VOLLKYBALL PROFILE
>— u— »-*
r hOW By
junior Mindee Adams has fought back from injuries to become
one of the elite blockers in the Pacific-10 Conference, as well
as an offensive player the Ducks can rely on.
Adams blocks her way to respect
Pac-10 foes know junior has a reputation for tough defense
By Robert Weber
Emeratd Sports Reporter
Certain athletes earn the distinction of being
somebody that people hate to play against but
would love to have on their side. Mindue Adams
is quickly becoming such an athlete.
Adams, a li-foot junior middle blocker, is earn
ing this type of reputation with her all-out aggres
sive style and well-rounded play that is making
her and the Ducks two opponents (hat nobody
looks forward to meeting
"Mindee's greatest assets ant that she's a con
sistent performer in all aspects of the game." Ore
gon Coach C.erry Gregory said. "She’s a real com
petitor who has worked very hard on her game
Adams is known throughout the conference for
her blocking ability but is showing people that
she is far from a one-dimensional player.
"Mindee's game is advanced both offensively
and defensively." Gntgory said. "She has proba
bly the quickest arm swing in the conference."
Her fellow teammates and coaches showed
their confidence in Adams earlier this season by
naming her team captain. It's a role that Adams
enjoys but doesn't dwell upon.
"Being captain is something that I enjoy but I
don't feel like I'm the ultimate leader of this
team.” Adams said, "because all of the juniors
on the squad are leaders.”
"My most important job as captain is to be the
go-between for the other players and coaches."
The 1990 Ducks have sprung from the gate to a
2-1 conference record and an overall mark of lO-.’t
using a balanced attack header! by Adams and fel
low front liners Dawnn Charroin and Julie Jeffery.
Adams and the Ducks opened their season on a
high note by winning the Boise State Ijibor Day
Classic that included victories over Utah State.
Boise State. St Mary 's and Michigan
Adams garnered the tournament MVP by col
lecting 37 kills. 14 digs, nine blocks and a tour
nament-high .368 hitting percentage.
Adams was surprised by the award and was
quick to share the credit for the Ducks' fast start
with her teammates.
"The reason that we have had some success
this year is because as a team we have some great
attitudes." Adams said. "We are a hard-working
group who are determined to do what it takes to
reach the goals we set for ourselves.”
The Ducks will be severely tested throughout
the remainder of the season in the Pacific-10 Con
ference. easily the nation's toughest volleyball
ronton)nee year alter year. Dui Adams wouiun t
have it any other way.
"1 thrive on playing in the best conference
against the best teams and players,” Adams said
"1 love being an underdog because it makes us
fight harder as a team."
Fighting is something that separates the Ducks
from other conference teams.
"Schools like UCLA show up and expect to
win on their name alone.” Adams said, HOur
team is a group of real fighters and I feel that we
will In* able to surprise some teams who aren't
ready for a real fight.”
After knocking off California in thrue games
and losing to Stanford in three tough games at
McArthur Court, the Ducks revenged an earlier
defeat with a marathon five-game victory against
Oregon State. It was a match that was special to
both Adams and the team for a couple of reasons
"The win against the Heavers was big for us
not only because they had lienten tis earlier but
because of the respect we have for them as a pro
gram,” Adams said. "We know that when our
two teams meet that the team who is on top of
their game that night will walk away the win
ner.”
After starring for and graduating from Wood
bridge High School in Irvine. Cat., Adams decid
ed to continue her volleyball career at Oregon.
"I chose Oregon because when I visited F.ugenn
with my club team I loved it." Adams said "I
wanted to get out on my own and really liked the
coaches and team at Oregon."
A knee injury kept Adams out of action her
freshman year forcing her to work even harder on
her game, but Adams has never I teen one to back
down front a challenge.
On the court, she has spent countless hours try
ing to make herself the best all-around player
possible. She has spent the last two years estab
lishing herself as one of the elite blockers in the
Pac-10 and insists that the success didn't come
easy.
"I don't really have the physical attributes that
most blockers have because of my small hands,
short arms and lack of a great vertical jump.” Ad
ams said "Hut I feel my quickness, determina
tion and ability to anticipate the hit helps me
make myself successful.”
Adams' hard work has continued oil the court
as she works Inward a degree in human services
with a minor in psychology. After graduation.
Adams plans on coaching volleyball and counsel
ing at the high school level.
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