The Observer, September 15, 2006
Volume XXXIX, Issue 3
Colleen Martin renews her passion for volleyball
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Two-sport athletes at Case are rare. Two sport leaders who also star in the role of team jokester are even rarer. That is why the volleyball and women's basketball teams are so lucky to have Colleen Martin star on both Spartan teams. Martin is a special individual who can manage two sports, a social life, academics at Case, and strong family ties.
Having grown up in the West Side suburb of Rocky River and attended Magnificat High School, Martin began her high school career as a two-sport star, but after her sophomore year, she dropped out of volleyball to focus on hoops.
"I felt that basketball was a priority at the time, so I concentrated all of my time on one sport to maximize my abilities there," Martin said.
Coming to Case as a basketball recruit, Martin spent her first year supplementing a team of veterans and stepping up when injuries slowed down the team. The Spartans lost an upperclassman for the last half of the season, and Martin joined the starting lineup. She is expected to return there this year for the 2006 season. Before that can happen, however, she has returned to the volleyball court to follow a passion left idle for four years.
The Spartan volleyball team had a void in the middle hitter position, which was coincidentally the position Martin had played at the junior varsity level in high school. She first rekindled her fire for the sport upon participating in workouts with the team while training for basketball. After further discussions with both of her coaches, Karen Farrell (volleyball) and Jacki Windon (basketball), she decided to give volleyball another try.
"I have always had a very supportive family," Martin said. "They have always wanted two things: for me to be happy and [to be] the best that I can be. So they understood completely my decision to play both sports."
That desire to be the best may have started with her family but carries through with this second-year management student. Martin openly admits her competitive edge. Whether it is being the team leader in kills or offensive rebounds, Colleen makes a point to lead on the court for her teammates. That, as well as a laid-back attitude that tends to lighten the mood of practices and workouts, gains her respect from fellow players.
The wonderful contrast is part of what makes Martin an exceptional leader and player for Case. As a person who acknowledges the importance of laughter in her life, she believes that if you are not having fun, then there must be a problem. Martin's extensive background on the court has payback for the women's volleyball team. Farrell has been impressed with her ability.
"She has the potential to dominate a game," Farrell said. "Colleen is naturally very athletic and has quick reflexes, great agility and good jumping ability. Right now she is playing volleyball more like a power forward than a finesse player, but as she gets more repetitions and more experience in volleyball, she will develop into a well-rounded player."
With aspirations of working for a professional sports organization, Martin has the ability and personality to succeed. When asked which teammates she prefers, her simple response points to whichever group is going out that night. Her ensuing laughter promises that either squad would be lucky to consider Martin a teammate and a friend.
