A Closer Look at Lady Bison Jerri Hayes

Before my current writing life, there was The Hilltop, Howard University’s and the Nation’s Oldest Black Collegiate Newspaper, where many of the questions and themes I still explore first found their voice. What follows are my early published works, preserved in their original form.

From The Hilltop Archives

Originally published in The Hilltop, Howard University — October 22nd, 2002

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A Closer Look at Lady Bison Jerri Hayes

To the untrained eye, it appears as though the entire volleyball team is plagued by injury. After their evening practices, you will often see some players in the training room sitting on training tables removing tape from their knees, ankles, and various other joints that need to be protected. These are routine procedures that must be done to protect them from injury.

 

One player in particular has her right foot submerged in a slush bucket, a tub of ice water that is athletes' post-game treatment for swollen or sore limbs. Amid the MASH unit sits Jerri Hayes, a junior radiation therapy major from Charlotte, N.C., the team's middle blocker and leader in blocks this season with 67.

 

Hayes began her pursuit of volleyball in the sixth grade and has been playing ever since. Unlike most athletes who alternate between two or three sports, Hayes has maintained her loyalty to volleyball and not necessarily just for her love of the game. 

 

It is the relationships, the team chemistry that makes participating that much more enjoyable,. that fulfill Hayes.

 

"We live together, we play together, we see each other all the time," Hayes said. "If I didn't get along with my teammates, I wouldn't love the game as much."

 

Apart from the motivation she receives from her teammates, Hayes has a special bond with her coach as well.

 

Like many other coaches at Howard, volleyball head coach Linda Spencer recruits heavily every year. The only exception was the 2000 volleyball season when Hayes was the only freshman. 

 

"I am the only junior, the only real junior. I came in by myself," Hayes said. 

 

Spencer, who not only has the interest of her players on the court but off it as well, played a key role in helping Hayes settle in the Howard community and begin her collegiate career. 

 

During the early part of the season, while practicing two times a day, Hayes was affected by a family tragedy. Spencer and the rest of the team were very supportive during her tough time and it only made their bond stronger.

 

"She's like our mom away from home," Hayes said.

 

Hayes admits that she sees a big difference in her performance and attitude from last year compared to this year. Unlike last season, Hayes wants to be aggressive and become a major role player on the team. 

 

Though she still has one more year of eligibility left, Hayes has a number of goals and aspirations. 

 

"I want to stay aggressive, perfect my blocks as well as my hits, and I want to be named to an All-Conference team," Hayes said.

 

She is achieving her goal of getting her blocks under control and her kills are well on their way. She in currently second on the team in kills with 117, behind freshman outside hitter Mercedes Posey. 

 

Unlike a lot of athletes, Hayes is a mellow person. While other players get hyped on the bus (or prior to the game) with Lil Jon or Pastor Troy, Hayes prefers to chill out to some Santana. 

 

The locker room and the court are two different stages for her. After the team prayer, that is when she makes her transformation.

"I try to get myself in the game by yelling and being really energetic," Hayes said. "As far as in the game, I talk to myself a lot. I try to keep myself focused."