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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Freshmen Making Adjustment To College Life As Season Begins
8/24/2006 | Volleyball
Every August students all across the country flood onto campuses as freshmen leave home and set out to make a path for themselves as they begin college life.
For some it’s an easier transition than others. But, for student-athletes, it can be a challenge that is all the more daunting because academic expectations are coupled with expectations of athletic greatness as well.
For Jessica Dalke and Caitlin Weiss, freshman on the Ole Miss volleyball team, the change from the life of a high school athlete to the life of a student-athlete on the collegiate level has been a sudden one, but one they both embrace.
The athletic demands have been one that both have experienced already as the team began preseason practice almost two weeks ago.
“It’s been a lot more intense, even in practices,” Weiss said. “Everything is at a higher level than I am used to, but it’s been good for me to experience. I have definitely grown as a player in just the past week or so.”
Dalke echoed that sentiment.
“It’s definitely a change from high school,” Dalke said. “There is a lot more individual work and detail work involved. I am not used to watching film and doing individual drill work in addition to team practice. We work on every little detail and I am not used to that. It’s great to work with a coaching staff that sees every little thing and works to make us better in every detail.”
Both players left the bright lights of the city to come to
Dalke, a 5-9 setter who earned All-America honors, grew up on the outskirts of
The shift from a major metropolitan area has been an added adjustment, but not one that is unwelcome as both athletes have quickly grown to love the atmosphere that surrounds
“It’s really exciting to be here,” Dalke said. “I love it down here because it is a completely different atmosphere. Everyone here is so friendly. I am trying to adjust to the differences in life and just can’t wait for my first opportunity to get on the floor.”
“I love it here and am so happy to be at Ole Miss,” Weiss said. “The whole experience of playing a college sport has been awesome so far. I am used to
Despite the challenges of getting acclimated to a new environment and the rigors of college life and college athletics, the steady nature of athletics is also part of what has helped both players have a smooth transition to their new locale.
The drive to compete and the familiarity that comes with being on the volleyball court has helped each athlete find a balance and acted as sort of a refuge as they prepare for the school year and the season. Both have high expectations for the 2006 campaign and want to do whatever they can to ensure success.
“I am definitely not intimidated,” Weiss said of being on the floor in college for the first time. “I look at the season and see us being successful. We have great team unity and that is something that can take a lot of time to develop, but we have it already. I just want to help Ole Miss win. Whatever I can do to help achieve that is what is important to me.”
“I think a lot of people are going to be very surprised this year,” Dalke said of the Rebels. “I know how hard every single player on this team has worked to get better and make a difference. I think we will be a different team. I just want to earn a spot out there. It will be amazing to get to play with a group of girls who want success so bad and work together for that common goal.”
And in the end, it’s that common admiration and a desire to achieve a common goal that has drawn the two freshmen together like sisters.
“Jessica is an awesome person and we get along well,” Weiss said. “We are opposites because she is intense and loud all the time, while I am a quiet player with my intensity. We are both used to playing big, but we’re helping each other through the transition of being the new kids on the team. She’s really helped me and coached me through things with what she sees as a setter.”
“Caitlin is so quiet but has so much talent,” Dalke said of her teammate. “Off the court she is quiet, but watching her on the court is like watching an explosion because of her talent and quickness at outside hitter. She will be an awesome player for Ole Miss, and I look forward to four years with her.”
