Kelly Morrisroe has seen freshmen hit a wall in October before. The Syracuse assistant coach said it is the time of the year when rookie players show their inexperience and ‘play like freshmen.’

With nine freshmen on the Orange roster this season, the young players have struggled at times. But after 12 kills against a skilled Marquette team this weekend at the Women’s Building, freshman outside hitter Andrea Fisher is anything but slumping.

‘You always get a little bit worried about your freshmen, especially in mid-October — the mid-year slump is what they call it,’ Morrisroe said. ‘But (Fisher’s) playing well.’

Fisher has emerged as a consistent presence on the court for the Orange, appearing in 21 games this season and notching double-digit kills in 10 of them. Her production is a breath of fresh air for Morrisroe, who said Fisher is one of the constants on an inconsistent freshman-filled roster this season. The outside hitter is second on the team with 196 kills and 2.45 kills per set.

That production was on display Saturday when the Orange lost to Marquette.

Fisher was the team’s most viable offensive threat in the loss. On multiple plays, she sent her team-best spike shot into the heart of the Golden Eagles defense, ricocheting off Marquette’s accomplished middle blocker, Danielle Carlson, for a point.

Although the team couldn’t pull out an upset victory, Fisher’s 12 kills were impressive. For a team struggling to pinpoint its offensive identity, her spike stands out.

But it’s her consistency that keeps her on the court of the Orange.

‘I just need to play how I’m playing,’ Fisher said. ‘It’s never a guarantee.’

Fisher’s consistency can be attributed partly to her international experience.

After competing in the Canadian National Championships, the Burlington, Ontario, native signed with SU alongside club volleyball teammate Nicolette Serratore. Fisher was MVP for Team Ontario, leading it to the National Team Cup Challenge Championship.

That experience also fine-tuned Fisher’s offensive repertoire, which she has used to lead SU this season.

Against Cornell, she amassed 18 kills. She also showcased an improving defensive game, digging 16 balls and blocking two more shots.

In another early nonconference matchup, Fisher proved to coaches that she deserved playing time. Tied in the first set 6-6, the Saints had no answer for Fisher’s high-rising spike. At one point, Fisher split Siena defenders by expertly placing a kill near the left sideline, behind outside hitter Jacqueline Skeen, but in front of libero Lesli Akeo.

Fisher notched her 14th and final kill in the third and final set by dropping a shot over the outstretched arms of the spike-assuming Skeen. Instead of shooting into the block, the freshman made a veteran move and shot around it.

Syracuse never trailed by more than four points for the rest of the match. And while Noemie Lefebvre took home MVP honors of the Big Orange Tournament for her play, Fisher was the outside hitter who improved the most.

Still, Fisher won’t take her playing time for granted.

‘It gives me some confidence (being a staple in the lineup),’ Fisher said. ‘But I can’t stop working because of that. It’s never a guarantee.’

After watching Fisher spike balls off Marquette players in that first set, Lefebvre is just happy to have a teammate ‘in the front row’ that can attack defenses.

‘It’s still good that she can play so consistent even at this point in the season because sometimes it gets a little harder physically,’ Lefebvre said. ‘But she’s able to step it up and give us a great offense.’

Morrisroe hopes Fisher, an outlier in her theory of October-slumping freshman, will continue to step up on the court. Her production has been refreshing for a young team stuck in the middle of the pack in the Big East.

‘It’s awesome and very refreshing to see that from a freshman,’ Morrisroe said. ‘It’s great.’

nctoney@syr.edu

Published on October 16, 2011 at 12:00 pm

Contact Nick: nctoney@syr.edu | @nicktoneytweets