Senior defensive specialist Cassie Gilford exemplifies hard work and an attitude that shows she has what it takes to be a leader.
Oct. 19, 2006
Fresno, Calif. -
If you want something you have to go and get it. Senior defensive specialist Cassie Gilford exemplifies hard work and an attitude that shows she has what it takes to compete at the Division I level.
Gilford was not recruited to play volleyball at Fresno State but walked on with an attitude that she was right person for the job. After playing two years of volleyball at San Jose City College and sitting out a semester in athletics Gilford decided to pick up Equestrian at Fresno State.
"I was in school here for a year before I started playing volleyball and actually played on the Equestrian team. My roommate of who I had never met before was on the equestrian team," said Gilford. "I was going crazy because that was my first year I wasn't on a team. I couldn't motivate myself to workout."
Gilford played Equestrian for a season and excelled. "I had never ridden a horse before and I won a blue ribbon in an exhibition competition," said Gilford.
After realizing Equestrian wasn't her passion she wanted to get back in the swing of playing volleyball. "I recruited myself here. I literally called Ruben Nieves about playing and I said I want to play at Fresno State. He took my information down and told me to come in for a tryout." After Nieves evaluated Gilford's mental and physical capabilities he told her to come back in the fall.
Gilford who has appeared in 49 games this year has tallied 135 digs and four service aces. With senior libero Cheryl Selenak out with an injury, Gilford will now move into her respected position.
"In that position you are under a lot of pressure but I am up for the challenge. We are going to miss Cheryl because she is a great libero," said Gilford. "It's going to be tough to fill her shoes."
"She is a great all around person. She is academically smart, outgoing, has goals and direction in life," said Selenak. Selenak who played in 52 games tallied 232 total digs and averaged 4.46 a game.
With her senior year of volleyball, Gilford has plans of a bright future in which she intends to achieve her masters or attend culinary school. With hard work and the right attitude Gilford will breed success.
Fresno State will continue conference play against No. 22 New Mexico State on Thursday at 7 p.m. and Louisiana Tech on Saturday at 2 p.m. in the Save Mart Center.
You can catch Cassie Gilford and the Bulldogs on Comcast (channel 14) and on WAC.tv against No. 22 New Mexico State. You also can check out the Bulldogs on WAC.tv at 2 p.m. against Louisiana Tech.
