FAYETTEVILLE -- The list of talented, young volleyball players at Fayetteville seems almost endless.
Freshmen and sophomores line up on the court and do their part to make sure the Lady Bulldogs continue on a fast track back to the top of Class 7A.
Faith Waitsman
School: Fayetteville
Class: Sophomore
Height: 6-2
Notable: Has 63 blocks and 42 kills in 17 matches this season, her first with the varsity Lady Bulldogs. … Brother Caleb Waitsman lettered three seasons in basketball and helped lead Fayetteville to back-to-back Class 7A state championship games in 2012 and 2013.
For Faith Waitsman, a sophomore, her role starts with being one of the Lady'Dogs top stoppers.
"I would say my strongest point is blocking and defense," Waitsman said. "That's what I'm in there to do, for sure, is my play at the net."
At 6-feet, 2-inches, Waitsman is one of three Lady Bulldogs who stands 6-feet or taller. Freshman Haley Warner and senior Jordan Liddell also top 6-feet.
The tremendous size is a big plus for Fayetteville, but Waitsman's game isn't just her length. Her game has improved since her first days with the varsity team at the beginning of the season.
"She's kind of a good analogy for our season, in that Faith has steadily improved from August until now," Fayetteville volleyball coach Jessica Phelan said. "And she's a kid we feel like will be even better in October.
"She has a big presence at the net. You look at her and she has big size, and she puts up a formidable block, and that's definitely the strength of this club. We put up some size at the net and hitters have to contend with that."
Waitsman isn't the first family member to make a quick impression in Fayetteville athletics. Her brother, Caleb, played in the 2011-13 seasons and helped the Bulldogs to Class 7A state championship game appearances in his junior and senior years. While her brother was known for a ferocious work ethic and all-out mentality on the court, Faith admits her game is styled a little bit different.
"My brother is one of the most competitive people I know, and he definitely isn't afraid to show his intensity on the floor," Faith said. "I'm probably not up there as high as he is in intensity, but I'm definitely just as competitive."
Waitsman is second on the team with 63 total blocks in 16 matches this season, behind only freshman Warner's 69. Having so many young players lead a team could sometimes be a difficult adjustment, but Waitsman credits the veteran Lady'Dogs with welcoming the new, young Fayetteville players with open arms.
"The mix is really great," Waitsman said. "It's really cool to see how sophomores are good friends with seniors and juniors. It's all mixed together and we're not separated, and that really helps on the court."
As promising as Waitsman and the other young Fayetteville players have been thus far, it might be just the tip of the iceberg. Waitsman for one is excited about what lies ahead.
"I think Fayetteville has the most potential for sure," Waitsman said. "We're really strong right now, but just the fact that some of our strongest players are freshmen, sophomores and juniors is awesome. We just have a ton of potential."
Sports on 09/18/2014