Craven remains humble

Sophomore volleyball player Whitney Craven took a moment to remember just how many times she’d been on the All-American and All-tournament teams.

She laughed as she tried to count them all up. The final tally was eight years on All-American and four times on All-tournament teams.

While Craven may not keep up with her awards, coach Joe Getzin does and is quite proud of his young star. He said she is one of the most decorated volleyball players in AAU history.

But Craven is not out for awards and recognition.

“It’s not about that for me,” she said. “I wouldn’t be able to do that without my team.”

The team is really what Craven is all about. The Louisville, Ky. native said her decision to come to Ole Miss was due in large part to the girls on the team and her ability to meld with them effortlessly.

“Ole Miss has a beautiful campus, but you can find a pretty campus anywhere,” Craven said. “I really loved the team. They are just awesome.”

Getzin was another factor in her decision to become Rebel. While Craven believes her high school career was outstanding, she chose to play for Getzin because of his different coaching style.

“Coach took a direction my high school coach didn’t, and I liked it,” she said.

Getzin’s different direction definitely paid off for him. While she is just a sophomore, Craven’s experience is a major contributing factor to the success of the Lady Rebels volleyball team, her coach said.

“Whitney brings a wealth of knowledge to the team,” Getzin said.

But Craven was adamant that without her team she would not be able to do anything. Everything she gained was with the support of her teammates and their positive attitudes.

Craven has faith in her team and their ability to succeed this upcoming season. Almost beating Florida last season has boosted the confidence of the team, she said.

“Knowing we could beat them and play on that level was great,” Craven said. “And we’ve improved from last season. There is no doubt in my mind we can’t win the West this year.”

The court isn’t the only place Whitney excels. She not only made the SEC All-Freshman team, but she made the SEC Freshman Academic Honor Roll. Craven explained that her dedication to Ole Miss is full time.

“It’s an honor to go here, so I work hard,” she said. “It keeps me disciplined.”

Many of her teammates also made academic honor rolls. According to Getzin, the volleyball team has maintained a 3.2 GPA for the past five years.

“The success in the classroom really speaks to the character of the kids,” Getzin said.

Whitney, an exercise science major, said that after college she might enjoy helping out with a kid’s volleyball team, but she does not want to become a full-time coach. Although she dominates on the volleyball court, Whitney’s desire for her future requires more gentleness.

“I want to work with babies,” she said. “I want to go home and go to nursing school.”