Norton Garnering Plenty Of Attention

By Paul Boyd

Posted: November 22, 2009 at 3:05 a.m.

• Print item
• E-mail
• Share
• Tweet

FAYETTEVILLE — Jasmine Norton has been a smash hit for the Arkansas Razorbacks volleyball team this season.

The freshman outside hitter has gone from just showing flashes of her potential to consistently performing at a high level.

Norton notched 23 kills in her first collegiate match, but she combined for only 29 in her next four matches. But she’s been almost machine-like since the start of Southeastern Conference play, and it’s gotten plenty of notice.

The Rowlett, Texas, native has earned SEC Freshman of the Week honors six times, including the last three. She’s averaged more than 22 kills per match in the last five, including a season-high 29 in the Razorbacks’ five-set loss to No. 19 LSU.

Norton said she’s even drawn a little friendly razzing from the UA football coaches.

“They were saying, ‘You have to get it every week now,’” Norton said.

Norton has surprised Arkansas coach Robert Pulliza, not with her ability, but with the speed at which she’s assimilated into college volleyball.

“I always thought she could be a very special player,” Pulliza said. “Was she going to be this good early? No.”

She’s also been forced to adjust for defenses geared to stop her.

“They are putting two and three blockers, as many as they can on her,” Pulliza said. “But she’s working hard to put herself in position to get outside and being smart with her shot selection.”

Norton said it was a case of understanding her role as the top terminator.

“I didn’t know what to expect early, but once I found out my role, I’ve had to step up to the plate and I think I’ve done a good job,” Norton said.

A large part of that role has been putting the ball down consistently. Mission accomplished.

Her confidence has grown as the season has progressed.

“I feel like I knew I could do it, but it felt like I just had potential,” Norton said. “I had to prove it and put it out on the court, and I have.”

She’s also been forced to work on another part of her game — defense.

Coaches told Norton they needed her in the game all the time, so she had to improve her defense.

“There were times in high school I only played the front row,” Norton said.

She admitted the effort was not always there on defense in the past.

“I used to be one of those players that just looked at it (the ball) as it went by and would go after it after the fact,” Norton said. “I know now the effort has to be there.”

That improvement has also turned some heads.

Norton has averaged a double-double in kills and digs in her last 14 matches and posted a double-double in six straight matches. But one that drew big attention was her 24-kill, 21-dig effort against Alabama on Nov. 15.

“She’s been working on her passing and defense,” Pulliza said. “It’s proved she’s been working. That 21 digs against Alabama. That’s a big number.”

“She’s become a much more complete player.”

Norton’s also become a leader. Early on, she didn’t really believe it was her place. But with seven freshmen on Arkansas’ 12-person roster, experience was not a prerequisite to lead.

She laughed when told her coach described her as having a “big personality.”

“I talk during matches and try to keep people up,” Norton said. “We (the freshmen) have been able to lean on one another. I could see myself (as a leader) down the road.”

Comments

To report abuse or misuse of this area please hit the "Suggest Removal" link in the comment to alert our online managers. Please read our comment policy.

Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.