Photo by Mike Dorsey

From desert to Beach for Snyder

Imagine the girl next door. Now imagine her serving you a fresh helping of volleyball right smack in your face. Jenn Snyder has just entered the kitchen.

The 20-year-old Cal State Long Beach junior has been a big contributor to the 49ers' thirty-plus win season, and was selected to the All-Big West Conference tournament team. Earlier this season, Snyder was dubbed Big West Player of the Week.

Snyder could have come to the Beach directly out of Independence High School, where she earned four letters in volleyball (and one in basketball), but instead chose to attend Arizona State, which was near her home in Glendale, Ariz.

Snyder and ASU just were not a good fit, so after two years, the 6-foot-2-inch outside hitter headed west.

While citing good things about the "Valley of the Sun," Snyder admits to being stolen by the Golden State's user-friendly climate.

"I want to stay," she said. "I like it a lot here, because of the weather, and the fact that there is so much to do. You never run out of options."

Snyder is glad about her decision to make the move.

"It's a really pretty campus," Snyder said. "I also like the smaller number of students than ASU, (where) there were classes with four hundred students. It was ridiculous."

Sadly, since professional volleyball has not caught on in the United States, Snyder may have to choose between remaining in California and extending her career.

"That's a decision I'll have to make later on," Snyder said.

Snyder has been playing organized volleyball since her junior year in high school, and will keep the game in her life as long as she enjoys it.

"I'd like to play professionally," Snyder said. "If not, I'd like to coach."

Perhaps her coaching style would be similar to that utilized by CSULB coach Brian Gimmillaro, whom she cites as a major influence.

"I'm still learning," Snyder said. "He's helped me out on and off the court."

Gimmillaro said that a coaching opportunity might come for a person with Snyder's characteristics.

"Anytime a sport's not easy for a person, but she puts a great amount of time into it," Gimmillaro said. "The best coaches come out of that."

Even if there is no volleyball in Snyder's future, the game has already helped her on her career path by eliminating tuition worries for her.

"I didn't know how I was going to pay for college," she said.

A less positive individual might not have returned to volleyball after having blown out a knee, which Snyder did while in high school.

"I was determined to come back better and stronger," she said.

At CSULB, she has impressed a number of people associated with the program.

"Jenn is the type of player we've always been successful with here," Gimmillaro said.

"She brings a physical quality -- spiking and blocking," assistant coach Debbie Green said. "We were very excited to have her come to our team."

"She adds a lot to the team," teammate Benishe Dillard said. "She's a big block on the left side. "The other teams usually have smaller players."

Dillard, a sophomore middle blocker, also discussed Snyder's attitude.

"She's really competitive," Dillard said, "like a fighter."

When the U.S. Olympic team came to The Pyramid for an Oct. 8 match, Snyder was wearing black and gold; the next time such a meeting occurs, she may be wearing different colors.

"It's always been a dream of mine," Snyder said. "And now, if things keep progressing the way they are, I may be able to achieve turning it into a goal."

As for the match against the Olympians, which the 49ers lost in three games: "It was a good experience for us."

The fun factor is an important one for Snyder, who says she will walk away from the game if it diminishes too much. However, she is well aware of the need for a balance between having fun and working hard.

"They go hand in hand," Snyder said. " You won't have fun if you're not working hard."