| | Lantern File Photo | | With Danielle Meyer, pictured, graduating, Ohio State women's volleyball named sophomores Ashley Hughes and Chelsea Noble captains. |
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Team captain.
The words inspire images of leadership and motivation, driving others to succeed and setting the tone for the group with hard work and determination.
Nobody said this role has to be filled by a decorated senior with four years of experience, though.
The Ohio State women's volleyball team will try to prove this notion heading into the 2008 season. Ashley Hughes and Chelsea Noble, both sophomores, have been named captains of the squad.
"We are probably the only program in the nation that has two sophomores as captains," head coach Geoff Carlston said. "But the reality is they are two of our most experienced players on the team."
Hughes has played two years at OSU, seeing action in 17 matches. Noble sat out the 2007 season after transferring from Tennessee, where she played in 63 matches.
It is not as if Noble and Hughes were named captains over a group of older players. After losing three seniors, including All-American Danielle Meyer from last year's team, the group will be very young when it starts the season Aug. 29 in the Sports Imports Classic. The players, however, do not see this as a negative.
"I'm not worried about the lack of experience," freshman Betsy Hone said. "I feel this year's team is closer and there is more team chemistry and team unity."
With the loss of the three seniors, more players will see chances to contribute immediately.
"I think we are all very eager to prove ourselves," freshman Katie Dull said. "We are very excited to work hard and get on the court."
The players are not the only ones relatively new to the OSU program. Coach Carlston was named head coach just this year. Why did the new coach select Hughes and Noble as team captains for his first year at OSU?
"Part of it came from just watching those two in practice and part of it came from feedback by the team when we talked about leadership," Carlston said.
Noble and Hughes may be young, but they have an impressive work ethic and drive that an inexperienced team needs.
"Chelsea and Ashley both reflect day in and day out what we need to be doing both inside and outside the gym," Carlston said.
This type of effort is not lost on the other players.
"When they step on the floor, I know without a doubt that they are going to give nothing but their absolute best," Dull said.
The Buckeyes finished last year 13-16 overall and 7-13 in the Big Ten. With Noble and Hughes leading the way, they look to have a more successful season in the conference.
"As a team, we're young and we are going to take pride in that," Carlston said.
After last year's disappointing season and with a new coach and new captains, the young Buckeyes might be just where they want to be.
"The rest of the Big Ten teams will not expect us to do well," Hone said. "We might come up and surprise some teams."
Scott Polacek can be reached at polacek.3@osu.edu.
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