Boyd

MUNCIE, Ind. — Jen Boyd was a very good volleyball player at Seneca Valley.

Unfortunately for her opponents, her game has vastly improved.

Boyd, of Evans City, recently wrapped up her freshman season as a middle blocker for Ball State University. She ended with 206 kills, 76 blocks and 21 service aces.

The Cardinals finished 12-21 overall. After defeating Eastern Michigan in the first round of the Mid-American Conference Tournament, the team's season came to an end with a loss to Ohio University.

"I've grown up so much as a player," said Boyd. "Coach (Dave) Boos worked with me on changing my whole arm swing. It's completely different now, but the change has been for the better. By the end of the season, I was hitting the ball better and connecting more with the setter."

The 6-foot Boyd began the season not knowing exactly what her role would be.

But by the time the MAC schedule began in late September, she had been named the starter.

"Jen's best attribute is her athleticism," Boos said. "It makes her a dynamic player, but she's also a very intelligent player."

"I'm a very competitive person and I really wanted to play," said Boyd. "I talked with Coach Boos about how I could get better. When I won the starting job, that was a big accomplishment for me, being a freshman."

In a 3-1 road win at Eastern Michigan Oct. 31, Boyd tallied a team-high 13 kills.

In the MAC Tournament game with the Eagles Nov. 18, she managed 10 kills and put up the same number in a win over Northern Illinois Oct. 10.

By the end of the season, Boyd had made quite an impression on her coaches, teammates and opponents, and was one of six players named to the MAC's all-freshman team. She also made second team all-conference.

"During the season, I didn't think about any of that," Boyd said. "I was just focused on getting better and helping the team get better.

"I wasn't as nervous as I thought I'd be when the season started," she added. "But I was definitely more comfortable by the end of the year."

The 2008 season was Boos' second as the head coach at Ball State. Boyd and nine other true freshmen made up his first recruiting class.

The team made marked improvement after a 5-25 overall record in 2007.

And Boos expects Boyd to be part of another step forward next season.

"I'm looking for her to evolve her offense even more," said Boos. "I think we've just seen the tip of the iceberg as to what she's going to be able to do for us."