Ryan's World

Photo by Pete Lacker

March 11— Ryan Maspero is one the state’s most explosive players. She is also one of the most carefree, according to Robin Gerlich, who coached her at San Antonio Churchill.

“She doesn’t worry about one thing,” says Gerlich. “Her parents met in Port Aransas on the beach and I think her long term goal is to play beach volleyball. She just has that kind of personality.”

"I guess I am a very carefree person,” admits Maspero, who was born in Brisbane, Australia and has family in the land down under as well as New Zealand, where her mother was born and raised.

This fall Maspero will take her game to San Diego, one of the nation’s most laid-back cities, where she will play for the University of San Diego. At first she thought she would be heading to the beaches of the Sunshine State. A coaching change at Florida State eliminated that choice, however. LSU, Baylor, Michigan and U. Conn showed interest. But hey, those schools aren't exactly known for their beaches. As it turned out, the only other recruiting visit she took was to the University of Miami. “That was just amazing,” says Maspero.

Ultimately, though, San Diego had it all – good coaches, great city, good business school, beautiful climate, good volleyball and a great beach. “It had big ‘Yes’ signs just popping in front of me everywhere,” she says.

When it comes to volleyball, however, there is nothing carefree about Maspero’s game.

“She’s easily one of the top two or three players I’ve ever coached,” says Gerlich. “Her leadership and the enthusiasm you see on the court are exactly what you get in practice every day. Even when she is lifting weights, she is doing it with the same enthusiasm and work ethic.

“The way she beams when she is out on the court, every kill is like it was her first one and that’s something that is hard to maintain when you’ve played as long as she has,” adds Gerlich. “She just gets out and plays with all her heart.”

Maspero’s senior season was bittersweet. From the opening weekend, when they cruised to the championship of the Duncanville Tournament, the Chargers were considered one of the favorites to compete for the 5A state title. As they rolled through the season collecting tournament championships, a district championship and playoff victories, Maspero and her teammates clearly positioned themselves as one of the state's elite. In one painful instant, however, the season and Maspero’s high school career came to an end.

You’ve probably heard the story by now. Churchill was matched with eventual state champion Austin Westlake in the Region IV finals. Churchill had beaten Westlake earlier in the year and won the opening game 15-12. After jumping to a quick lead in Game 2, the Chargers appeared on their way to San Marcos. Then junior OH Morgan Spencer collapsed with a torn ACL.

Even today, Maspero gets flustered when she thinks about the match. She can remember the play in every detail. At first, she says, she didn’t even realize what was happening.

“As I saw her go down to tell you the truth, I was thinking ‘get up,’ like PLAY,” Maspero says. “Then I tried to keep the ball in play. And actually there was a collision between us to get a ball as she was trying to play. The rally went on awhile then an overpass was hit down. The huddle was FRANTIC. Everyone tried to keep their cool, but you could really see it in everyone's eyes.”

Churchill never recovered. Westlake rallied to tie the match at 15-13 and won the deciding game 15-8. A week later they were state champs. Maspero, who led Churchill with 15 kills, says that even though Westlake had a "great, state caliber team,” there is no doubt in her mind that they would have beaten the Chaps if they hadn’t lost Spencer?

“Absolutely not,” she says. “We were going on the beat Westlake. Being up, I think 8-2 in the second game, I have full confidence that we were going to take them in two.”

Instead, she has to settle for knowing that over the course of the season, her team beat Wimberley, Red Oak and Westlake – the 3A, 4A and 5A state champs. And now, her focus is on one last run at a national club championship as an OH with Alamo Kaepa.

As Alamo prepares for its first national qualifier in Indianapolis in two weeks, we asked Maspero to take a few minutes to look back. She talked about what it was like being a part of the varsity as a freshman on one of the state’s premier programs. She offered her choice as the toughest among Wimberley, Red Oak and Westlake. She described what it was like watching the state tournament, knowing her team could have been there. And, of course, she told what she did to get over that disappointing season-ending loss. It was typical Ryan Maspero.

Let’s start at the beginning. When did you start playing volleyball?

The madness began when I was in sixth grade on the St. Mary's CYO team. What I find to be ironic is that I played with some of the same girls then as I play with on my club team now.

And you played other sports when you were young?

Yes. When I was very young I played T-ball and softball. Both on St. Mary's CYO teams. Also in middle school I participated in both basketball and track and field events.

At what point did you decide you really wanted to concentrate on volleyball?

When I began playing club. I saw all the fun in it and kind of fell in love :-)

And when did you realize you could hit the ball so hard?

Probably eighth grade (photo at left). Although I wasn't as consistent, I could slug ‘em hard occasionally.

What is the secret to hitting with power?

No secret really. I think some is genetics and some is the tough off-season program at Churchill. The coaches really push hard to make the athletes as quick and strong as possible.

Churchill is one of the most prestigious programs in the state. Were you aware of that as a junior high or rec league player? Was "playing for Churchill" something you thought about?

Yes and no. I had an older brother who went there, so I was already familiar to it. And I realize I'm playing for all the other Churchill teams that had come before me. It's really such a wonderful school with great tradition.

Do you remember when you found out that you had made the varsity for the first time?

This hits home, because that is such a memorable feeling. I started my freshmen year out on the JV team. One day at the beginning of the season my JV coach pulled me aside and asked me to go and practice with the varsity. I was so excited. I remember jumping up and down because I was SO happy! It was a really neat feeling! I then began to go to all of their preseason tournaments and many of their district and all of the playoff games, earning myself a letter.

What was the highlight of your high school career?

I would have to go with winning Duncanville and then receiving the MVP. That was such a prize moment.

You obviously had one of the best high school teams in the state this year. When did you start thinking about winning state?

In June. Our team had it on our minds from the beginning. The whole team was willing to do what ever it took to get there.

A lot of players dream of winning a state championship, but at what point did you feel that it was something you could actually accomplish?

After Duncanville definitely. It just so happens that a lot of times the winner of Duncanville wins state. So that was it. I trusted that my team could do it.

During the season you beat the eventual 3A, 4A and 5A state champions. Do you think you had the best team in the state?

I truly believe so.

Of those three — Wimberley, Red Oak and Westlake — which was the toughest?

Wimberley! Those girls and their fans do not want the lose. They put up a REALLY good fight (Churchill won in three). The second and third game against them was some really intense volleyball.

Were those the best teams you played all season, or was there someone else as good?

I wouldn't necessarily say the best, but one of the toughest to beat is Judson. There is something about that team when we play them. They bring their A game and nothing but. For the past three years we have lost one time to them in our district play.

How long did it take you to get over the loss to Westlake?

A good two weeks. But still if I think about it, or talk about it, I get a little flustered! That night after the loss, some friends and I went to Garner State Park and camped by the river. It was a really nice get away.

Did you go to the state tournament?

Yes, and really enjoyed it. My good friend Amanda Jergins played on the New Braunfels team and I went to cheer her on. I also stayed for the 5A game and enjoyed it too. I really felt that that could have been us.

How did it feel to be there, knowing you could have been playing?

There are so many different feelings of frustration and sadness. I really could just visualize our team there.

What has been the highlight of your club career so far?

My Bexar County teams were a blast and the highest we got was third place at Nationals when we were 15. We also won multiple BIG qualifiers.

What about this year. What are your goals for the club season?

Winning nationals.

Did you enjoy the recruiting process?

LOVED IT. It makes you feel important. It's all about you feeling good about them and their school.

What advice would you give to other young girls who are just now beginning the recruiting process on how to make their college decision?

Make sure all their information is right. I am still getting mail from colleges thinking that I am a 2004 graduate. How annoying is that? Also get in contact with all the schools early, start communicating and getting to know the staff and the school.

Do you have any goals for your first year in college?

I want to start when I get to USD. I know that is not going to be easy, so I'm really going to be in good shape when I get there. Hopefully add a few inches to my vertical and improve my game as much as possible.

What do you think is the strength of your game?

I would have to say I'm confident in what I do. I know that I can get the job done.

What about weaknesses? What part(s) of your game do you want to improve?

I would love to make many things better always because I'm so far from the caliber that I want to be at. I don't think that I can finger point a weakness. I wish I could though, so I could improve it.

What would people be surprised to know about you?

I have two. My real first name is Kathryn and my middle name is Ryan. Also I was born in Brisbane, Australia and have a lot of family there and in New Zealand where my mother was born and raised.

What about your off time — favorite foods? Hobbies? Type of Music?

I couldn't pick just one favorite food. I love it all, like most volleyball players. We can throw down some food! And it's also hard to pick a favorite type of music because I like so many types, but I would have to go with rap.

Finally, what advice would you give young girls who want to be like Ryan Maspero?

It's all about hard work. You have to be fully determined and motivated to reach your dreams and I always tell everyone that they CAN do it. As long as you believe in yourself nothing else matters.