Southpaw Aggie gives team advantage
There is no definite calculation as to what percentage of the world’s population is left-handed. The number is small, though, and Utah State opposite side hitter Mari Ruddick just happens to be one of them.
Because she is a southpaw, Ruddick has had to adjust to learning playing techniques a different way.
“It’s just kind of harder to learn because everyone else is right-handed,” she said. “You have to reverse the image. Growing up I was always goofy-footed because all my coaches would show me the right-footed approach and then be like ‘OK, do it backwards.'”
It was frustrating, but worthwhile.
Ruddick earned second-team all-conference honors as a senior at Canyon High School in Canyon Country, Calif., leading her team to the second round of the state playoffs.
As a high school senior she recorded 209 kills, 56 blocks and 27 service aces while hitting .399.
Her success on the court has only continued at Utah State.
She has played in every match this season, her best performance coming at the Montana State Tournament. Ruddick recorded a balanced six kills, nine digs and seven assists in USU’s 3-2 loss against Montana State.
She was also important for the Aggies in the Big West Conference opener at Cal State Northridge on Sept. 18 where she recorded 14 kills, one dig and three blocks in Utah State’s 3-1 victory.
Having someone who is left-handed playing on the right side gives Utah State an extra advantage.
“She gets a lot of kills when [Andrea Delsigne] passes,” said senior middle blocker Erin Cartwright. “She just dumps the ball. She gets a lot of kills because she is left-handed and she has that over the other team. It’s a really big thing for her that she is left-handed.
“She brings a lot to the team. Blocking-wise she is great, but also, if you look at it, she puts away balls at key times of the match. She brings a lot of fire. When she blocks a ball she gets really excited. She is just really fun to have on the court,” she said.
Her close friendships with her teammates could explain why she has transitioned so quickly to the college ranks.
Although she said she was nervous to start the season, field trips to places around Northern Utah such as Bear Lake and the Golden Spike historical site in Promontory, as well as a trip to Hawaii for a tournament, helped Ruddick bond quickly with the other players.
“I still make little stupid mistakes [on the court], but I feel happy with who I play with,” she said. “They make me feel comfortable.”
Ruddick does the same for the rest of the team as well. Cartwright said Ruddick has a really positive attitude that will make her a huge threat down the road.
-juag@cc.usu.edu