Thurman comes alive, aides in successful season

By FAITH MOLDAN

Bigfork Eagle

She'll be back.

A junior at Bigfork High School, Roxanne "The Thurmanator" Thurman, made her mark in the Northwest A conference and was a standout for the Vals.

Thurman, who said she's not sure who gave her the nickname, switched from middle hitter to outside hitter at the start of this season, but then switched back to middle and let her play on the court do the talking. The BHS student section wasn't shy about chiming in and doing some talking either this season, as every time Thurman recorded a kill, block or ace the BHS fans let the other team know that they had been "Thurmanated."

"She came alive at middle hitter," Bigfork coach Kelsey Jensen said of Thurman. Jensen moved Thurman to middle hitter at the Missoula Invitational where she put up numerous blocks against AA schools and was hitting hard. During the two-day tournament, Thurman recorded five aces, 49 kills, two set assists, 12 blocks and 64 digs.

After the Vals' season ended, they voted on awards for their teammates. Thurman walked away with the Warrior Award and, according to Jensen, she received quite a few votes for the team leader award as well. Jensen summed up the criteria for the Warrior Award as having heart, hustle and giving 110 percent in everything.

"Her teammates see her competitive spirit," Jensen said. "Anything we're doing she gives 110 percent. She does whatever is needed."

Thurman, who has being playing volleyball since about fifth grade, said she would like to stay at the middle hitter position.

"It's more of what I'm used to. I like it. I wouldn't mind staying there," she said. "You get a lot of blocks."

Thurman led the Vals in hitting twice this season. She recorded 11 kills against Polson and eight kills when Bigfork played Libby.

The switch from outside hitter back to middle hitter was due in part to injuries the Vals suffered throughout the season. Though switching lineups and rotations during the majority of the season is usually difficult, the Vals played through and took third place at the Northwest A Divisional Tournament this year.

"It was good that we were able to transition and do as well as we did," Thurman said.

A new coach was added into the mix for the Vals as well this season, and Thurman said things were ran a little bit differently but that the Vals just seemed to click this season.

"We executed a lot better together," she said.

The Vals' new coach, Jensen, added that Thurman and all the girls were "awesome" to work with and easy to work with as well, as there were no attitude problems.

"They worked hard and wanted it," Jensen said.

Thurman finished the season seventh in the conference in receiving ratio with 135 attempts. Sixty-two of those were on and 32 were off with 27 passes. She said she'd like to play volleyball somewhere after high school, but has no plans as of yet. Thurman had a season-high total of digs with 16 in the Vals' home match against Hamilton. She recorded four aces, a season-high for her, against both Whitefish and Polson.

"I have no idea what position she'll be at next year," Jensen said, but added that no matter where Thurman ends up on the court or after high school, she'll do well. "I see a lot in her."