The Outsider

Outside hitter Jessica Luftman foundOutside hitter Jessica Luftman foundthat volleyball isn't as popular inOutside hitter Jessica Luftman foundthat volleyball isn't as popular inthe East as in her native Arizona When Jessica Luftman, Penn's 5-foot-7 outside hitter, first arrived at Penn from her hometown of Phoenix, Az., she was startled by the lack of interest in volleyball on the East Coast. "Back home, there are volleyball billboards," Luftman said. "All girls play volleyball, and all guys play volleyball and another sport. I came here not realizing the different perspective on the sport." But despite the different atmosphere of East Coast volleyball, Luftman, now a junior, has established herself as one of the leaders on the court during her first two years with the Quakers. Last season, she led Penn with a 3.17 digs per game average (ninth best in the Ivy League), while adding 549 attacks, 161 kills and 11 service aces on the offensive end. When asked about her most memorable moment as a Penn volleyball player, Luftman, however, did not mention her individual accomplishments, but rather recalled last season's playoff victory against Cornell. "It was one of those up-and-down games, where we came through at the end," she said. "It was a great moment for our team. We had to come together and win the match." Luftman was named co-captain of the team this year, along with senior right-side hitter Karen Kinsherf. The two captains developed a plan in preseason camp emphasizing defense, communication, attitude and work ethic. "Jessica is a great all-around player, a great defensive player," Kinsherf said. "She is always focused and gives 100 percent. She also gives [her teammates] positive feedback and makes them better." Despite her success at Penn, Luftman misses her days playing for Central High School and the large student turnout that typified a home match. "It is disappointing that the turnout here is as small as it is," Luftman said. "I don't know if it is a result of the fact that it is a female sport or because it is the East Coast. I do think fans make a difference. It is the whole idea of home court advantage. It's a whole different feeling, another way to motivate yourself." Without the roaring crowd typical of Quakers football and men's basketball games, Luftman and the Penn volleyball team stays motivated by focusing on playing consistent volleyball day-in and day-out time -- and dethroning Princeton as Ivy League champion. "I'm sick of reading about Princeton in our paper," Luftman said. "I think we can beat Princeton. I don't have a doubt in my mind at all. It will take a lot of hard work, but our practices have more discipline this year. I'd rather concentrate on our own team than Princeton's." In Luftman's eyes, the Quakers' biggest strength is that each player has found a niche and accepted her role on the team. "People on the bench are often more important than the people on the court," Luftman said. "They can look at the game from an objective perspective. You can definitely feel their impact. When they are quiet, it effects how people on the court play. It is representative of a positive attitude." Nonetheless, Luftman does not believe that winning the Ivies will be an easy task. "Since my freshman year, the volleyball play in the Ivy League has changed," Luftman said. "Then there were just a few competitive teams. Now there are eight. I think people take [volleyball] more seriously now -- everyone, the coaches and the players. People prepare more for the season to come. People work really hard. I don't think people worked this hard when I got here." With her athletic defensive play and strong interpersonal skills, Luftman may just help volleyball catch on here at Penn.