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Sure, the Olympia senior has piled up the stats. During the regular season alone Colasurdo – The Olympian’s 2011 All-Area volleyball player of the year – posted 303 kills, 239 digs and 181/2 blocks from her outside-hitter position.
She served at a 95.6-percent clip with 36 aces, and hit at a .294 percentage while leading the Bears back to the Class 4A state tournament for a fourth consecutive year.
But it is Colasurdo’s ability to fire up herself, her teammates and the crowd that leaves the lasting impression.
“She just brings a lot of positive energy to our team,” said Olympia coach Laurie Creighton, who has guided the Bears to three consecutive state-tournament trophies. “When we’re down, she lifts the team up, and when we have momentum she helps us continue it. She’s a fierce competitor, an incredible athlete and a lot of fun to coach.”
Entering the season, many in volleyball circles wondered how Olympia was going to replace the graduated Lauren Herseth, the all-area player of the year in 2010.
The question was answered rather quickly, as Colasurdo immediately assumed the role of the Bears’ go-to player.
“Physically, the biggest difference this year is I am a much stronger hitter,” said Colasurdo, who also earned first-team All-Narrows League 4A honors. “The biggest change mentally was I just realized how much I loved being out there playing this sport.”
Colasurdo’s realization came during a lighter-than-normal summer volleyball schedule.
“It just kind of dawned on me how great I have it,” Colasurdo said. “I wasn’t playing as much volleyball this summer, and when I wasn’t playing all I wanted to do was play. I get to play for this great program. I get to play with all my friends who love playing the sport I love. I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else.”
Playing in a program rich with tradition – this week will mark the Bears’ 20th state-tournament trip since 1980 – Colasurdo has etched her name in the record book, holding the mark for kills in a game. She had 25 earlier this season against Curtis.
“Christie has been on varsity for three years and a starter for two years,” Creighton said, “but you could just see the increase in her confidence this year. She’s got a great understanding of the game.”
Colasurdo has received scholarship offers from several NCAA Division II schools, and has been invited to walk on at one D-I team. She has not decided where she will attend.
More important right now is the 4A state tournament, which begins Friday at St. Martin’s University in Lacey. Olympia tangles with Newport in a first-round matchup at 11:45 a.m.
“Of course, ending it all with a state championship is everyone’s dream, but we try to concentrate on playing point to point,” Colasurdo said. “The big thing for me is looking back on my four years here and saying that I didn’t waste a single minute. That I took advantage of every opportunity I had. And I think I’ve done that.”
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