ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: UWEC volleyball's Heather Sawchuk

After beginning the 2016 season unranked, the UW-Eau Claire volleyball team has moved their way up to 24th in the latest Division III poll with a 14-3 record. The Blugolds are led by the spectacular play of Heather Sawchuk. The junior outside hitter has spiked her way into our Gordy's Athlete of the Week Segment. Chance Dickman has the story.

Off the court, she may be calm and shy, but once Heather Sawchuk steps between the lines, it's a whole new ball game."

"She's maybe more competitive and more feisty than a lot of players," UWEC head coach Kim Wudi said. "Our team tends to be really nice to one another."

"Yeah, on the court, I'm a completely different person," Sawchuk added. "I'm just so beyond competitive."

Well, it shows because there aren't many outside hitters around the WIAC that can throw down a spike like Sawchuk.

"I've never been the strongest person, but as long as you go in there with the speed that you have and all the speed that you can give, then that's when you can hit hard," Sawchuk said.

Wudi added, "Certainly her timing is such that, when she's in rhythm with the setters, she's very hard to stop."

Sawchuk leads the Blugolds with 184 kills this season. So when the team needs a point, they immediately locate No. 2.

"There have been times this season where I've told my setters to set Heather every ball," Wudi explained. "I was a setter, and I know that look, and I know that's where you have to give the ball back to your ace hitter. She's doing a great job finding those points any way she can get them."

It's no question that Heather has some unbelievable skills on the court, but believe it or not, volleyball wasn't always her first passion.

"No, I was a gymnast for 10 years," Sawchuk exclaimed. "Once I started to grow and lose my flexibility in gymnastics, I started volleyball in seventh grade, and from the second I touched the ball, I knew."

Sawchuk began her college career at California State University-San Bernardino, but after transferring to UW-Eau Claire last January, she's made her new home with the Blugolds.

"Getting to be a part of this program and to be a leader on the court and off the court and make all of these amazing relationships with these amazing girls and coaching staff, it's a dream come true," Sawchuk said.

Reporting in Eau Claire, Chance Dickman for SportScene 13.