Janelle Currey, Freshman Outside

Hitter, Women’s Volleyball

After enduring one of its worst seasons in recent memory, the Sac State volleyball team feels it is getting back to its winning ways, thanks in part to the surprise play of freshman starter Janelle Currey. Playing the position of outside hitter for the Hornets, Currey has established herself as a play maker and a significant contributor offensively and defensively.

Coach Ruben Volta said Currey is a smart player.

“She knows the game well and doesn’t make a lot of errors. She forces the other team’s defense to make plays,” he said.

She currently ranks in the top eight in the Big Sky Conference in kills with 233, points with 270.5 and digs with 238. Her emergence, combined with the strong play of senior outside hitter and team leader Desiree Hoyum, provided the Hornets with a balanced attack.

As far as Currey is concerned though, stats do not matter.

“I want to win a Big Sky Championship. If that means I have one kill or 20, it doesn’t matter. I just want to do my part in the team’s success,” she said.

Volta said the future is bright for and the Hornets as a return to Big Sky dominance could be coming sooner than expected.

Max Alvarez, Freshman Forward, Men’s Soccer

The men’s soccer team, which opened the season this year with a 3-0-1 start, owes much of that success to the play of Alvarez. He burst onto the scene this year with five goals in the first four games. Currently leading the Hornets in shots with 20 and goals with seven, Alvarez said he has adjusted well to the advanced level of play.

Proud of his early season success, the soft-spoken Alvarez is by no means content. Always looking to improve on some aspect of his game, Alvarez said:

“I’ve been able to take advantage of my opportunities but I see a lot more things I think I should be able to do for the team to win.”

Coach Michael Linenberger, who has followed Alvarez’s youth career for many years, said he has surpassed all the coaches’ expectations.

“We knew he was an incredible goal scorer as a youth player and thought he could contribute this year but the jump to college takes a while sometimes. Max has adjusted quickly and has become our go-to guy,” he said.

Already listed as a marked man by opposing defenses, this fabulous freshman has made an immediate impact on the field and he is only just beginning to realize his full-potential. Alvarez looks to lead the Hornets to victory the rest of the season.

Linenberger hopes Alvarez can lift Sac State into the playoffs.

Alvarez said he wants to keep scoring goals.

Sam McCowan, Freshman Running Back, Football

Despite a 1-3 start for the Hornets to start the season, head coach Marshall Sperbeck said McCowan has emerged as bright spot on the team and a big play threat every time he gets the ball.

McCowan said that he spent a lot of time in the off-season preparing for this year’s transition to the intensity of college football.

He said his work ethic is extremely important to him in order to be successful.

“I’m young so the coaches don’t really know everything I can do yet. I have to work harder to prove myself and show them what I got,” he said.

McCowan said taking advantage of playing time has been a key element to his success so far this season. He leads the team with three rushing touchdowns and he is averaging 30.6 yards per kickoff return. In the home opener against Eastern Washington, McCowan returned a kickoff for 75 yards which led to a touchdown pass from Jason Smith to wide receiver Brandyn Reed two plays later.

Sperbeck said it is hard to find enough minutes for everybody to play in a game but McCowan has shown that he can be a special player.

“He runs hard and has the ability to make big plays for us,” Sperbeck said.

Stamati Horiates can be reached at [email protected]