MSU volleyball standout Erin Hartley experienced firsthand the attention that comes with achieving a lifelong dream.
Sporting the red, white and blue of the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team, Hartley was surrounded by a group of children eager for her autograph.
The special moment came after the U.S. team defeated Tianjin, China, 3-0 in an exhibition match Thursday at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids. The match was one of three Hartley participated in as she pursues her dream of becoming a U.S. Olympian.
“It’s something I haven’t experienced before at MSU,” Hartley said. “The fans were much louder and more excited.
“I had like 30 kids running at me screaming. It really means a lot to me.”
Although Hartley saw limited action in the team’s April tour, she was satisfied with her debut performance.
“It was just a blast,” Hartley said. “I was really excited and glad that I could contribute at the end of the game.
“I had so much adrenaline going into the game. I loved it.”
In January, Hartley, who held a 3.58 grade-point average, had to make a difficult decision: start pursuing her dream or earn her degree.
She chose to take 16 credits and graduate with a degree in elementary education. Academics always has been important to the three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree.
“It was tough,” Hartley said. “Because I knew that these girls would be going out there and training, and that they would have a couple months advantage over me. But I also looked at school, and school is really important for me to finish.
“I didn’t want a semester of school hanging over my head, and I was so close to graduating it seemed like it would be a big mistake.”
But Hartley will return to the national team in Colorado Springs, Colo., after her May 4 graduation.
U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team head coach Toshi Yoshida said once Hartley starts to practice with the team on a regular basis and learns the system, she has a chance to be a contributor to the team.
“She can play everything,” Yoshida said. “She’s going to be a very universal player. I like her setting. Hopefully, she can join and practice with us long enough, and she can show us her other strengths.”
At this point in her development, Yoshida said he is uncertain how best to utilize the 6-foot-3 outside hitter’s skills, but setting will be involved.
“Right now, right side,” Yoshida said. “I told her one time I want her to learn how to set. So it could be setter. Actually, if she plays right side, she has to learn how to set.
“Her role would be rather big. It depends upon the system that I’m going to use.”
Hartley was the primary weapon for the MSU volleyball team, leading the squad with 412 kills, 3.96 per game, while hitting .337 for the season.
Playing setter was never an option as a Spartan, but Hartley did finish second on the team with .64 assists per game last season.
MSU assistant volleyball coach Todd Dagenais, who also serves as an assistant for the U.S. team, said although Hartley played outside hitter at MSU, becoming a full-time setter wouldn’t be a stretch.
“One of the ironic things about Erin is at Michigan State, (head coach) Chuck Erbe trained her as a setter her whole career, even though she played right side,” Dagenais said. “And that’s attractive to the national team, to have a tall hitter that can set from time to time.
“As long as she puts in the training and the work and the development, she has a very bright future with U.S.A. Volleyball.”
