Small player comes up tall

  Platte Valley outside hitter/libero Hannah Paden is small in stature -- listed generously on the team's roster as 5-feet-7. But there's nothing small about the sophomore's game.

Paden knows how to come up with big plays in big matches, and she did just that for the Broncos (5-2, 9-5) in their 3-2 Class 3A Patriot League East win over Roosevelt (5-2, 7-7) Thursday in Johnstown.

"Hannah did a great job because she played tough and aggressive," Platte Valley head coach Brianne Smith said of the diminutive Paden's strong performance. She tells her "when the score's tight, don't be afraid to be aggressive."

Paden had plenty of opportunities Thursday to answer her coach's call to be aggressive in tight games.

The match went a full five games and in the decisive final three games, the Broncos slid by the Rough Riders by a combined score of 67-65.

"This was one of my better games," said Paden who finished with team highs of 16 kills and four aces. "I wasn't the only person on that team that led us, but I played well."

Paden said she doesn't let her 5-foot-5-inch frame hold her back when she's on the volleyball court. Paden said her lack of height doesn't put her at a disadvantage, even when starring across the net at girls 4 or 5 inches taller than her; her solid athleticism, an impressive vertical leap and a relentless will to win, allows her to play bigger than she actually is.

"I feel really big when I get out there," she said.

Smith said Paden has the ability to provide big problems for any opponent that underestimates her because of her small stature.

"She's deceiving because she's small," Smith said. "Small but mighty."

Smith said Paden and her fellow sophomores will have to develop a knack for providing big contributions in big games.

With four sophomores and no juniors on the varsity roster, Smith said Paden and the rest of the sophomores will be asked to develop into leaders capable of carrying the Broncos' volleyball program next year.

"Next year when they're juniors, they'll have to step up and be 'seniors' before it's their time really," Smith said.

Smith said Paden has already begun to show signs of a take-charge attitude, exerting herself during critical moments of games and taking on a big role despite being a couple years younger than many of her teammates. Five of the squad's nine players are seniors.

"She's just starting to find her role on the team," Smith said of Paden. "Being a young player on a team with a lot of seniors can be tough."

Paden said she knows that now is the time to start stepping up, knowing this time next year; she's going to be asked to assume a leadership role on a volleyball program with consistently high expectations. Paden said she knows it'll be a big challenge for her and her fellow sophomores, but the pint-sized Paden said she has no problem taking on big challenges.

"We have big shoes to live up to," Paden said. "But I think we can do it."

By Bobby Fernandez,

Back to Research Articles