Medic hard at work as bench player

Marina Medic does not start for the Salukis, but head volleyball coach Brenda Winkeler said the team’s energy and work ethic starts with the senior.

Medic, a middle blocker, has been a key contributor off the bench for the 17-7 Salukis and Winkeler said Medic is one of the hardest workers on the team.

“Marina is one of the biggest competitors that we have,” Winkeler said. “She’s making sure we are always competing; she is a kid who always works hard for us. She is always in early to practice and is just a big contributor to our team.”

Winkeler said Medic raises the intensity of the players around her by always competing hard. Winkeler said Medic’s 11-kill performance against Indiana State was essential in SIU winning that match 3-1.

“Even when she isn’t in a match, she will raise her play in practice,” Winkeler said. “She just helps us by being a competitor. It’s good to have someone like that on the team.”

Winkeler said Medic’s play in her sophomore season was a prime display of her work ethic.
In her sophomore season, Medic averaged 2.55 kills per set, totaling 268 kills on the season and played in 31 matches for the Salukis. It was the last season SIU made the Missouri Valley Conference tournament.

Fellow senior and middle blocker Chandra Roberson said Medic should have been given more credit for her sophomore season.

“She had an amazing year,” Roberson said. “I made second team all conference, and she should have made it too. She was a great player, ever since then she has been working hard. She comes in early every day and motivates me and pushes me.”

Roberson said as a middle blocker, Medic helps her improve on her game.

“Marina helps me out every day,” Roberson said. “I am so glad that she is on the team.”

Medic isn’t only helping out her fellow middle blocker. Junior outside hitter Jennifer Berwanger said Medic helps lead the team.

“She really helps to lead the team by example,” Berwanger said. “She is always working hard and never takes it easy in practice. I think she has instilled some work ethic into some of our younger players.”

Berwanger said Medic’s sophomore season was important to her as a player because she was able to experience the MVC tournament early in her college career, making her hungry for more.

Medic said her main priority is to make her starters better.

“I just try to help; right now I am not a starter, I try to help out everyone I can,” Medic said. “As a practice player, my role is to make the starters better and I feel I do that.”

Medic said she helps the starters by telling the players where to hit, working hardand improving her own play to push her teammates in practice.

“I need to be ready whenever I am needed,” Medic said. “I can make the team better if I am able to get off the bench and make some noise.”

Medic has 37 kills and is averaging 1.32 kills per set this season. Medic has played in 17 matches this year and has started seven.

Medic said she is not concerned about her individual statistics and just wants the team to win in her senior year.

“It would be amazing if we could get a fourth seed for the MVC tournament,” Medic said. “I hope we get in and show the Valley just how good we can be.”

The SIU volleyball team plays Wichita State at 7 p.m. on Friday at Davies Gym.

Derek Robbins can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 269