Tali Fredrickson has been playing volleyball for a long time.
Fredrickson started in the YMCA league when she was in the third grade and she hasn't stopped yet. The hours devoted to club teams and her Grand Island Central Catholic high school team added up over the years.
But that's OK with Fredrickson.
"I really love it," she said. "It can be time consuming, but it's all worth it."
It wasn't all volleyball for Fredrickson during her high school career. She was also a standout on the basketball court and in track and field as well.
Fredrickson was named to The Independent's All-Heartland Super Squad in basketball her senior season and qualified for the state track meet in four events. She qualified for state in 14 events during her high school career.
"I enjoyed both of them," Fredrickson said of basketball and track. "It was always just that volleyball was my favorite. I really had fun. I was fortunate to have so many great teammates and coaches in all my sports. I had fun doing them all."
Because of her success, Fredrickson has been named The Independent's girls athlete of the year for the 2007-2008 school year.
Fredrickson will continue playing volleyball this fall when she joins the Wayne State program. Wayne State coach Scott Kneifl can't wait to get her on his team.
"She's a great kid," Kneifl said. "She works extremely hard. She's just as dynamic a volleyball player as they come.
"She's very explosive off the floor. I'm really excited to have her be part of our team."
Fredrickson's position on the team has not yet been decided. Kneifl said she will train as both an outside hitter and a libero.
"Whatever opportunities are there, if she's good enough to attack, she's going to be playing. No doubt about it," Kneifl said. "I've watched her several times. She has a great arm swing. I think she'll be able to compete on the outside for a position. Her defensive skills and serve receive skills are great. She's going to be a great addition to our team."
Fredrickson said she'll just wait and see how things work out.
"I've never really played the libero spot," Fredrickson said. "I don't know which one I prefer or like better. I'll have to see what comes my way."
At 5-foot-7, Fredrickson may be small for an NCAA Division II outside hitter, but that doesn't faze her any.
"It doesn't really scare me," Fredrickson said. "I'm confident I can do it, wherever they need me."
Fredrickson finished her high school career on a strong note by leading the Crusaders to a 34-1 record and the Class C-2 state championship this season.
Fredrickson led GICC in kills with 354 while hitting .355. She also had 43 ace blocks and 32 ace serves this season.
It was GICC's second state title during Fredrickson's career. The Crusaders also won the C-2 state crown in 2005 and finished as runner-up in Class C-1 in 2006.
Fredrickson broke the school record for digs in a career with 1,235. She also stands second behind former Nebraska player Jenny Kropp in kills in a career with 876.
Fredrickson certainly made an early impression on Kneifl.
"I think she can make a difference right away," Kneifl said. "We were recruiting players who can come in and make a difference and she's one of them. I watched her for the last four years and I spotted her as a freshman as somebody I think the team can rely on, whatever we ask her to do, back row or all-around.
"She's played some big matches and on some really good teams. More times than not, she makes her team better."
Fredrickson is part of a strong Wayne State recruiting class that also includes Norfolk Catholic's Nicole Brungardt, Sioux City Heelan's Mindy Moody, Cambridge's Shelby Schultz and former South Dakota State setter Diedra Artz, who is transferring
Fredrickson just wants to contribute to the team.
"I hope to be playing," Fredrickson said. "My No. 1 goal is that our team is successful. We have some really good recruits coming in. It should be fun."
In the meantime, Fredrickson will be playing with the Nebraska Volleyball Academy team out of Lincoln this summer. She travels to Lincoln four times a week to practice and will be playing in a number of tournaments.
The national tournament will be the last weekend in June in Louisville, Ky.
"It's a lot of fun," Fredrickson said. "It's a lot of time, but it's fun to get to know all the girls and play at such a high level.”
