Last friday, the women’s volleyball team found itself down two sets against reigning Ivy League champion Penn in its opening match of league play. No one was expecting the Tigers to come back against the defending champions.
But come back the Tigers did, in large part due to the play of sophomore outside hitter Lydia Rudnick. With her dominating performance of 26 kills and 12 digs, Rudnick’s skill on the volleyball court was on full display. But before Rudnick had ever hit the volleyball court, she hit the sand. Playing volleyball, of course.
Growing up in sunny Encinitas, Calif., Rudnick lived minutes from the beach. Both her parents played volleyball, and it was natural that she played the game from an early age.
“I started off playing beach volleyball, pretty much from when I could first walk,” Rudnick said. “I didn’t start to hear about this sport called indoor until I was 11. I miss the beach. You can always find me on the beach playing. I play every day when I’m home.”
Rudnick soon found that her skills in front of the ocean translated well to the indoors.
Her high school team, the La Costa Canyon Mavericks, won the California Division I state championship and was named the No. 1 high school team in the nation her senior year.
Sophomore middle blocker Jennifer Palmquist, who also hails from Southern California, played club volleyball against Rudnick in high school.
“After finding out we were both going to Princeton, we met each other at a club tournament,” Palmquist said. “Her team then proceeded to slaughter my team. I was so embarrassed that for the rest of club season I actively avoided her. But now, of course, she’s one of my best friends.”
The friendship and team camaraderie that the volleyball team has is very important to Rudnick, both on and off the court.
“I like how [volleyball] is a team sport, where three players touch the ball and how you have to have a good connection with your teammates,” Rudnick said. “I like having my team. All the girls on my team are like my best friends, a good group I can hang out with every day and see at practice.”
Rudnick comes into practice every day and aims to lead by example. She leads the team in attacks and averages an Ivy League-best 4.12 kills per set. Nowhere was that more evident than in the game against Penn, where she earned Ivy League Player of the Week honors.
“I absolutely adore being Lyd’s teammate,” Palmquist said. “She is definitely a player who leads by example. She has a quiet confidence about her that carries the team. She is super encouraging and always challenges me to be a better player. And nothing gives the team more momentum than when she kills the ball [from] the 10-foot line.”
Second-year head coach Jolie Ward appreciates how much Rudnick contributes to the team, both as a player and leader.
“Lydia is often the go-to player when things are needed on the court, whether she is back row or front row,” Ward said.
“She has really come into her game by expecting more from herself by wanting a faster attack and variations in her options. Her verbal leadership has also improved by providing her teammates with advice and cues to making things happen,” she added.
If the Ivy opening upset win over Penn is any indication, the Tigers can expect an exciting season in the Ancient Eight.
“We all have a common goal of winning the Ivy League,” Rudnick said.
During games, before the other team hits, the Tigers dance to a techno remix of Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline.” But though Princeton volleyball has been doing this for years, Rudnick’s teammates have another cheer that they do after her kills.
Due to her unusual affinity for the leg press machine during team weightlifting sessions, her teammates do a “Lydia Leg Press!” cheer on the sidelines every time Rudnick records a kill.
The way she has been playing so far this season, it appears “Lydia Leg Press!” cheers might be a frequent occurrence in Dillon Gymnasium this season.
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