Miller, Lady'Backs enter SEC play
Harold McIlvain II
Issue date: 9/19/07 Section: Sports
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Senior Ashley Miller has been a standout defensive presence ever since she arrived on campus to play for the Lady Razorback volleyball team.
In her freshman year playing libero for the Lady'Backs, Miller set a single season record with 510 digs and was selected for the Southeastern Conference All-Freshman team. Miller, a Vacaville, Calif. native, has since broken her single season digs record and has improved greatly every year.
"Ashley has had a huge impact on our program," said Arkansas head coach Chris Poole. "She came to our program with the ability to communicate very well. Some players coming in are just athletes and do not communicate as well as she does. She has the confidence to talk even on the floor even while plays were going on the court."
While playing in the second game against Kansas State, Miller broke the school record for career digs as she passed the 1,659 dig mark of former leader Krystal Osborne. After the weekend SEC games, Miller stands atop the list with 1,750 career digs.
"It is a very special accomplishment," Poole said. "We've had great players come through this program and for her to be atop the list is a dedication to her hard work. Some players settle with their talent once they become good, but Ashley wants to get better. She had a great freshman year and she wasn't satisfied with that. She set a goal during her freshman year to break that record and she did everything to do that."
Miller's consistent play, game after game, at the libero position will be a key factor for another successful season for the Lady'Backs in the SEC, Poole said.
"We depend on her as she anchors our serve and receive," Poole said. "If she has an off game we are going to struggle and she knows that. She takes great pride in bringing her best game for the team as we need her to be successful. Even if she is having an off game, she has great confidence and responds well on the court."
Not only does Miller display leadership to the team with her ability to communicate on the court, but she shows her leadership off the court as well, Poole said.
"She demands a lot of herself," Poole said. "She does everything we ask and more as she will get some extra running in or visit our nutritionist to make sure she stays in top shape. She does everything to be the best she can be. She came here as a pretty good student but has worked hard in the classroom and become a great student. She is a great example for our younger players."
The Lady'Backs (6-6, 0-2 SEC) lost two SEC games over the weekend against Ole Miss and No. 24 LSU and have a five game losing streak, but the team is playing better, Poole said.
"We are giving up big runs and you just can't do that against good teams," Poole said. "We played a little better today but we have to step up and get past the youth and the injuries and except the challenge. We worked hard enough to win, but we gave away too many mini-runs."
The Lady'Backs next play on the road against Mississippi State Friday then travel to Alabama for a game Sunday.
In her freshman year playing libero for the Lady'Backs, Miller set a single season record with 510 digs and was selected for the Southeastern Conference All-Freshman team. Miller, a Vacaville, Calif. native, has since broken her single season digs record and has improved greatly every year.
"Ashley has had a huge impact on our program," said Arkansas head coach Chris Poole. "She came to our program with the ability to communicate very well. Some players coming in are just athletes and do not communicate as well as she does. She has the confidence to talk even on the floor even while plays were going on the court."
While playing in the second game against Kansas State, Miller broke the school record for career digs as she passed the 1,659 dig mark of former leader Krystal Osborne. After the weekend SEC games, Miller stands atop the list with 1,750 career digs.
"It is a very special accomplishment," Poole said. "We've had great players come through this program and for her to be atop the list is a dedication to her hard work. Some players settle with their talent once they become good, but Ashley wants to get better. She had a great freshman year and she wasn't satisfied with that. She set a goal during her freshman year to break that record and she did everything to do that."
Miller's consistent play, game after game, at the libero position will be a key factor for another successful season for the Lady'Backs in the SEC, Poole said.
"We depend on her as she anchors our serve and receive," Poole said. "If she has an off game we are going to struggle and she knows that. She takes great pride in bringing her best game for the team as we need her to be successful. Even if she is having an off game, she has great confidence and responds well on the court."
Not only does Miller display leadership to the team with her ability to communicate on the court, but she shows her leadership off the court as well, Poole said.
"She demands a lot of herself," Poole said. "She does everything we ask and more as she will get some extra running in or visit our nutritionist to make sure she stays in top shape. She does everything to be the best she can be. She came here as a pretty good student but has worked hard in the classroom and become a great student. She is a great example for our younger players."
The Lady'Backs (6-6, 0-2 SEC) lost two SEC games over the weekend against Ole Miss and No. 24 LSU and have a five game losing streak, but the team is playing better, Poole said.
"We are giving up big runs and you just can't do that against good teams," Poole said. "We played a little better today but we have to step up and get past the youth and the injuries and except the challenge. We worked hard enough to win, but we gave away too many mini-runs."
The Lady'Backs next play on the road against Mississippi State Friday then travel to Alabama for a game Sunday.
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