Posted by: Bill Buchalter -
October 2, 2015
April
Jackson is studying biology at Rollins College, not advanced
math, so she should be excused if the numbers can be a bit
mind-boggling at times.
Even if she is the one who compiled them.
As a volleyball setter at The Geneva School in Winter Park and
now with the Tars, Jackson has amassed more than 5,000 assists.
More than 2,000 of those - 2,357, to be precise - have been while
the senior has worn a Tars jersey.
"It's an exciting number to hear,'' Jackson said. "It's been a
long time coming, that number, I guess.''
Rollins' record book removes the guesswork.
As the Tars (1-10, 0-3 Sunshine State Conference) hit the road
for conference matches Friday night at Nova Southeastern and
Saturday at Lynn, Jackson ranks eighth all time at the private
college in Winter Park in assists. With more than half the season
remaining, it's conceivable the 5-foot-9 Jackson could eclipse Lane
Tougaw (2,566) for fourth place by the time her collegiate career
ends.
April
Jackson, who played at the Geneva School and is a senior on
Rollins' women's volleyball team, has more than 5,000 assists
during her career.
Tougaw played for the Tars from 1999 to 2002. Lacey Marlarky
(2005-08) holds the Rollins record with 5,273 assists.
"Almost every play we make, we rely on [Jackson's] leadership,''
Tars interim coach Robbie
Rowe said. "Almost every day and every practice, she keeps us
on focus.''
No Rollins player has benefited more this season from Jackson's
ability to put teammates into a good scoring position than
sophomore outside hitter Bri
Civiero (Bishop Moore).
"We have good communications," said Civiero, who leads the Tars
with 128 kills. "I tell her where I would like to get the ball, and
she gets it to me. She knows how to get the ball to where it is
most comfortable for me."
Jackson always has been comfortable playing setter. That's not
surprising, considering she was influenced by two cousins who
played college volleyball: Joanna Chambers at Auburn and Kimberly
Fredrick at Tampa.
Guess what position they played?
"They did it, so why not me?" said Jackson, who has 206 assists
in 2015 - one behind MaryEllen
Pole for the team lead.
Of Jackson's assists, more than 3,000 - a school record - came
at Geneva. And if her statistics while playing for the Orlando
Volleyball Academy were included, just think how many assists she
would have.
That number would be truly staggering.
Like a ball on a Roulette wheel, there's no telling where
Jackson's final tally for assists will land.
"Time has definitely flown by, the fastest four years of my
life,'' she said. "Hopefully, I have added something to the team,
to encourage my teammates in some way. That's what I try to be, an
'encourager' to everyone else on the team to help us play better
and give them the confidence to score the points that we
need.''
She has succeeded, proving that she is pretty good with big
numbers after all.
