Jackie Sampson Named 'Student-Athlete of the Week'
Published 10.10.2007
Jackie Sampson, of Liberty , a graduate of Liberty High School , has been named Pennsylvania College of Technology's "Student-Athlete of the Week" for Oct. 1-7.
Sampson, a junior nursing student, stood out like a "David" among "Goliaths" during a recent volleyball tournament at Lycoming College against NCAA Division III teams and the All-Armed Forces squad.
Just 4-feet, 11-inches tall, Sampson had six kills, three aces and two blocks against Lycoming, five kills and a block against SUNY-Geneseo, one kill and three aces against the All-Armed Forces team and four kills and an ace against Mount Aloysius.
"She was completely undaunted by the fact that the ladies attempting to block her and/or hit at her were often a full foot taller. More than one coach was frustrated by the fact that his/her team could not stop this 4-foot,11-inch dynamo. Jackie walked onto the court with determination, and the other teams couldn't stop talking about how impressed they were," Lady Wildcats coach Bambi Hawkins said.
"Jackie's efforts in the tournament were not her only accomplishments. The athletic director at Penn State Schuylkill commented that he wanted her tested for "˜bionic limbs,'" Hawkins continued.
"In our match against PS Hazleton, Jackie had 10 kills and was 23 of 23 on her serves. Overall for the week, she racked up impressive and consistent stats: 26 kills andthree blocks while playing front row; and 59 of 61 for service witheight aced serves in addition to 63 digs while playing back row.
"Her energy is both endless and contagious!" Hawkins added.
Complete rosters and season schedules are available on the college's Athletics Web site.