Colorado University Athletics
Austin's Senior Leadership Lifts CU Volleyball Team
October 29, 2015 | Volleyball
BOULDER — Colorado volleyball standout Alexis Austin does not have an underdog story. With regional and national recognition dating back to 2011, she plays with the confidence of an elite offensive force, and despite some adversity in 2014, has yet to truly falter in her contributions from CU's attack line.
Along with fellow senior Nicole Edelman, Austin leads a freshman cohort that makes up a third of the 2015 squad. But fresh feet on the court have not seemed to be a challenge, because when it comes to leadership, Austin's style mixes favorably with the young eyes watching.
“I'm a leader by action more than I am by voice,” she said. “The team chemistry is actually the best it's ever been since I've been here and it's been a blast because we understand each other a little and we've become very honest with one another a little more.”
Austin cites selfish play as the biggest roadblock during matches, and as long as the Buffs avoid that pitfall, they have the potential to win any match. The Buffs are 5-5 at this point in the conference schedule, and although Austin currently leads her team in kills with 327, the team's combined 1,028 assists have been surprisingly well spread out along the net. Gabby Simpson has killed her fair share of sets with 285, and underclassmen Anna Pfefferle and Naghede Abu have both passed the 100-kill mark.
“I'm not really a vocal leader, but I will be if I have to,” Austin said. “I have a tendency of saying things that my teammates probably don't want to hear. I feel that we've established the team we want to be and can be; now we just have to execute our team dynamic and the game plans against each team as we play them for the second time.”
With 10 more tough Pac-12 matches left through Nov. 27, Austin's off-court health is of high priority, and might just be one of the secrets to her consistent success. After missing playing time at the beginning of her junior season, she prefers to trade more reps at the net for more minutes in the training room.
“I spend a lot of time in the training room ice bathing, cold-tubbing, doing thermo-stem, and ultrasound on all of my main body parts that are hurting,” she said. “I'm also a little more limited from other players from jumping throughout the week just to make sure I'm not over-using my body and can be a little more prepared for both games each weekend.”
The strategy works. Austin averages about four kills per set, and with the Buffs having taken 13 of their 22 matches beyond three sets, that metric is harder to maintain.
Austin also credits some of her success to her veteran status and a little bit of faith.
“Honestly, whenever we're playing good blocking teams, or if I'm put in tough situations, I automatically gain confidence,” she said. “…Since it is my senior year, I have gained enough confidence to be able to trust what I have learned in my four years here. And another one of my secrets when I'm put in tough situations is to trust the Lord … it works for me and calms my nerves tremendously.”
Head coach Liz Kritza echoes Austin's assertion that her veteran position on the team is integral to Colorado's success. Earlier in the season, she said Austin “has put the work in throughout the offseason to keep herself healthy and to elevate her game to a truly elite level”, and we are seeing it now.
Regardless of the reason, Austin's continued success as a Buff and a senior comes down to one simple fact: she loves the game of volleyball.
“I definitely cherish the moments of stepping onto the court with my team for battle every single day.”
The Buffs play back-to-back matches this weekend, with a 7 p.m. match Friday vs. Oregon State at the Coors Events Center, followed by a 7 p.m. match Saturday vs. Oregon.
