BALTIMORE, Md. - Freshman middle blocker Jasmine Lougheed was named to the 2016 Kristen Dickmann Invitational All-Tournament Team representing Coppin State University, last weekend. Lougheed finished with 19 kills, on 37 attempts with only two errors. She posted a .459 hitting percentage, recorded three digs and assisted on a block during the weekend.
“It feels amazing, I honestly was not expecting anything and was not even aware that there was going to be someone named to the All-Tournament Team. So that was unexpected but an exciting surprise at the same time,” Lougheed said.
Coppin State’s volleyball team opened the 2016 season in Annapolis against Delaware, Navy and New Hampshire. CSU suffered defeats in all three matches but the young squad gained a lot of experience.
“I had an amazing experience competing in my first college tournament. Coach May has been preparing us on the court by training and conditioning us in preparation for our first game situation and I feel like she did an amazing job,” Lougheed mentioned. “I felt prepared and confident in what I was doing when I stepped onto the court thanks to her support. In addition, Brandon Kuhn, our strength and conditioning trainer has also been contributing to preparing us in our off court time.”
Second year head volleyball coach Kyetta May returned three from last season’s team and added three transfers with six freshmen completing her 2016 roster. Jasmine is a native of Ontario, Canada and is one of three international players for May. The 5 foot, 11 inch outside hitter attended Laura Secord Secondary School in St. Catharines Ontario and has made the swift transition to Baltimore, Md.
“The transition was a long lasting one, with lots of paper work since I'm an international student, but smooth because I had so much support behind me and I was joining a team that is very personable, and outgoing. The difference is the intensity of play. It really increases from high school to collegiate level volleyball. In addition the intensity of training and commitment goes up several notches. The similarities that I personally find is my love for the game and the fun of competing at a high level,” Lougheed added.
Heading into this weekend of competition at the Duquesne/Robert Morris Invitational in Pittsburgh, Pa., Lougheed currently ranks fourth in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) in hitting percentage (.459). With her fast start to her rookie campaign she looks forward to matches this weekend against Duquesne, Bucknell, Robert Morris, and St. Francis (Pa).
“I'm definitely going to make sure that I continue to work hard, and do my part and play my position to the best of my ability. In practice I hope to put more thought into each play, attempting to place balls and serves. Alongside closing blocks and limiting unforced errors such as service errors, and continue to have a good time while working hard in practice with my team and Coach May,” Lougheed ended.