Crete's Fey can do it all, but she wants to hit

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By RON POWELL / Lincoln Journal Star

Jessica Fey has what could be called a contradictory volleyball game.

It’s all about control and finesse in the back row for the 6-foot Crete senior. The 2007 second-team Class B all-state setter has the speed to chase down errant passes, the size and strength to deliver the ball accurately from any spot on the court, and soft hands that can set a hitable ball almost every time.

The control is still there when Fey gets to the front row, but the subtle skills take a back seat to pure firepower. After taking the 2007 high school season off as an attacker to set a 5-1 offense for the Cardinals, Fey has emerged as one of the top outside hitters in Class B this fall.

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Fey entered Tuesday night’s match against Norris with 129 kills and a .353 hitting efficiency. She improved those numbers by crushing 24 kills and hitting .400 in a four-set loss to the Titans. Fey buried four of those kills on or near the 10-foot line.

Fey combined the offensive onslaught with 11 assists in Crete’s 6-2 attack.

Her coach, Mary Conway, thinks Fey has the physical tools, leadership skills and mental makeup to become a high-level Division I college setter. But after spending last club season playing middle blocker for the Nebraska Volleyball Academy’s 17-and-under team, Fey has committed to Division II power Washburn to be a hitter and join former all-staters Mollie Lacy (Lincoln Pius X) and Courtney Wallman (Beatrice), who are freshmen there this season.

“Honestly, I’d rather hit, even if it’s at a smaller school,’’ Fey said. “I missed hitting last year. I don’t mind setting, I’d rather set in the back row than play defense. But it’s not what I like the most.’’

Fey’s arm swing underwent an overhaul during the club season, and those adjustments have added speed and consistency on her ball.

“I wasn’t fully extending my arm,’’ she said. “I worked and worked on reaching up and snapping over it (the ball). It’s made a huge difference.’’

Between club and high school, Fey has played everything but libero. The fact she leads the Cardinals in digs (112) makes her qualified for that position as well.

Fey was a right-side player for the Cardinals as a freshman and sophomore, giving her experience at all three net positions. That variety has paid dividends.

“Jessica’s so smart on the court,’’ Conway said. “She sees everything going on. There’s a lot of things you don’t have to teach her, she just knows them instinctively.’’

Jessica’s older sister, Ashley Fey, is a freshman middle blocker for Division I Lamar. Jessica has an offer to go to the Beaumont, Texas school as a setter, but she’s firm with her commitment to Washburn.

“I didn’t know if I could handle another three years next to her,’’ Jessica said, jokingly.

“I want to get off on my own and experience something different from my sister,’’ Jessica added in a more serious vein. “I’d rather go to a smaller school and possibly play right away than go to a big school and sit on the bench the first couple years.’’

Like her older sister, a 2008 Crete graduate, Jessica is a three-sport athlete. Jessica overcame a broken hand early in the season to average around 10 points per game as a starter last year in basketball. Jessica runs the hurdles in track like Ashley, who’s the school record-holder in the 100-meter highs.

In middle school, Jessica followed her older sister into club ball when volleyball became their passion. Jessica said the sibling rivalry between the two pushed both of them to become the best athletes they could.

“I was always scared to try new things, so I didn’t play club volleyball until a year after my sister started,’’ Jessica said. “It seemed like we competed against each other in everything we did. Like most siblings, we fought a lot, especially in sports.’’

Fey not only leads with her performance, she’s also in charge verbally. She continually offer instruction, encouragement and criticism with her teammates on the court. That’s an attribute elite setters possess, says Conway.

“Jessica has natural-born leadership skills, she likes being the boss and her teammates respond to her,’’ the Crete coach added. “She has everything you’d want in a setter.’’

Reach Ron Powell at 473-7437 or rpowell@journalstar.com.