Tomko: Block Party

DURHAM, N.C. ? In volleyball, there is a subtle skill to learning how to block an attack. Senior middle blocker Jourdan Norman, who has always been a blocker, has been learning and improving her technique ever since the seventh grade when she officially started playing volleyball.

“You watch everything,” Norman said. “At first you watch where the pass hits the setter, then you watch the setter quickly, then the ball and then last you watch the hitter, probably the longest. You watch the where the hitter is facing and her arm. That will tell you pretty much all you need to know.”

“I think I have always been able to jump well and that's obviously helped,” Norman added. “I guess after years of doing it over and over again, you kind of get the hang of it. A lot of repetition ultimately did it.”

In a 3-1 win against North Carolina, the 5-10 senior recorded four blocks to set the all-time record in the Blue Devils' win in Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Norman, before the matchup against North Carolina, wasn't even aware that she was on the verge of breaking the most career blocks record in Duke Volleyball history.

Senior outside hitter Aana Wherry needed to remind Norman that she was only four block shy of setting the all-time record of 553 that was set by Krista Dill in 2003.

Saturday night at home against N.C. State Norman added another block to put her career total at 555. She also came through with seven kills.

“I try not to think about it during the game or anything,” Norman said. “I just work on playing with my team and doing all that I can to help them. I think that it's a great ending to my career as a volleyball player. Obviously, not a lot of people have done this before me, and I think it's a great honor. It's a testament on all my coaches which is nice.”

Norman is not the tallest player on the team but credits her jumping ability ? she can touch slightly past 10 feet on her vertical ? and timing for her success on the court.

Her favorite blocks, she said, are the that come at the most crucial times during the match to help give a spark of momentum to her teammates.

“I always like the blocks that come when you really need a point or at the end of the game,” she said. “Those are always my favorite. Just to close out a game or a set is unexpected, but it's always really exciting and I love doing it.”

Norman has been responsible for Duke's success on both sides of the court, emerging as Duke's most efficient attacker with a .370 hitting percentage this season in addition to boasting a career average of 1.32 blocks per set, which also sits atop Duke's record book.

As a freshman, Norman had her highest season total for blocks with a school-record 176, which is another mark she is in pursuit of as a senior. She also accumulated 132 blocks in her sophomore season and 164 as a junior and entered her senior season ranked fourth on Duke's all-time blocks list.

As a freshman, she also set Duke's single-match record with 15 blocks against Virginia on Nov. 19 and recorded her first career triple-double with 14 kills and 11 digs. In her career, Norman has topped 10 blocks in a match five times, all of which resulted in double-doubles.

The Blue Devils are currently 12-5 and 3-2 in the ACC.

“We have had a few ups and downs. There have been a couple games that were tough, but I think we are learning along the way. Especially with a new team, that's all you can ask for ? just to get better each game is what we are trying to do throughout the season.”

-d-u-k-e-

Players Mentioned

Jourdan Norman

Aana Wherry

Duke information