Weaver's 'guns' cocked and loaded

By Lyndsey Shinoda
Daily Forty-Niner

Her 6-foot-2 frame casts an intimidating shadow from across the net. Opponents cringe when the ball is set to junior middle blocker Cheryl Weaver, as she rifles down kill after lethal kill.

Carrying arguably the most powerful gun in the Big West Conference, Weaver leads the league in kills with 218, while her average of 4.64 kills per game ranks second in the conference.

"People describe me as not that nice at first because on the court, I'm really intense," Weaver said. "I'm not a mean, tall giant, I'm just a regular person."

Weaver said she uses her reputation to her advantage.

"Cheryl's intimidating because you can see her head over the net. Opponents are like, 'oh s**t!,'" teammate Tayyiba Haneef said. "I'm glad she's on my team."

Growing up in Washington, D.C., Weaver showcased her athleticism by playing basketball and running track. Her mother was the volleyball coach at her high school, Sidwell Friends Prep, which is why she started playing in the first place. Her older sister also played volleyball for Clark University in Atlanta.

Weaver remembers the moment she decided she had to play for Long Beach State, when she was a 17-year-old in high school.

"The minute I saw Long Beach play against Hawaii, I knew I had to come here," Weaver said. "No one else had that kind of work ethic."

Since arriving at LBSU, Weaver has made a definite impact. She was just named as the Big West Conference Player of the Week (Nov. 6) for her 5.0 kills, 2.4 digs, .406 hitting percentage, and 0.8 block effort in last week's games against Boise State and Utah State.

The humble player said she takes her position on the team very seriously.

"I know that everyone has a role. Mine is to put the ball down, block balls and lead by example," Weaver said. "I expect it of myself."

Weaver said her biggest role models are her mom and her sister.

"They have done so much for me, and given me so much," Weaver explained. "They are what I'd like to be like when I'm older."

Weaver has one more season of eligibility. She is a business/marketing major but is unsure of what path she will take after college. Her ultimate goal is to be in the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

"I didn't know I was going to be good, I never really believed people that said that," Weaver said. "I never thought I'd be an All-American by my sophomore year, I've learned so much here."

Off the court, Weaver said she is a homebody who likes to sleep, relax and watch movies.

Despite all of the bumps and bruises suffered this season, Weaver said she is confident of her team's chances in the postseason. She was a part of the 1998 NCAA Championship team and would like to be there again.

"'98 was unreal. Once you've been there, you want nothing else," Weaver said. "Everyone believes we can still do it. We are strong and healthy and ready to fight."

With Weaver leading the way, anything is possible.

Marten Lewerth/Daily Forty-Niner

All-American middle blocker Cheryl Weaver.