Former Española Valley High School volleyball star Amanda Strauss has found her sophomore stride after a tough debut year at Adams State University.
In high school, the 5-foot, 9-inch Strauss was one of the leading outside hitters in New Mexico and two-time District 2AAAA Player of the year; she led Española to the state championship game in 2006.
But her height proved to be an drawback when she started as an outside hitter for the Adams State Grizzlies.
“I got blocked a lot because I was one of the smaller outside hitters,” she said. “I wasn’t used to getting blocked and I began to lose confidence in myself and thinking, ‘Gosh, maybe I’m not that good a player anymore.’”
Strauss said her coach, Lindy Mortensen, reassured her by saying she was a good hitter — she just had to deal with the block.
Strauss started the first 10 games at Adams State her freshman year, but a nagging shoulder injury worsened and she missed the Grizzlies’ next 11 games.
“It was hard, sitting on the bench and watching my team play,” she said.
When Strauss returned to action, she was in for another surprise. Mortensen wanted her to play the libero position.
“Coach told me, ‘Amanda, we need you to pass for us,’” Strauss said.
It wasn’t an easy transition.
The libero is a defensive specialist who plays strictly on the back row. She makes passes to the team’s setter, who then puts the ball where hitters can pound it for the kill.
It is also the libero’s responsibility to “dig” the hard shots that the opposing team sends her way.
Strauss was already a good passer when she received serve, but she said digging proved to be a harder skill to master.
“I wasn’t used to going all out, diving on the floor and chasing balls all over the court,” she said. “Coach rode me hard and would tell me, ‘Amanda, I know you can do this.’”
As it turned out, Mortensen was right.
“I said, ‘Gosh, I can do this,’” Strauss said. “Our offense got so much better because our setter wasn’t running all over trying to get to balls.”
With Strauss as libero, the Grizzlies won six of their next seven games. Adams State ended its season with a loss to University of Colorado—Colorado Springs in the semifinals of the Rocky Mountain Conference tournament, despite a career-high 22 digs by Strauss.
This year, Strauss is not the starting libero for the Grizzlies. Freshman A. J. Palmer has moved into that role.
“She’s amazing,” Strauss said. “We had such a good recruiting class.”
Strauss now starts as right-side defender and occasionally takes a few swings as right-side hitter. To illustrate her versatility, the Grizzlies roster lists her position as an outside hitter/right side hitter/libero.
Although defensive skills don’t attract the same attention or accolades as hitting, Strauss said she’s learned to appreciate her role.
“It’s nice knowing you made that perfect pass to set up the hitter,” she said.
Adams State competes at the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II level. It’s a young team, without seniors, but Strauss said they aren’t looking ahead to next year.
“We decided we want to start the story for Adams State this year,” Strauss said. “We’re focusing on the Rocky Mountain Conference tournament and making it to the national tournament.”
Strauss is seeking a degree with a double major in business administration and exercise science/sports administration. Although volleyball may not be in her future after college, sports likely will be, she said.
“Right now is the time is the time to enjoy (volleyball),” she said. “(After college,) why not maybe manage a professional sports team?”