Sophomore Noemie Lefebvre came to Syracuse University for more than just volleyball. She wanted to experience a new culture, learn a new language.

In her native Terrebonne, Quebec, residents speak mainly French. The only English Lefebvre knew before her move to Syracuse was what she learned in high school classes – just enough to get by.

It was a struggle at first. At a team gathering last year, all of the players decided to play Pictionary. When it was Lefebvre’s turn, she drew the wrong picture and then could not explain what she had attempted to draw because of her lack of English skills.

Now, her favorite position to play may still be ‘outside -itter’ (she struggles with an ‘h’ at the start of words), but her accent is nearly unnoticeable.

The bilingual sophomore has made adjustments on the volleyball court, too. She has started games for the Orange at outside hitter, libero and defensive specialist while constantly switching positions in the middle of games. Her good all-around play has helped Syracuse (18-7, 7-2) get out to one of its best starts this decade.

As of Wednesday night after the team’s practice, the coaches still did not know what position Lefebvre would be playing when the Orange takes the court at Louisville today at 7 p.m. After that game, Syracuse will then head to Cincinnati for a matchup with the Bearcats on Sunday at 2 p.m.

Lefebvre’s roommate, sophomore Ashley Williams, said she has never seen her Canadian teammate really struggle on the court.

‘She never has a really bad day,’ Williams said. ‘She can have a really great day, but it’s never going to be really bad. She’s always very consistent.’

Last year, Lefebvre contributed immediately as a freshman. She started the majority of Syracuse’s games, finishing the season second on the team with 318 digs, and third with 228 kills.

This season, with some added depth, head coach Jing Pu has moved Lefebvre around much more than last year. She said she does not typically find out what position she will start at until just before matches begin. But just like her transition to English, Lefebvre has adapted.

‘Now I’m used to it. I’m getting ready for anything, any position, anywhere,’ she said. ‘Before I used to struggle a little more. Now I’m used to it, and I’m ready to play any position.’

Many of the Syracuse players have rotated around to different positions this year, but Lefebvre has been subjected to it the most. On top of starting games at three different positions, the sophomore may also switch roles in between sets.

Against South Florida earlier this month, Lefebvre started at libero, a position typically designated for the team’s strongest defensive player. At that position, though, she is not allowed to attack from above the net or block shots.

After the Orange dropped the first set against the Bulls, the coaches decided to change things up. Lefebvre took off her white libero jersey and changed into an orange uniform as the team huddled around their bench. This jersey switch officially moved Lefebvre to outside hitter, allowing her to attack and block shots.

Three sets later, Syracuse closed out the Bulls 3-1 in a confidence-boosting Big East win. Lefebvre finished the game with eight kills and led the team with 17 digs.

‘She’s an all-around player. It’s really hard to find someone who can do everything and Noemie can,’ assistant coach Carol LaMarche said. ‘She’s a lefty which brings a little something to the outside. She’s pretty much our best serve-receive passer. She’s pretty consistent. You don’t find too many players right now that do both the front row and the back row and can do it at a good level.’

But just like that ‘h’ at the start of English words, there is at least one thing LaMarche would like to see Lefebvre do a little better on the volleyball court. She wants the sophomore to be more vocal and develop into a team leader.

Current senior captain Kacie MacTavish said she has already seen Lefebvre start to lead by example.

‘I think it takes a certain type of player to be able to do all that rotating, and keep confidence as a hitter when she’s playing libero for two weeks and then comes back and is hitting,’ MacTavish said. ‘That shows her ability to stay positive and stay a leader no matter what role she is thrown into.’

zjbrown@syr.edu

Published on October 29, 2009 at 12:00 pm