Drushal's Defensive Prowess Best Statistically in Div. III

Ali Drushal entertained thoughts of attending other schools, despite a strong family history with The College of Wooster, and create her own identity, instead of following in the footsteps of her grandpa, former president of the College, J. Garber Drushal (1967-77), and big brother, Rick Drushal, a three-time All-American football player for the Fighting Scots and Academic All-American®, as well as her parents. After just five semesters, it's safe to say the junior volleyball/ track & field standout has made her own niche at Wooster, highlighted by leading all of NCAA Div. III in digs this past fall.

"I was looking to go anywhere but Wooster to breakaway from the family mold," reflected Drushal about her college decision. "The former head coach (Terri Mason) was a family friend and I had known her a long time. So, without my parents' knowing, I applied early decision to Wooster, and was accepted, and I guess the rest is history."

That history started for Drushal, who also chose Wooster because it's a small college where she can be a student first and an athlete second, with her splitting duties as a defensive specialist with a senior teammate. Drushal's skills that helped lead nearby West Holmes High School to the state tourney all four years caught up quickly to the college game, as halfway through her freshman season, she had taken over as the Scots' full-time libero on a team that went 25-7 – the most wins for the program since 1984.

With a year of experience under her belt, Drushal had a breakout sophomore season. Statistically, she broke the College record for digs in a season with 888 and her average of 8.22 per game led the league and ranked No. 3 in Div. III. Those numbers propelled her to become the first Wooster player to be voted North Coast Athletic Conference Libero of the Year (the award has existed since 2003), in addition to second-team all-conference honors. The team's record, however, slipped to 14-16, due in large part to an injury to its best offensive player.

This past off-season brought about a coaching change for the Scot volleyball program, as Mason decided to pursue other career interests and Sarah Davis was hired. The returning players took everything in stride for the most part, however, the rest of the conference thought Wooster would struggle, not necessarily because of a new coach but due to the graduation of two all-NCAC players, as the Scots were picked to come in sixth in the preseason poll. Drushal disagreed.

"I knew we were going to be better than people thought. We just had too much talent coming back, and with a new coach, she brought a different type of aura to the program as a whole," she said.

With Drushal leading the way from her spot on the back row, Wooster proved its doubters wrong, finishing third in the NCAC (10-4) and with a winning overall record of 15-14 while facing one of the most challenging schedules the program has ever faced.

Drushal racked up big numbers and awards again, topping the nation in digs at 8.09 per game. Her total of 874, the second-most in team history behind her sophomore mark, included an NCAA Div. III record for a four-game match with 56 against Ohio Wesleyan University on Oct. 2. Unfortunately, though, it only stood for four days as a player from Central College upped the record to 60. Noteworthy, Drushal had another 50-dig four-game match in the second meeting with Ohio Wesleyan on Oct. 24.

What makes those statistics all the more impressive is that the opposition tries to avoid her.

"Other coaches in the conference have recognized her outstanding play," remarked Davis. "One of the best compliments is that opponents have told me their game plans included serving and hitting the ball away from her."

Drushal, who also gained notoriety this year by serving a 17-0 run against Allegheny College Oct. 16 –  the eighth-longest run in Div. III history (since the adoption of the 30-point scoring system) – repeated as NCAC Libero of the Year in 2007 and moved up the ladder as one of six on the All-NCAC First Team. It's the first time the Libero of the Year has made first-team all-conference.

"Her ability to read the opponents' hitters and anticipate where she needs to be to dig a ball makes her one of the best defensive players in the country," Davis added. "Switching to a defense where Ali can be on the end line surveying the whole court gave her the freedom to read the play and get to the ball. She's going to get to the ball, sometimes it isn't picture perfect. In fact, sometimes it's pretty ugly and she'd admit that, but she's going to find a way to keep it in play ... and that's what is important."

With still one season yet to play in her volleyball career, Drushal is already the school's all-time leader in digs with 2,309 for her career. She will likely become the NCAC leader in that category, needing just 381 more, and could become just the sixth player in Div. III history to reach 3,000 for a career. Those numbers, nor leading the nation in digs per game, matter much to Drushal.

"I've never really been a stat person from an individual standpoint," she explained. "I had no idea that I was even in the top-five in the country in digs per game let alone sitting at No. 1. I really try and focus on the team's successes and making sure the team is better each and every day."

Drushal has little time to rest after competing on the volleyball court, as she is now in full preparation mode for her third season with the track & field team. The first two years have resulted in six all-NCAC certificates (top-three finishes at NCAC Championship meets), while competing in the hurdles, javelin, and pole vault individually as well as on several relay teams. Her most significant accomplishment was winning the indoor pole vault title at the 2007 NCAC Championships, clearing a height of 10 feet, 8 inches, and she has posted top marks of 117 feet in the javelin and 1:07.45 in the 400-meter hurdles.

Following this spring semester, Drushal has a very busy summer in store, which will revolve primarily around her senior independent study. A geology major, albeit by accident, as she quipped, "I needed a class and it was the only one open," Drushal plans on studying two active volcanoes and insulate movements in Naples, Italy. She's also already looking at life beyond Wooster and may begin to fill out applications for graduate school.