The Kansas State volleyball team has spent the majority of this non-conference season learning a vast amount about what it is capable of doing on the court. Heading into the 2009 campaign, the team was faced with the obvious challenge of replacing a productive core of four starters lost from last year's squad.
Therefore, the question concerning which of the younger members of the team would fill in that void has been hovering over the Wildcats' heads throughout the early matches so far.
But as the team begins play in the Kansas State Varney's Invitational today, the Wildcats have clearly filled one of those spots with 5-foot-8 true freshman Caitlyn Donahue.
Through six matches, Donahue has emerged as a constant member of the Wildcats rotation. She ranks third on the team with 2.16 kills per set and has proven consistent on the defensive side of the ball as well, averaging 2.12 digs per set, also ranking third on the squad.
"The role that we are asking her to do as a second-semester freshman and the level at which she is doing it right now, I am just very proud of her." K-State head coach Suzie Frtiz said Thursday.
Donahue shined during the team's appearance in the BYU Invitational earlier this season, recording a career-high 15 kills and 21 digs. Her 15th kill ended the match and secured the victory for the Wildcats in the fifth set, 15-11.
"I am confident in what I am doing out there." Donahue said. "I'm out there for a reason and the coaches believe in me, my team believes in me and I believe in myself most of all."
When recruiting Donahue out of high school, Fritz knew she had an immense amount of talent. However with the elite competition within the Big 12 conference, Donahue's smaller frame concerned Fritz.
Therefore K-State and several other schools recruited her as a defensive specialist.
However six matches into the season, it is clear that size is no limitation to what Donahue is capable of.
"We needed to find a role for her, where she could get as involved as possible in the match." Fritz said. "Ultimately, we went into it with an open mind."
The product of Blue Valley West high school in Kansas City was a highly touted recruit throughout her prep career. Regarded as one of the top players in the state of Kansas, Donahue received several honors, including the 2009 Gatorade Player of the Year.
During her college search, Donahue insisted that she stay close to home, and during the spring of her junior year, she made the decision to commit to K-State based on the program's tradition and coaching staff. While talking with the Wildcats' staff, she also made the decision to graduate early and enroll a semester early.
"Being able to compete with the team in the spring just gave me that feeling of being a part of the team." Donahue said. "They trust me and I trust them."
That extra time in the program has paid off for Donahue, too. She has had time to become immersed into the program and had time to develop individually as a player, prior to the fall workouts and rigorous non-conference portion of the schedule. That additional time has placed her in a position to emerge as a leader on the court, and it has been noticed by her teammates.
"The more you play together, the better you play," junior outside hitter JuliAnne Chisholm said. "I think it was very helpful for her."
Meanwhile, the Wildcats are inching closer to Big 12 play and with it, putting the final pieces of the puzzle together. Following the home tournament this weekend, K-State will open its conference slate on Sept. 16 against Oklahoma, beginning at 7 p.m.
