Maybe Lindsy Hartsock should think about changing her name to Hart-block.

The sophomore middle blocker for the BYU women’s volleyball team received her first national honor from Collegiate Volleyball Update magazine as the 2004 Blocker of the Year.

“It is always nice to get recognized,” Hartsock said. “But at the same time I think the award is owed to my teammates. We really worked together.”

According to Collegiate Volleyball Update, Hartsock was one of only three players to tally more than 200 blocks for the year. She also finished at the top of the nation in block assists.

Hartsock bumped up her average blocks per game from 1.21 blocks in 2003 to 1.86 blocks in the 2004 season. On the national level, she ranked second with a total of 205 blocks (nine solo, 196 assists).

In a news release, BYU head coach Karen Lamb said Hartsock is one of the best blockers the women’s volleyball team has ever recruited.

“Lindsy is a hard worker, and she’s smart and she is determined to get better,” Lamb said. “She’s really determined to be a great player – for herself and for the whole team.”

Hartsock’s involvement as a women’s volleyball player reached national attention her freshman year as well. In the 2003 season, she was named MWC Freshman of the Year and All-West Region Honorable Mention.

Before her 2004 season, the middle blocker set a goal to improve on her freshman year. She attributed her improvements to spending extra time in the weight room and additional help from her coaches.

“Jason Watson is the coach in charge of blocking,” Hartsock said. “He caters to each individual player to help them improve.”

Others who received honorable mentions from the magazine for blocks included Melissa Elmer from Nebraska, Lyndsey Henderson from Utah, Ivana Kuzmic from LSU and Kelli Nerison from Loyola Marymount.

Before coming to BYU, Hartsock grew up in Inkom, Idaho, where she participated in basketball, track and volleyball in high school. BYU offered Hartsock a scholarship in both basketball and volleyball, but she has certainly made a name for herself in the volleyball world – which could very easily be Lindsy Hart-block.



Copyright Brigham Young University 20 Jan 2005