It's not easy playing in the shadow of a record-breaking libero. But Alison Lund is taking the situation in stride.
While Sydney Donahue has been in the spotlight this season, racking up a string of double-digit dig performances and shattering the school's single-match rally-scoring digs record, Lund has quietly been doing the intangibles to help the team.
"I try to contribute in any way that I can, whether it's as a libero or defensive specialist," she said. "I just go out there and be a spark plug on the floor and get people ignited."
The sophomore from Bowie, Md., primarily serves as a defensive specialist and a backup libero to Donahue, who is ranked second in the nation averaging 6.29 digs per game.
But Lund said she embraces her role on the team.
"Playing with Sydney is great because we're constantly pushing each other to get better," she said. "Whatever I need help on, she's always there; and if she ever needs help from me, I'm here for her."
Lund and Donahue both arrived at ASU in 2004 as part of a highly regarded recruiting class, and have gone through all the growing pains together.
Donahue added that Lund keeps her on top of her game.
"She's a great player, and we learn a lot from each other," she said. "She definitely makes me a better player."
ASU coach Brad Saindon said there is a noticeable difference in the on-court demeanor between Lund and Donahue.
"Their personalities are a lot different," he said. "Sydney is more vocal and animated, and Alison is a little bit quieter."
But Saindon added that his two liberos complement each other well.
"I can't think of many teams that have a libero and a defensive specialist that are as close to one another (in talent)," Saindon said. "I think that's an advantage for this team, and eventually, they're going to help us win matches."
Lund earned her first career start at home as the libero on Oct. 7 in a celebrated match against rival UA.
"It was very exciting," she said about starting against the Wildcats. "It was definitely one of my dreams come true."
She recorded eight digs and three service aces during the match, but UA handed the Sun Devils their fourth straight loss.
"We let them go on too many point runs," Lund said. "If we would have shut them down and stuck to our gameplan on sideout, we would have been fine."
Lund is averaging nearly two digs per game this season. Saindon said Lund and Donahue form one of the more potent defensive combinations in the country.
"Sydney's a great libero, maybe one of the best in the country," he said. "But one of the reasons she has done so well is because Alison is pushing her really hard in practice, and lately, she's been right on Sydney's heels."
Reach the reporter at derrik.miller@asu.edu.
