Hi-Line Athlete Profile: Jessica Wilcox, Northern Volleyball

MSU-N senior Jessica Wilcox has stepped into a leadership role with the Skylights, and she's cherishing it

The Montana State University-Northern volleyball team has undergone plenty of changes since last season. And thanks to that, the Skylights have gotten their season off to a solid start. But, it never hurts to have a little experience and that's what MSU-N has gotten, and will continue to get from Jessica Wilcox.

Wilcox, a 6-0 outside hitter from Las Vegas, Nevada, is in the midst of her second season with the Skylights after transferring to Northern from Utah State University-Eastern before the 2014 season. At that time, the Skylights were fresh off a Frontier Conference championship and were hoping to contend once again in the conference race.

Yet, last season did not go as planned for Northern as the Skylights struggled to a 3-11 record in conference play and a 7-21 mark overall. The team also bowed out in the first round of the Frontier Conference tournament.

Looking to get back in the elite in the Frontier, Northern head coach Bill Huebsch went searching for talent, which he found, but he also needed to rely on players like Wilcox, who was third on the team in kills a season ago with 170, to come back and play a key role.

And so far this season, as a senior, Wilcox has been up to the challenge. Through 16 games, Wilcox has made her presence felt for Northern and is currently second on the team in kills with 127, trailing only Cassie Krueger, who transferred to Northern after originally playing at Montana State.

Among other factors, the play of Wilcox has been an important part of Northern's solid start to the season, which includes a 3-1 record in a tournament in North Dakota just last weekend. Krueger has been a huge addition for the Skylights, there is no doubt about that — but just as important has been the development of Wilcox. And her veteran leadership.

Last year, Wilcox was solid for Northern and finished with five games with at least 10 kills. But this season, her impact has been far more profound and already she has reached double-digits in kills on six occasions. She is also on pace to greatly increase her total number of kills, which is only 43 short of her total in 2014. Wilcox has also been outstanding on defense, both with digs and her blocks.

And with wins in three of their last four matches, Wilcox and the Skylights are feeling confident as they open their Frontier Conference schedule Thursday night at home against Lewis and Clark State inside the Armory Gymnasium.

The match will finally give the Skylights the fresh start they have been looking for in the Frontier Conference after last season's disappointing campaign, and if that wasn't enough to be excited about, MSU-N will also host sixth-ranked Rocky Mountain College Saturday in a monumental test.

But with Wilcox and a number of other talented hitters in tow, the Skylights are confident they can make some noise in the Frontier, starting this weekend. But, before Wilcox and her teammates take to their home floor for the first time this season, the Havre Daily News caught up with her for five questions.

HDN: You are from Las Vegas, so what was it like moving to Havre?

Wilcox: "It was a bit of a culture shock, going to a small town, but I played junior college in a small town, so I like the atmosphere here. When I came here for my recruiting trip, everyone was really nice to me and I liked that."

HDN: What is your favorite thing about playing volleyball?

Wilcox: "The hitting. There are a lot of different things that go into it, but that is the funnest part."

HDN: The team has played much better than a season ago and already surpassed the win total from 2014. What has been the cause of the turn around?

Wilcox: "I think part of it was getting some new players. But, also we had some players that didn't really want to be here last year and we don't have that anymore. This year everyone is playing for the team and for each other.”

HDN: Individually, you are playing a bigger role. What has been the key to your improvement?  

Wilcox: "Last year, I took a step back mentally and realized that I had to step it up — definitely knowing that it's my last year and wanting to go out on a strong note and my teammates having confidence in me really helps me have confidence in myself." 

HDN: What has been your favorite thing about being a part of Northern volleyball?

Wilcox: "Just the support that you get everywhere you go. It seems like everyone knows who you are and wants you to do well. That is one of the things I have enjoyed the most."