Stetson volleyball freshmen Madison Fitzsimmons and Haley Tippett have a lot in common, and as a result, they have become fast friends. For starters, both hail from the state of Texas, growing up about an hour apart in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
However, they were total strangers until they started competing against each other on the club volleyball level. That's where Stetson head coach Kristina Hernandez first caught a glimpse of their potential.
"They played in a really competitive league in Texas, and they both had that same on-court attitude with being very aggressive," Hernandez said. "I knew those were the types personalities we wanted for our team. They are very similar in that aspect on the court, but off the court they are probably the nicest kids. They get along with everybody, and everybody loves them. I think it is a good balance."
Unbeknown to either Fitzsimmons or Tippett, Hernandez recruited both players to come to Stetson.
"On my visit (to campus), we were riding around, looking at the gym, and coach (Hernandez) said, “Do you know Haley Tippett? She committed here last week,'" Fitzsimmons said. "I said, 'Oh, really?' We were just acquaintances, but then we started hanging out (in Texas). The first time we went to see a movie I don't think we stopped laughing the whole night."
"I was really excited when I found out Madi picked Stetson because someone from Texas was going to be with me," Tippett said. "We are going to go through the same experiences being so far away from home."
Now two weeks into their first collegiate season, Fitzsimmons and Tippett have each made an immediate impact on the team. Tippett has started all seven matches at the outside hitter position and leads the team in kills (64) and digs (70). Fitzsimmons, a middle blocker, has started six matches and leads the team in blocks (24).
Head coach Kristina Hernandez says the pair have adjusted to the college game very quickly.
"I think they do a good job of being themselves and not being passive because they are young, or because it is new," Hernandez said. "They just go out there and play. I think that is a good quality for them to have their first year, to really just go out there and try and make our team better."
"Being themselves" typically involves bringing lots of energy and enthusiasm to each and every match. Whether a big point has been scored or the team is gearing up to take the court, both are often encouraging their teammates and trying to push the squad forward.
"I think we both want to have a really positive impact on what the team is doing, and on how hard everyone is working," Tippett said.
"We just bring the heat from Texas. It just follows us," Fitzsimmons quipped, which was immediately followed by laughter from both players.
That then begged the question, do the two ever bring too much giddiness to the team?
"Sometimes they feed off of it, and sometimes they say, 'Listen, you are being a little rowdy, calm it down.'" Tippett said.
"That's just the way we play," Fitzsimmons added.
Fitzsimmons, Tippett and the rest of the Hatters (2-5) will make their 2015 home debut this Friday as Stetson hosts FIU (4-2) at 3 p.m. and Mercer (1-5) at 7 p.m. Both matches are part of the Stetson Invitational and will be carried live on WatchESPN.
Tickets are available for $5.00 per match for the three-game tournament, which concludes with a Mercer vs. FIU match on Saturday at noon. Stetson faculty, staff, and students are admitted free with a valid ID.
On Friday, fans can participate in a serve to win contest with prizes of Stetson gear and gift cards totaling over $500. Free pizza and drinks will be available between matches as well.
In addition to the ESPN3 boradcasts, live stats, the Stetson volleyball twitter feed, and the HatCheck text messaging system will provide in-game updates.
