Spring Break
The Daily OrangeVB | Dommestrup among all-time assist leaders in SU history
By Laura Parquette
Posted: 10/21/05, 1:43 AM EST Section: Sports
Syracuse senior Aila Dommestrup hasn't done much sitting in her career with the Orange volleyball team.
Dommestrup played in at least 30 matches in all three of her completed seasons, including all 33 matches her sophomore year. Heading into this weekend's three-game road trip at Central Connecticut, Connecticut and St. John's, Dommestrup played in all but one Orange match this season.
"Aila is our senior captain," head coach Jing Pu said. "She's comfortable running the offense, and that's very important for our team."
One of five talented seniors who have propelled the Orange to a 16-7 overall record (5-2 Big East), Dommestrup leads the team with 853 assists on the year, an astounding 11.53 per game. Her 3,573 career assists make Dommestrup just the fourth player in SU history to surpass the 3,000 assist mark. Her career 9.4 assists per game average places her behind only Norreen Carroll (1998-01) in SU history.
Dommestrup is anything but casual and passive when she steps on the hardwood, as opposed to off the court. She doesn't consider herself a vocal leader, but tries to inspire and help her teammates through hard work.
"I know I'm not the best volleyball player there is, so I just try my hardest," Dommestrup said. "I hope other girls follow that example."
Pu does, too. Calling Dommestrup a "positive influence," Pu said her focus is what helps push the team, making sure they get the job done successfully.
Dommestrup already knows a thing or two about success. Before earning Big East honorable mention last season, Dommestrup was most valuable player of her high school team for three straight years, as well as MVP of her club team for two years. She also played for the Ontario Provincial team, which took silver at the 2001 Canadian Summer Games.
Dommestrup hopes she can continue that success with the Orange this season. Her favorite memory from her career was last year's Big East tournament appearance. The Orange was picked in the preseason to finish ninth in conference, but finished tied for second. Although their tournament play was somewhat disappointing, Dommestrup said the experience was one she hopes to repeat.
If she continues to play like she has this season - and all her career - that goal is very possible.
"Aila is a unique talent," Pu said. "Her serving, her timing at the net, her blocking and jousting skills, she's a special talent. Any time she goes for a ball, she has an 80-percent or greater chance of winning it. She's naturally talented, but most important, she makes the right decisions."
Dommestrup played in at least 30 matches in all three of her completed seasons, including all 33 matches her sophomore year. Heading into this weekend's three-game road trip at Central Connecticut, Connecticut and St. John's, Dommestrup played in all but one Orange match this season.
"Aila is our senior captain," head coach Jing Pu said. "She's comfortable running the offense, and that's very important for our team."
One of five talented seniors who have propelled the Orange to a 16-7 overall record (5-2 Big East), Dommestrup leads the team with 853 assists on the year, an astounding 11.53 per game. Her 3,573 career assists make Dommestrup just the fourth player in SU history to surpass the 3,000 assist mark. Her career 9.4 assists per game average places her behind only Norreen Carroll (1998-01) in SU history.
Dommestrup is anything but casual and passive when she steps on the hardwood, as opposed to off the court. She doesn't consider herself a vocal leader, but tries to inspire and help her teammates through hard work.
"I know I'm not the best volleyball player there is, so I just try my hardest," Dommestrup said. "I hope other girls follow that example."
Pu does, too. Calling Dommestrup a "positive influence," Pu said her focus is what helps push the team, making sure they get the job done successfully.
Dommestrup already knows a thing or two about success. Before earning Big East honorable mention last season, Dommestrup was most valuable player of her high school team for three straight years, as well as MVP of her club team for two years. She also played for the Ontario Provincial team, which took silver at the 2001 Canadian Summer Games.
Dommestrup hopes she can continue that success with the Orange this season. Her favorite memory from her career was last year's Big East tournament appearance. The Orange was picked in the preseason to finish ninth in conference, but finished tied for second. Although their tournament play was somewhat disappointing, Dommestrup said the experience was one she hopes to repeat.
If she continues to play like she has this season - and all her career - that goal is very possible.
"Aila is a unique talent," Pu said. "Her serving, her timing at the net, her blocking and jousting skills, she's a special talent. Any time she goes for a ball, she has an 80-percent or greater chance of winning it. She's naturally talented, but most important, she makes the right decisions."
