Back in high school, MSU volleyball freshman setter Maggie Griffin was the girl who got pegged with the nickname "Jolly."

As in, the Jolly Green Giant.

At 6 foot, Griffin was easily the tallest girl in school, but she didn't mind the nickname - it was being tall that helped her play the game she loved so much.

In her first season at MSU, Griffin already has proven her worth as a powerhouse on the court, despite being a rookie to college sports, head coach Chuck Erbe said.

"She's a special player," Erbe said. "The thing I like about her the most is she is humble about it.

"You would never know that she is at the level she is at, and she also plays in such a manner that you would never guess this was a true freshman on the floor."

The school record for career assists was set by former setter Nikki Colson, who posted 4,563 assists between 2000 and 2003. At about halfway through her first season, Griffin has already posted 723 assists, averaging 12.25 assists per game.

She has started in all 59 games that the Spartans have played this year, more than any other player on the team.

But being a part of the collegiate level of play has brought some challenges for Griffin.

"It's completely different," she said. "Everything is bigger, everything is faster."

In particular, watching film of the Spartans' games has been a learning experience, she said.

"It's strange - you can only watch yourself," Griffin said. "If you're arguing with the coach, you can watch the film and see what you're really doing."

Despite the changes, Griffin said it hasn't been difficult adjusting. MSU was a "good fit" because of her chance to play as a freshman and because of the players involved in the program, she said.

Her consistency has earned a nod from junior middle Brooke Langston.

Griffin's performance has been especially impressive because of the difficulty of the setter position, Langston said.

"She's very solid," Langston said. "She's really filling the shoes and more of what we needed to fill."

Fellow freshman middle Meghan Schoen said Griffin has strong leadership abilities on the court, which is crucial in the setter position.

"She stays calm under pressure and performs consistently," Schoen said.

Erbe said Griffin has found frustrations with having to fill such a leadership role while the team is struggling.

But freshman outside hitter Katie Johnson said Griffin's attitude, as well as her talent, makes her successful.

Johnson also noted the positive relationship between Griffin and junior setter Mickey Davis as a way Griffin has continued her improvement during the season.

"Every day, I just watch her in awe," Johnson said. "She's so good, but she knows that she has to get better every day and she works hard at it."

Ironically, Griffin didn't want to play volleyball when her parents pushed her to do it in fourth grade.

Now, she can't imagine her life without the sport.

"I don't know what I would do if I didn't play volleyball," Griffin said.

"It's not who I am, but it's a big part."