The Long Beach State women’s volleyball team only returned seven players from last season, however one of them was the 2014 Big West Player of the Year, senior setter Jenelle Hudson.
Hudson became only the second setter in LBSU history to be named the best player of the conference. Her 1,145 total assists for an average of 10.22 per set led the way for the 49ers to go 16-0 in the conference. Her average of 31.5 assists and 11 digs in the 2014 NCAA Tournament were also good for first on the team.
This season, the San Diego native is setting the team up again averaging 10.25 assists per set for a total of 779 on the season.
Hudson took a moment to speak the Daily 49er.
When did you first pick up a volleyball?
I didn’t really start playing volleyball until middle school; I played basketball and softball. My mom played volleyball at [the University of Hawai’i], all my cousins played volleyball at Nebraska and Tennessee, all these [big schools], so I’ve kind of had [volleyball] in my family for a while. I really started playing seriously in club [volleyball] when I was in middle school and I’ve just played it ever since.
Was there a chance for you to go to your mom’s alma mater, Hawai’i?
Hawai’i? I did not want to go there at all. I think it’s a good place to vacation, but I don’t want to be stuck on an island, honestly.
What’s it like when you play against Hawai’i? Is it any different?
Playing against [my mom’s] old school is kind of, you know it’s the same coach, [Dave Shoji], that she had, so yeah, I just kind of had that “I really want to win” type of thing.
Why’d you make the decision to go to Iowa State after you graduated from high school?
Iowa State was a good experience. When I first went out there I loved it, it was a big college town and far away from home. I wanted to get away for a little bit. But , you know, things happen and I came home and now I love it [at Long Beach State].
You went from a team that went 16-0 in the conference last year, to starting from scratch on a team with many new faces this season. What’s been the biggest challenge?
Yeah it’s a completely different team. A lot of young people, or new people I would say, not so much young people. You know, Nele [Barber] and Hayley [Benson] are new, but they’re upper classmen. Them getting used to the Long Beach State style of volleyball is a huge transition, even for me when I first came here it took a while and you just have to adjust. Last year I really think I had more people who were experienced here and it really helped along.
This year, because you’re a senior and one of the few players returning from last season, you’re the leader of this team. What has been your approach to that role?
My [style] is to try to make everybody feel comfortable on the court. Trying to make them get better, make them feel comfortable and have them play as best as the can for the team.
What’s been the highest point in your career?
I have no clue.
What about winning Big West Player of the Year last season?
It was nice, I didn’t really expect it, but I would say that I’d rather have my team go all the way even if that meant I got no awards.