Volleyball: Difference Maker – Mandi Gavin

Eric Narcisse, The Adverrtiser, September 26, 2012

As a child, every athlete at one time or another has dreamed of one day scoring a touchdown, making a last-second shot, coming up with a big hit and or scoring a goal that would win the game for his or her team.

Although she wasn’t any different with her childhood dreams from any other athlete, Mandi Gavin later separated herself with a much more defined dream that saw her being a difference maker instead of a one-hit wonder.

After agreeing to accept the challenge offered by UL head coach Heather Mazeitis-Fontenot to help make the Ragin’ Cajuns volleyball program one that the school, community and Sun Belt Conference could be proud of, Gavin’s dream of being a difference maker has come true.

"All I’ve ever wanted to do was help to change a program," said Gavin, who will lead the Ragin’ Cajuns against the nation’s No. 23-ranked Western Kentucky Hilltoppers on Friday at 7 p.m. "I wanted to go somewhere that would allow me the opportunity to make a difference and coach Mazeitis allowed me to do that here at UL. I have helped to make that difference here and I’m extremely thankful to have had the chance."

In the four years prior to Gavin’s arrival, the Cajuns’ program were dismissal as they compiled a record of 25-90 overall and 15-60 in conference.

Since the arrival of the 6-2 senior setter from Arlington, Texas, the Cajuns are 49-66 overall, 17-35 in conference and qualified for the Sun Belt Conference Tournament in 2010.

"I told Mandi, who is the only player I’ve ever had to commit to me on her visit, that we were going to turn this thing around," Mazeitis-Fontenot said. "She has definitely been an instrumental part of this program’s turnaround."

Through 17 matches this season, Gavin has recorded 76 kills, 590 assists, 26 aces, 136 digs and 34 blocks (8 solo, 26 assists) en route to leading the Ragin’ Cajuns to a 9-8 overall record and 1-1 in conference.

Gavin, who was a Preseason All-Conference Sun Belt selection prior to the start of this season, has had a stellar career with the Cajuns in which she is closing in on becoming the fourth player in the program’s history to record 3,000 career assists. Gavin has 2,774 career assists leaving her 226 shy the mark.

"We recruited Mandi as a setter, but her freshman year she didn’t set because we already had a setter," Mazeitis-Fontenot said. "To know that she’s going to be in the Top 5 of our program’s history for career assists in only three years is amazing. It’s a testament to how talented and how hard Mandi’s worked to get where she is."

Gavin stated working hard to make sure her teammates and the program have the opportunity to enjoy success is more than worth it.

"I’m my biggest critic," Gavin said. "On the volleyball court, I’m a perfectionist. The most difficult thing about being me is that I want to live up to the expectations that people have for me. I feel like when things aren’t going right for us it’s my fault, because I’m the setter. I have goals for my team and I know that I’ve been recognized with honors in my career, but without team success it all means nothing."

Besides her obvious ability, it’s that team first mentality that has established Gavin as the cornerstone of the Ragin’ Cajuns’ turnaround.

"Mandi’s a great leader who never complains," Mazeitis-Fontenot said. "Her competitive drive and competitive fire on a daily basis has raised the level of our play in practice. It’s sad when I think about that this is her last year with us. It’s sad in terms of the type of person she is. She is just quality person who has brought so much to this program. She’s going to be missed."

Follow assistant sports editor Eric Narcisse on Twitter @tdanarcisse