Girard's Hunkus standout for Duke

DURHAM, N.C. -- Encouraged by her parents, Tealle Hunkus began playing organized volleyball when she was 11-years-old with a junior olympics program.
As Hunkus learned the game, she joined the Girard Junior High volleyball team, and then went on to become a record-setting standout for the Girard High team for coach Phil Walters.
Now, bolstered by all of her early years of preparation and experience, Hunkus has developed into a polished sophomore player and leader of the Duke University volleyball team, and into one of the top players in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
The key to the 6-foot-1 outside hitter's success has been her strong foundation in the sport and her love for the game that keeps motivating her to become a better player.
"My parents [Holly and David] encouraged me, and once I found the passion they were definitely behind me the whole way. They were always there," said Hunkus, who has helped Duke, coached by Jolene Nagel, to a 14-5 record, including 5-3 in the ACC, entering today's dual against Virginia Tech.
Big contributor
As of last week (through 62 games), Hunkus was ranked second on the team in service aces (0.37) and digs per game (3.23), No. 3 in kills per game (2.92) and No. 7 in attack percentage (.219) and blocks per game (0.45).
She led a 3-1 win over ACC-rival Wake Forest last Tuesday with a team-co-leading 16 kills and a team-best 28 digs.
Hunkus said her parents continue to give her strong support and attend many of her matches.
"They are usually here every couple of weeks month. They come here a lot and also on the road as well," said Hunkus, who loves Duke. "It's beautiful and also just the atmosphere and school spirit [are great]."
Hunkus said she still is learning how to play the college game.
"I played in quite a few matches last year, and it helped just going to practice and learning from the upperclassmen. You just have to adjust to the game," said Hunkus, who won a starting berth this year after seeing considerable playing time as a freshman.
Last season, she played in 73 games and 26 matches -- the most playing time of any first-year player.
She coupled her tall size and arm swing with an improved all-around game and more strength developed during the past year, and also improved on defense.
In fact, "My biggest improvement is probably [on defense], and I worked on it a lot this past spring and in the preseason," she said.
Factors in success
But other factors enter into her criteria for success.
"I think it is all a matter of adjusting not only to college volleyball but to college life. The upperclassmen help a lot, not only with practice but with advice, [other things] and traveling," said Hunkus.
She said balancing her time allocated for academics and volleyball has become esssential.
"The biggest adjustment is the academic life and volleyball, the time [needed] for school work, travel time and practice. You have to budget your time."
She said college is demanding, especially during volleyball season.
"During the season, life is basically sleeping, volleyball and studying and doing work whenever you can." said Hunkus.
Her teammates are important to her. "You come closer to the team because you spend so much time together. It's like a second family," she pointed out.
Hunkus believes the team is doing better this season.
"[We are] working together more and sticking through the tough times where last year we couldn't finish [with more wins]," said Hunkus. "There is always room for improvement in hitting and defense and staying in control on the team," she said.
Hunkus is undecided regarding an academic major, but is leaning toward majoring in public policy and market management.
One of nations's 100 best
While a four-year letterwinner at Girard High, Hunkus was a high achiever, won numerous honors and was named one of Prep Volleyball's Top 100 high school players in the nation.
She set Ohio records for career kills (1169 from 1999-02) and single-season kills (470, 2002).
And she also made first-team all-state, all-district and All-Metro Athletic Conference as a junior and senior in 2001 and 2002, besides being named the Division III (District I) player of the year both seasons.
kovach@vindy.com