Yuchen Du, freshman physical education major from Beijing, China, primarily came to Emporia State to get an education, but she also came to set and hit for the Lady Hornets.

“As a freshman, her maturity of the game helps our young team to improve the consistency part of the game,” said Bing Xu, head volleyball coach. “We are very glad she decided to join our program.”

Du started playing volleyball in Beijing at 10 years old, and did not expect to find herself on the other side of the globe. Her former assistant coach, Jiangping Wang, was visiting China and a former teammate recommended that Wang recruit Du to play for the Hornets.

“My dream is to be a teacher,” Du said. “That is honestly why I came, I also love volleyball.”

In addition to the stress of being a student athlete, Du must also spend extra time practicing her English.

“The time management is difficult, both take your time,” Du said. “You spend your time thinking ‘Which is more important, volleyball or academics?’ Because I don’t know the language very well, I have to focus more on the academic side.”

As Du learns to manage her time, she has a support system here at ESU to encourage her.

“The coaches are helpful and create goals to help me improve myself about life on and off the court,” Du said. “My teammates also love each other, we spend a lot of time together and are good friends.”

DU has become a leader in technique on the court in her first year at ESU.  

“She (Du) brings not only firepower as a hitter but excellent decision-making skills as a setter,” said Emma Dixon, sophomore accounting major. “She reads the game very well and is extremely good at executing when plays need to be made.”

The Lady Hornets will play at 8 p.m. this Saturday, Oct. 28 at home.  They will take on the University of Nebraska Kearney.  At 4 p.m. the following day, Oct. 29, they will take on Fort Hays State University.  Both games will be held in White Auditorium.