tlaporta@mavs.coloradomesa.edu

CMU women’s volleyball is looking to get back on top of the RMAC volleyball picture. To try and get the ball rolling, they went out and got a ball – corn-fed, and farm-raised Casey Ball.

“She’s a farmer’s daughter,” coach Dave Fleming said. “That’s the work ethic. You know you can tell her what needs to be done, and know she’s going to do it.”

Ball is a hard worker, and her career at 3A Eaton High School proves that. As a four-year varsity letter winner as a Fighting Red, Casey was also a two-time All-State selection, and four-time All-League selection.

“She was always taking part in club teams, or was always in the weight room,” former Eaton graduate Rexius said. “Casey is the epitome of work ethic meeting skill.”

Athletic ability and hard work aren’t a part of Ball’s life by accident. They are two qualities that run in her family. Casey’s cousin, Tony Ball, is a Western State wide receiver who also came out of Eaton, her brother Cody was a state champion in basketball in 2007, her mom played volleyball at Platte Valley and earned a state championship there, and after playing in college, her dad spent a year playing basketball overseas in Germany.

Out of high school, Ball looked to get out of the small town of Eaton to Missouri Southern State University, but when the coach she was recruited by left a month before Casey arrived in Joplin, the chemistry with her new coach and team was less than perect.

“I asked for my release forms at Christmas break,” Ball said. “And then I started talking to Colorado Mesa again, and they still wanted me.”

Now back at home in Colorado, Ball is tearing up opposing defenses. Her welcome party to CMU took place Thursday night inside Brownson Arena as the Mavericks took on No. 24 ranked, and undefeated Grand Canyon University. Ball had a great coming-out match as she had two sets with over 10 kills, ending her first night inside Brownson Arena with 42 kills.

“I think she’s been a really good addition to the team,” outside hitter Rebecca Sellers said. “She definitely brings the level of play up in the gym at practice, and in games. There are no hard feelings. I started last year, and we didn’t win, so I’m just happy we’re winning this year, and Casey adds to that.”

The high number of kills is no surprise. At Missouri Southern, Ball finished her first season second out of the entire team with 332 kills, and fourth in digs. Ball started 26 out of the 29 matches she played in as an MSSU Lion.

“[Casey] is a good, genuine kid,” Fleming said. “Your going to see what you get, she’s just a down-home genuine kid.”