Standing on the sidelines, you can see a lot about a team.
During an ASU volleyball game, sophomore middle blocker Alexis Pinson does not stay on the sidelines for long. Pinson is an athletic, determined blocker who hates the cold. And she is becoming a crucial part of the Sun Devils’ rotation.
Pinson does not start every game for the Sun Devils, but her attitude and skills make her a huge threat coming off the bench.
She prides herself on sacrificing anything for her teammates. Pinson has given up some playing time, but has also embraced her role as the “Seventh Man” of the ASU volleyball team.
“I would consider myself a very unselfish player,” Pinson said. “I’ll do whatever it takes to help my team win. So if that means starting or coming off the bench, I don’t care, I’ll do it.”
Pinson said that one of the best qualities that she brings to the Sun Devils is her energy. She said that she loses her voice a lot because of all the yelling that she does in practice and games.
Pinson prefers to bring energy back to the court when coming off the bench in a tough situation.
“I like coming into situations where the team is down and pick them up,” Pinson said.
Pinson usually rotates with other middle blockers like junior Erica Wilson and senior Sonja Markanovich. The three blockers have formed a close bond and help each other on and off the court.
While Pinson observes from the bench, she often reveals to her teammates different areas they can attack that they can’t see while on the court.
“We help each other all the time,” Pinson said. “Whenever we are coming off we’re saying, ‘Hey, this spot’s open, they’re releasing on that block or watch out for her.’”
After one practice Pinson sat down with and assistant coach and watched more film to see where she needed to improve. Coach Jason Watson admires her work ethic.
“She worked really hard this summer,” Watson said. “I think that hard work has paid off for her. She’s earned everything that she’s gotten.”
Pinson said that her parents instilled her work ethic. Both of her parents have always had full-time jobs, which motivated to work harder. Her father is a firefighter and her mother works as a flight attendant.
She also said that her drive comes from competing her whole life. The former Xavier College Preparatory star had to work for every position she ever had, from club teams to college.
“A position has never once been handed to me,” Pinson said. “I’ve always had to work for my position so I thrive on that competition. If there is no competition in practice, it bores me.”
Pinson is almost halfway through her tenure at ASU and is proud of where she is now. She said there is always room to improve, and wants to expand her defensive skills and her blocking.
Since she will be an upperclassman soon, Pinson also said that she is assuming more of a leadership role. Because she has become more comfortable with the system, coaches she said that she has become more vocal.
Watson said that Pinson has received more playing time as the season has gone on. With her strong work ethic it will no surprise if she becomes a stable starter in the future. For now, Pinson makes a large impact for the Sun Devils as their “Seventh Man.”
Reach the reporter at ehubbard@asu.edu
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