete, first-year coach Jennifer Arbuckle noted the end of another practice with the familiar line, "bring it in."
The players moaned with disappointment as they gathered around Arbuckle, better known as ``Bucky'' to the team, wishing they had time for just one more game.
"It's really nice after a tough day at school to get in here and play," senior Andrea Feret said. "Bucky has such a positive attitude and makes it fun for us. We're really enjoying ourselves this year."
Enjoying themselves, and learning. Just one year ago, Arbuckle was a member of the Virginia Tech varsity and had been named to the All-Atlantic 10 team. She also was recognized as a strength and conditioning All-American. The player-turned-coach still has plenty of player left in her.
In addition to having a knack for explaining to the girls what they need to do to improve, she can show them. Arbuckle competes as hard as the players in practice, diving for as many free balls as anyone else. You almost can hear a collective breath being held by the girls on the opposite side of the net when a ball is set in her direction. And you can see the glow of excitement on the players' faces if a ball she hits over is returned.
"Nice set Bucky," one of the players teased as a ball Arbuckle hit sailed into the net and fell to the floor during the scrimmage.
She responded with a towering block on the next play, then spiked a second ball through the defense, saying with a devilish grin, "no worries."
"I want them all to have the will to compete and the faith in themselves that whatever they choose to do they can do it," Arbuckle said. "You've got to really fight and push and claw your way through life.
"I'm one of the most competitive people in this world, always have been. I hate losing in anything, even just fooling around with friends playing tiddlywinks. I must win I want to beat my 9-year-old sister in Candy Land."
That competitive spirit and enthusiasm carries over to her team. Despite a slow 4-7 start, the Indians show no signs of frustration. A very confident Blacksburg team still has its sights set on a strong finish in the Blue Ridge District and a return trip to the postseason, this year for the first time in Region III.
"We still have over half of the season to go, and volleyball is one of those sports where anything can happen," Arbuckle said. "The way we're playing right now I think we still have a chance at going back to regionals. We've just got to focus on each game as it comes and look forward to the district tournament. I'm crossing my fingers hoping we're going to peak at the right time."
Arbuckle said a key to future success will be how well the girls communicate on the court. Feret and the team's other two seniors, Rachel Barker and Megan Notter, are expected to set the tone.
"I try to do my best to get everyone going and talking," Feret said. "We only have three seniors, so it's hard for us, but every little bit helps. I try to show my excitement on the floor or crack a joke every now and then - anything to get everyone motivated."
It seems to be working. With several games postponed because of inclement weather, Blacksburg has had plenty of practice time these past few weeks. Arbuckle said she can see a difference in the way the team is communicating more freely on the court.
Arbuckle may be credited for the breakthrough. This self-proclaimed volleyball junkie talks nonstop on the court when playing with her team, yelling everything from "passers, you've got to be more aggressive" and "way to play that ball" to "give me five sit-ups, my God that was just ugly."
"I think my being out there and able to joke around with them helps," Arbuckle said. "In the tournament we played in at Abingdon there were some coaches that just bawled their team out, yelling and screaming at them. It was all negative and I think that's just awful. Even when someone is doing something wrong it's never 100 percent wrong. I think it's more helpful to tell them how to fix it."
Her patience and experience are apparent.
"It's an inspiration and a great motivation for us to have her out there," Feret said. "She just encourages us all the time and keeps us going when we're down. Already it's incredible how much she's taught us. She's given all of us one-on-one attention with technique and stresses that we need to work together. We listen, because we all know she's been there."
LENGTH: Medium: 87 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: ALAN KIM. Blacksburg girls volleyball coach Jennyby CNBArbuckle goes over some pointers after a recent practice.