Redshirt junior right-side hitter Ashton Reece has overcome many obstacles in her collegiate career that have helped her become the volleyball player she is today.
Reece has been with the Colorado Mesa University (CMU) Volleyball Program since 2017 and since then has become more confident with her skills on the court. One of the biggest things that she saw and continues to see in the program is how much the coaching staff helps her with her skills.
“How much they are on your side for you to succeed and that is a big thing for me . The relationship that I had with them and I continue to have is great as well,” Reece said.
She has battled with injuries through her time as a Maverick but they are the things that drive her to do well when she gets out on the court . Reece has learned to take things day by day on her road back to the court.
“The rollercoaster and the hiccups were really frustrating. At the end of the day I was like, ‘I don’t know what to do.’ I was like, ‘Okay, it is a new day.’ I had to work harder and work on focusing on this if I could not swing that day so something like defense or something. Just day to day goals to not lose it mentally from the roller coaster,” Reece said.
The mentality that Reece has gained from taking day to day steps has come in handy this season as it has helped her gain a new confidence not only on the court but off the court as well.
The Eaton, Colorado native has improved her defense as well over the years. This year she has more of a role in the back row and has been able to help dig up balls on the right side.
“She is a great blocker so she makes playing defense behind her very easy. She also has been playing in the back row more than last year and her passing and defense has gotten us up in many sets,” redshirt freshman setter Sabrina VanDeList said.
So far this season, Reece has 46 digs compared to last season’s 13. Her solo block numbers have gone up from last season as well as she already has four this season. She has assisted on 22 blocks this season as she works with her teammates to contain hitters on the right-side.
“It is fun. I think that is one of my jobs as a right side is that you do not have to get a stuff [block] everytime but you are trying to touch the ball and get a better play for your team. It is always one of my main focuses on the right side is going up and touching the ball or taking the space away or funneling the curve,” Reece said.
Something else that has helped her improve her game on both the offense and defersive is playing duels during the beach voleyball season.
She continues to be one of the Mavericks strong right side hitters as she had 14 kills against New Mexico Highlands University back on Sept. 25, then the following game at Metro State University-Denver she set a season high with 17 kills from the right side. Through the 15 matches Reece has played in, she has 68 total kills and seven assits.
Reece said that one of her favorite moments on the team was all the bus rides going to the away games and all the silly games that they play on the road.
The Mavericks will make the bus ride to Colorado Springs to take on University of Colorado- Colorado Springs on Oct. 22 at 7 p.m.
