University of Tennessee Athletics
Senior Spotlight: Farren Powe
November 24, 2009 | Volleyball
Nov. 24, 2009
2009 Senior Spotlight Features: Carol Cheade | Chloe Goldman | Kylie Marshall
By Amber HardingUTLadyVols.com
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -Collegiate athletes excel through a combination of raw athleticism and skill in their sport. Most student-athletes spend their high school years honing their abilities through nationally competitive clubs or leagues. But University of Tennessee senior volleyball player Farren Powe didn't have that luxury. She earned her role as a Lady Vol through sheer athletic talent.
In her hometown of Mobile, Ala., Powe was a two-sport standout at McGill Toolen Catholic High School. She helped her volleyball squad to two Alabama state championships in 2004 and 2005. During her senior season, she was chosen as the Alabama 6A Most Valuable Player and the Alabama State Player of the Year.
Even with all of her success in high school, however, Powe said she began playing volleyball "just for fun." It wasn't until she received her first collegiate letter that Powe talked with her parents, Roger and Velma Gamble, about the possibility of playing volleyball at a university.
Like most collegiate volleyball players, Powe competed with a club team during high school. Her club, however, was not considered an elite one. They didn't travel to many of the national tournaments, and Powe said their main objective was just to stay in shape and get some extra experience.
"I think my not playing for an elite club was kind of a disadvantage coming into college," Powe said. "Other players had played in more games. They had more experience."
Because Powe didn't compete in many of the major tournaments, she did not receive much exposure to college scouts. She did, however, receive letters from nearby Southeastern Conference schools.
"She wasn't recruited heavily because she wasn't seen," head coach Rob Patrick said. "But the people that did see her all offered her scholarships."
Patrick said he was immediately impressed by her athleticism.
"The quick jump that she has, how athletic she was and how well she moved with her feet - those are things you notice right away," Patrick said.
Her athletic prowess has guided her through most of her collegiate career. Powe has struggled with tendinitis in her knees, and, as a result, coaches have not been able to work on her skills as much as they would like. Patrick said there have been two spring seasons where she didn't practice at all for six months because the trainers were trying to rest her knees.
In the past year, however, Powe's tendinitis has subsided, and Patrick believes she has blossomed as a result.
"She's very coachable and has really taken her game to another level," Patrick said. "We have been able to perfect her skills instead of her just being an athlete out there."
Powe's strength lies in her net play. In 2008, she led the SEC with a .412 hitting percentage in conference matches. This season, she ranks seventh with a .308 attack average. She also leads the Lady Vols with a staggering 17 blocks in 2009.
Patrick said the team relies on Powe for "instant offense." Her quickness on her feet and with her arm swing not only helps her to record kills, but it also provides a spark for the rest of the UT offense.
"She's able to provide us with an offensive boost," Patrick said. "When she does that, it opens up things for us for outside hitters to have some easy kills."
Patrick is so confident in Powe's athleticism that he matches her up with the opposing team's best hitter. Because of her athleticism and impressive vertical, she slows down the opposing hitter.
Most importantly, however, Powe possesses an intensity that allows her to be successful. Underneath her soft-spoken personality, there is a player with a desire to play hard and to win.
"There's a burning competitiveness underneath her that people don't really see," Patrick said. "That's what makes her able to play through her injuries and compete at a high level."
Powe credits her family as her motivation to play well. She said her siblings, 19-year-old Xavier and 17-year-old Lauren, look up to her. Being their role model is a responsibility she takes seriously.
"My family sacrifices so much for me," Powe said. "Whenever I'm down and out, I just think of them, and that helps me get through the day."
Powe is currently pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in psychology. After graduation, she wants to earn a graduate degree and become a licensed clinical social worker.
"I've always been a people person," she said. "I love working with people. I feel like I've been put on this earth to help people."
Farren Powe has made the transition from raw athlete to successful volleyball player. She has taken the advice of her coaches and become one of the best blockers in the SEC. As a student-athlete, she is also taking advantage of her time in college to pursue a career in helping disadvantaged individuals.
As a senior, Powe said she feels a sense of urgency. She said her past four years have flown. She appreciates her coaches and teammates for everything they have done for her.
"What I'm really going to take from this are the friendships that I'll never forget," Powe said. "It's been a great experience, and I'm very blessed to have had this opportunity."
