Senior outside hitter Brady Stump from York, Pennsylvania, has been an opponent’s nightmare through the first nine matches of this season.
Stump has recorded a team-high 110 kills this season, with a hitting percentage of .300.
He had a season-high 23 kills against Roberts Wesleyan on Jan. 30.
“It starts with lifting in the offseason and staying in shape with open gyms to be able to perform the best I can,” said Stump.
“For me, it is being able to serve and receive; being able to pass the ball when the other team is serving; and focusing.”
Stump has recorded at least five kills in each of his team’s nine matches.
SFU entered its Feb. 20 match against Catawba with a 4-5 record.
Stump earned NEC Player-of -the-Week honors following his performance against Roberts Wesleyan.
He has also been named an NEC Prime Performer twice this season, and seven times in his career at SFU.
“My goal is to practice as hard as I can and give 100 percent effort at all times,” said Stump.
He has been a key part to the Red Flash’s success over the last several seasons.
“Brady is very athletic and talented,” said Red Flash head coach Mike Rumbaugh. “Whenever he gets going and gets confident, nobody is stopping him from the endline. He passes very well, he plays great defense, he does it all.”
Stump earned All-NEC first-team honors last season. He said he has a lot of respect and appreciation for Rumbaugh’s coaching approach.
“He does a great job keeping us healthy,” said Stump. “Instead of pushing us when we are not feeling the best, he would rather us take the time off and not risk getting hurt.
“He is very understanding,” said Stump.
A former first-team all-state performer at York Suburban High School, Stump said several keys to his success are staying hydrated, maintaining his mental health, and
allowing time to relax and make sure his body is in the best shape possible.
“He is just purely gifted with his right arm,” said Rumbaugh.
Stump and his teammates will host Catawba for a pair of non-conference matches on Feb. 20 and 21.
“We are trying our best to reach the Top 20,” said Stump. “We want to be able to hit that milestone and show other teams – like those on the West Coast – that we can compete at the same level or better.”
