The setter for Loyola’s volleyball team plays an essential role that requires her to have a full understanding of the game, make quick decisions and possess the ability to multi-task.

It is political science sophomore, Samantha Worsham’s job to receive the second ball in play and set it up to be hit by another player. “The passers pass to me, I set my hitters, then the hitters go in for the kill,” Worsham said.

Worsham’s parents, Steve and Debbie Worsham, were both all-American athletes in college. Her mother was a swimmer and her father played water polo. Worsham has been playing volleyball for 10 years. “I’ve played every sport under the sun: basketball, volleyball, soccer, horseback riding, karate, gymnastics, all of it,” Worsham said.

When it came time to select a college, Worsham said her mother was against her attending an in-state institution.

“She said that she wanted me to get out and see new things,” Worsham said. Living in Chicago, Worsham knew she wanted to move down south. She could either go to New Orleans and play volleyball or go to Tampa, Fla., but not play volleyball. She knew she still wanted to play, so she visited Loyola, saw the recreational center, met with team members and coaching staff. By the end of her visit, she knew Loyola was the college she wanted to attend.

“The high school I went to was known for volleyball,” Worsham said. Worsham was captain of her club volleyball team, and attended three national volleyball championships hosted by United States Volleyball club.

Even with such experience, she faced new challenges transitioning from playing high school volleyball to playing college volleyball. “The style of the game is different and it’s more competitive and intense,” Worsham said.

“A lot of people think that Volleyball is a girly sport, and that it is so easy and that frustrates me a lot because it isn’t an easy sport,” Worsham said.

Worsham said the practices are very intense, but all their hard work is paying off. “The last few tournaments we went to, we’ve gone 3-1, 4-0, so we’ve done really well,” Worsham said.

Before every game, Samantha listens to Journey’s “Only the Young” to get pumped up. Worsham admits being a setter has her under a lot of pressure, and at times can be very nerve wracking. However, it gives her a confidence boost to know she is such an important asset to the team.

“I enjoy the spotlight and I’m really lucky to be here,” Worsham said.

In her spare time, Worsham enjoys spending time with friends and lying out on the beach, but academics and practice take up most of her time. Compared to high school, Worsham said, “College is a different atmosphere. It requires more discipline, responsibility and time management. There’s a lot more work involved so it’s really hard to keep up, but I’ve been doing this since grammar school so I know how to manage my time well.”

After she finishes college, Worsham said she hopes to have a career in mainstream media as a political analyst for FOX news.

“I’ve always had a huge passion for volleyball and I enjoy politics, and just to be playing in college at an amazing school, I’m so fortunate to have that,” Worsham said.

Scott O’Brien can be reached at [email protected]