鈥淚 guess one way to describe him would be 100 percent. He鈥檚 a sheer competitor,鈥� said coach Dominick Porter.
Porter was talking about his junior captain, (Montpelier, Va./ Patrick Henry), the Royals Athlete of the Week.
Over the men鈥檚 season opening three matches, the outside hitter averaged 4.0 kills and 1.08 service aces. His most notable performance was against D-II Alderson Broaddus when he just missed his career high with 26 kills, tied his career best with five aces and set a new high with six block assists.
鈥淚t felt like a regular game,鈥� said Scott. 鈥淯sually when I go for a lot of kills it鈥檚 because there’s a weaker blocker, or that鈥檚 our setup for the game. I鈥檓 not really going for career highs every game I鈥檓 just going with the flow. If someone’s not stopping me or someone’s not stopping someone else we go to them. It鈥檚 not really me going out there trying to impress other people; it鈥檚 going out to win the game.鈥�
In his third season, Scott has become the leader he has always pushed himself to be. In his first two campaigns, he averaged the most kills on the team. Unfortunately throughout his freshman and sophomore years his game was hindered due to injuries.
During his freshman season, Scott had a fracture in his back and also a problem with the alignment of his hips.聽 The IT band is a ligament that extends from the pelvic bone to the shinbone, and during his sophomore season a misalignment there affected Scott鈥檚 ability to jump.
鈥淧reviously I liked being an outside hitter because they get more sets than anybody else, but now that鈥檚 kind of stabbing me in the back I guess,鈥� declared Scott. 鈥淭he enjoyment of getting a lot of sets has kind of dwindled out because it takes a toll on your body. Now what I enjoy most is facing the other team鈥檚 setter.聽 The setter is usually the captain and the facilitator of the hitters. I鈥檓 usually matched up with him on the right side and I like reading his game plan and getting that message across to my teammates so we know how to handle their play.鈥�
According to his coach, Scott鈥檚 volleyball IQ is an obvious improvement in his game.
鈥淗e’s a lot better at dictating the flow of the game and telling it to the teammates beside him,鈥� explained Porter. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what has developed him the most because not only can he show it but he tells his teammates on the court, 鈥楬ey you should do this better,鈥� or 鈥楾his is what you should be doing.鈥欌��
Scott鈥檚 improvement did not come unexpectedly. The men began formal practices after Thanksgiving break and during the preseason Scott worked out six to seven times a week for two to three hours.
鈥淚 feel a lot stronger,鈥� he noted, 鈥淚鈥檝e done what the chiropractor and a few of my physical training friends have told me to do.聽 I鈥檝e been doing that and working out with them, so I feel a lot better.鈥�
Perhaps playing so well is a repercussion of the new talent that the team has collected this year. With the proper chemistry, Scott believes the team is capable of accomplishing great things.
鈥淭he attitudes of the freshmen are good. They have high hopes,鈥� said Scott. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e putting in the effort to deliver in the long haul such as playoffs.聽 Once we get our chemistry down and the game starts flowing for us, we鈥檒l become a great team instead of just a talented team.鈥�
Undoubtedly a team player, Brigham brings great leadership and contagious energy to the team.
鈥淚鈥檓 not really worried about achievements or if people recognize me or not,鈥� he explained. 鈥淚鈥檓 just here to do my job.聽 I would say my job is to figure out a way to win the game and lead the way to that win.鈥�