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Sessa's potential finally paying off
By JOHN C. COTEY © St. Petersburg Times, published October 5, 2000 NEW PORT RICHEY -- Jen Sessa not only leads Ridgewood in blocks and consistency, she leads in nicknames handed down by coach Marlyn Bavetta. At one time or another this season, Sessa has been referred to as: "Gentle Giant," a reference to the 6-foot-1 senior's soothing leadership, often in contrast to the other Rams' jittery-under-pressure nature. "Monster," a reference to Sessa's hitting power. "The Dominator," Bavetta's favorite, used to describe Sessa after a heady and, well, dominant performance, of which there have been a handful this year. "Lady in Waiting," referring to her years of playing in the shadows of more-publicized teammates. Give Bavetta time, and she'll likely come up with others. Sessa's surprising play has been arguably the biggest part of Ridgewood's 13-4 start, making her deserving of her coach's accolades. "I love the kid," Bavetta said. "She's a good ball player. No ... make that a good person." Sessa has always been a good person, but until this year had never been a particularly good volleyball player. She wasn't terrible, but her primary sport was basketball, where she has teamed with Alayna Sherwood the past two years to lead the Rams to their most successful seasons. On the volleyball court, she was a big body who had her moments. For Sessa, those moments were too few and far between. So she did something about it. "I don't know, I guess I was just sick of being the one with potential," Sessa said. "I kept hearing "she has the potential, she has the potential,' but I wasn't going anywhere. I finally started to work at it and started going to camps." Sessa was a seasonal athlete until then. During volleyball season, she played volleyball. During basketball season, she played basketball. During the summer, she did nothing. All that has changed, and changed Sessa. After a summer of playing AAU basketball and club volleyball with the North Bay Juniors, Sessa is coming into her own. "It definitely made me a much better player," said Sessa, a middle hitter. "I'm surprised by how well I'm doing this year. I really wish I did get a jump start on it (as a freshman). I've never had a lot of confidence. I never thought that I was a good player. But enough people have been preaching it to me that I realized I can do this. Then it hit me." Though not the most athletic of the Rams, she is the strongest. Her hard hits have led to 70 kills, and her presence at the net has accounted for 60 blocks. That much Bavetta knew before the season started -- after all, those are numbers expected of a six-footer. What has been the most pleasant surprise for Bavetta is Sessa's serving, which is second-best on the team behind Tara Pagliaro, and defense. Sessa has 24 aces and is serving at 84 percent, and combined with her newfound intensity on defense ("I dive for balls now"), she no longer needs to be rotated out of the game. "Last year I would take her out; I really don't have to this year," Bavetta said. "She's more aggressive. "Two years, she never got the ball over the net with her serve. Now this year she's put 92 of 109 over. And I'm not talking just bloops, she's nailing them." Sessa has emerged as a potential two-sport athlete for college. Though the interest, primarily from Division II schools, is greatest for her basketball skills (9.4 points and 7.6 rebounds a game last season), her improved volleyball game should spark additional interest. "Two years ago I would have said she could play basketball in college," Bavetta said. "Now she could be a two-sport athlete."
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