Kelly Cochran has played in all 99 games this season, but coach Randy Litchfield can't think of a memorable moment that stands out in those games.
That's because Cochran is one of the most consistent offensive players Litchfield has seen during his 17 years with the Ball State University women's volleyball team.
"I just know I've sat on the bench, and there's been numerous late-game situations where Kelly's the one putting the ball on the floor for us," Litchfield said. "There's probably been some spectacular [moments], but she's consistently doing it."
Cochran enters this weekend's Mid-American Conference Tournament with the team's second leading kills per game average (3.55) and third best digs per game average (3.51). Throughout her career, Cochran has only missed 10 games and has started in all but four matches.
JUMPING TO NEW HEIGHTS
The junior outside attacker hasn't been successful because she towers over the competition. Instead, she's developed a vertical jump that is the best on the team. Cochran reaches 7 feet 4 inches and has jumped 9 feet 11.5 inches, for a vertical of 31.5 inches, which is the highest on the team.
"I think fans in general really take to her because she's the undersized kid who's making it big," Litchfield said. "It's always fun to watch someone who's 5-7ish, 5-8 with her volleyball shoes on, who can, on match night, touch the rim easy."
Cochran said she feels that she's at a huge disadvantage sometimes. For example, she has seen 6-foot-3-inch Rachel Refenes block a ball without even jumping.
"It's always been my strength because it kind of has to be," Cochran said. "I lack the height area, so it's kind of like what makes up for that."
"She was born a jumper," Obras said. "She's built like a frog, as I always tell her."
Setter Angie Parrell said the rest of the team members often find themselves asking why they can't jump like Cochran.
"She's got fast muscles or something," Parrell said.
STAYING CONSISTENT
Cochran's consistency as a performer during practice has made it easier for her to take that consistency into match night, Litchfield said. That's also something he hopes Cochran can teach younger players on the team.
"She just comes into the gym and does her job day in and day out," Litchfield said. "We've got younger players that could really learn from that - that you can't take days off and expect anything on match night."
When practices start becoming relaxed, Obras said Cochran's intensity can motivate the entire team.
"She's an intense player," Obras said. "She wants to win, and she's not afraid to tell you to 'get up and get going because I'm ready to win.'"
Cochran said she stays consistent by taking a lot of repetitions in practice and simulating situations the team will likely see during matches.
"You have to step on the court and refocus every day," she said.
LEADING THE TEAM
Litchfield said that while Cochran has remained reliable every day, she's also quietly elevated her numbers. After putting down 333 kills in her freshman season, Cochran recorded 223 last season. So far this season, she has 351 kills.
"Kelly's the kind of person who I think strives for consistency rather than maybe some who enjoy the occasional big match," Litchfield said. "Kelly just seems to be there for the team just about all the time."
Parrell, who has lived with Cochran for three years, said that Cochran always gives 100 percent in everything she does.
"I think she's a very determined person in the way that she plays, in her school and just the way she lives," Parrell said.
Cochran said she has the ability to stay determined and remain consistent because of her love for the game of volleyball.
"You have to love the game if it's going to be fun," Cochran said. "If it's not fun, you're not going to have the motivation and the drive."
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