Middle hitter Sarah Hettich coming up big for Freeport volleyball

By: HSSN Staff
Sunday, September 30, 2018 | 10:00 PM

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When Freeport’s 6-foot-3 middle hitter Sarah Hettich walks into an opposing gym, people take notice.

“When we went to East Allegheny, before the match, some of their girls came over to me and asked, ‘Coach, how tall is that girl?’ and I told them she was 6-3,” Freeport girls volleyball coach Tom Phillips said. “They were like, ‘Oh my gosh! She’s an imposing figure.’ She’s a legit 6-3, and I can honestly say she’s still growing.”

Hettich, a senior, is the tallest player Phillips ever has coached in his 17 years at Freeport and one of the few to whom he has had to look up at when speaking. She’s become a force for the Class AA No.1 and defending state champion Yellowjackets, but it wasn’t always a foregone conclusion that she would become a dominant middle hitter.

When Hettich was a freshman, she was cut from the team. Phillips said she didn’t sulk but took it as a challenge to get better.

“At that, time we had close to 35 girls that tried out, and we wanted to keep our numbers down a little bit,” Phillips said. “When she got cut, she was able to really work hard and get things straightened away. She sat down with me and asked me what she needed to do to get better. I told her it was a lot to do with footwork and balance. She got in shape, and I like where she’s at right now.”

Hettich became a sponge, soaking up as much as she could to improve. Her ability to add tools to her game helped her develop into a player who has received national attention. She was named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association 2018 Under Armour All-American watch list this fall.

“I’ve worked a lot on agility and speed, plus some stuff that’s not typically front-row stuff like passing and serving I’ve improved upon,” Hettich said.

Hettich is deciding between Wittenberg (Ohio) and Juniata for college volleyball. She was one of a dozen players from Pennsylvania named to the All-American watch list and one of just two from the WPIAL, the other being her Pittsburgh Elite club volleyball teammate and Bishop Canevin outside hitter Kylie Airesman.

“It was really cool to find out I was being acknowledged,” Hettich said. “Kylie and I are good friends from playing club together, so it was cool to see her also make the list.”

Hettich had six kills and nine blocks for Freeport (7-1, 6-0) in a 3-0 win over Deer Lakes on Tuesday. The win secured a sweep of section opponents in the first half of play. Freeport has not dropped a set against a section opponent all season.

The Yellowjackets are keeping their standard up even though a couple of key players go down with injuries. Junior outside hitter Tori Radvan suffered a knee injury in the season opener against North Allegheny and is out for the season. Haley Graham, who started at middle hitter last year in the state title game, also suffered a knee injury, but Phillips is hopeful she can return.

Mackensey Jack has moved into the rotation at outside hitter with Lauren Lampus, and Hettich and Isabella Russo have locked down the middle to complement opposite hitter Ally Dejidas.

Hettich’s ability to control the middle on offense and defense helped offset the impact of the injuries.

“When Sarah hits the ball, it’s going down,” Phillips said. “She’s powerful, and she has very good blocking ability. She can really take over a game with her blocking at the net. Isabella has followed suit with Sarah. I can honestly say they are two of the best blockers that I’ve had since I’ve been here.”

Hettich, like the rest of the hitters, is getting used to new setters in twin sisters Maddie and Sam Clark after the graduation of Courtney Grubbs. Maddie said setting Hettich is a different challenge compared to anyone else because of her size.

“It’s a little harder because, first of all, the pass has to be really good, then my set has to be good for her speed and her height,” Maddie said. “It has to be an exact height basically. It’s different from setting an outside because it’s a much faster ball.

“When she gets a really good kill, it’s not only exciting for her, but it’s exciting for me, too.”

The pair developed a better rapport as the season wore on, and they like where their chemistry is.

“Anytime a middle (hitter) and a new setter get together, it takes time to work on getting comfortable,” Hettich said. “Maddie and I struggled a little bit at first, but we’re getting a good connection now.”

Jerin Steele is a freelance writer.

Tags: Freeport