 "Photo: Peter Franklin/The Daily Texan")
It doesn’t take long for opponents to notice the unique character of freshman Sha’Dare McNeal’s serves.
She begins her serve several feet behind the norm, makes a running charge, jumps slightly and spanks the ball without rotation. The racing knuckleball that ensues is often difficult for the defense to handle. Two weeks ago, McNeal led the nation’s freshmen in services aces per set, and she ranks second among freshmen in the Big 12 Conference.
“I think the way that I serve the ball gives me an advantage,” said McNeal. “I have a different style, and it probably throws people off when they see it.”
McNeal’s unique style generates velocity behind her serves, and the result is a hybrid between the power serves of Destinee Hooker and the fluttering serves of Ashley Engle.
Not long ago, McNeal was a sprinter at Fallbrook High School in San Diego, and the faster-paced style of college volleyball hasn’t had an affect on her.
“The speed of the game is different, but not having my parents around is probably the biggest change,” McNeal said.
Like any freshman, McNeal has felt a bit homesick 1,300 miles away from San Diego’s beaches. McNeal’s parents have made the trip to Austin three times this season to see her play, and whenever they can’t be there, her father, Darrell, who was in the military for 21 years, watches the games online.
“My dad has always pushed me to play hard and try my best, and my mom has always been there to make sure I’m happy,” McNeal said. “I usually make sure to talk to them three times a day because it makes me feel close to home.”
As the No. 5 nationally ranked recruit of 2009 by PrepVolleyball.com, McNeal was coveted by elite schools all over the country.
That’s one of many things she has in common with junior outside hitter Juliann Faucette - both were highly recruited players out of San Diego.
“Juliann has been like a big sister to me, helping me every step of the way,” McNeal said. “She’s definitely someone I look up to.”
Faucette, who exploded onto the scene as a freshman in 2007, said McNeal has made a splash for the undefeated, second-ranked Longhorns.
“Every day in practice, she comes in here with a determination that she’s going to get better, and, as a freshman, you have to have that mentality if you want to get on the court,” said Faucette. “She’s grown a lot, and I’m really excited to see where she goes over the course of the rest of the season.”
Head coach Jerritt Elliott has taken notice of McNeal’s stellar play and has considered moving McNeal into the starting lineup for previous games but that she has been most productive in the substitution role.
“I told Sha’Dare in a meeting the other day, I don’t know how I’m keeping her off floor,” Elliott said. “She does so many good things for us, coming off the bench, and that’s where her numbers have been best.”
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