PINE GROVE, Pa. (September 12, 2011) – In the classroom and during her job as a tour guide for Herr's Snack Factory, she answers to Nicole Brumbley (Oxford, PA/Oxford), a member of the Kutztown University women's volleyball squad. However, everywhere else – the volleyball court, beach, grocery store and even at home – Brumbley responds to Maggie, a name affectionately bestowed upon her during preseason camp last year.
So is it Nicole or Maggie?
There may be some debate over whether to call her Nicole or Maggie, but there is no arguing the talent of the sophomore outside hitter. No matter the name, Brumbley has plenty of game. Brumbley finished with a team-high four blocks to help the Golden Bears defeat Albright College, 3-0, Monday night in the annual Shannon Sullivan Memorial Game at Pine Grove Middle School. Kutztown claimed the match 25-17, 25-12, 25-14, to raise its early season record to 10-1 overall.
“When I came here as a freshman, senior Erin Kissling (York, PA/Central York) didn't know my name was Nicole and she thought I looked like a Maggie, so she started calling me that,” Brumbley said. “It was the second day of preseason and everybody on the team started calling me Maggie. Coach John Gump jokes with me that he wants to change my name to Maggie on the roster. I like the name Maggie. If it was an ugly name, then it would be a different story. My mom will call me 'Maggie' from time to time, but as a joke.”
Using her 5 foot, 11 inch frame, the speech communication major, soared high to swat shots across the net. Brumbley is a big part of the Golden Bear future and she is improving with each practice. Brumbley is in a good situation because she's learning from some of the best players in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) such as Kissling, Katie Lutz (Greencastle, PA/Greencastle Antrim), and Cali Snell (York, PA/York Suburban).
In limited action as a freshman, Brumbley recorded three digs, three assists, one dig, and one block as a freshman. Her best efforts came against Cheyney on Sept. 24 where she had two kills and three assists. Brumbley is beginning to be rewarded for her patience.
“The biggest thing I've learned since I've been here was swing blocking, pressing over the net and floating over the ball when I hit,” Brumbley said. “Had a lot of things to work on when I came here because we did different things in high school. I was happy to get in the game today to show what I have learned. That was really fun.”
Kissling also had a blast for the Golden Bears as she finished with a team-high 11 kills. Lutz collected six kills and Snell had four kills. Lutz and Snell also had two blocks each for Kutztown. Junior setter Kimberlee Gomber (Washington, PA/Washington) handed out 19 assists and Lindsey Smith (Hanover, PA/Delone Catholic) ended with nine digs.
When Brumbley didn't visit the beach over the summer or spend time in the gym working on her game, she worked as a tour guide at Herr's, which was an exciting experience for her. With a pleasant personality, charming smile, and heart of gold, Brumbley was in heaven because she was surrounded by a gaggle of curious tourists.
“I got to talk to people all day long,” Brumbley said. “I was able to tell everybody whatever they wanted to know about pretzels, chips and even popcorn.”
Kutztown's schedule turns serious this weekend. The Golden Bears open PSAC action Friday, Sept. 16 when they travel to Indiana University of Pennsylvania to meet Clarion (2:30 p.m.) and IUP (7:30 p.m.).
--KU--
