SAN MARCOS, Texas — When Texas State performs host to Southeastern Louisiana on Thursday, it’ll achieve this with the reigning Solar Belt Convention setter of the week.
Which is nothing uncommon at Texas State, the place Emily DeWalt was the league setter of the week six instances in 2022. Heck for that matter, DeWalt — the setter of the week 25 instances in her profession — was the five-time Solar Belt setter of the 12 months from 2018-22.
Which leads us to Ryann Torres.
After Texas State beat North Texas in 5 after which swept then-No. 13 Houston final week, Torres was named the Solar Belt setter of the week.
“She’s had the toughest job within the nation, being behind Emily DeWalt,” Texas State coach Sean Hueit stated. “It’s enjoyable to see her take over and do it her method. And I’ve instructed her, you don’t must be Emily DeWalt, you get to be Ryan Torres and run the present the best way you understand how.”
And run it she has. Texas State is 4-1 and the 5-foot-10 Torres is averaging 10.65 assists and a couple of.59 digs per set.
And right here’s the factor: She appears to be like so imply whereas doing it.
“One-thousand p.c. Sure,” Torres admitted with fun. “It’s not intentional. I will be having the very best day ever and I’ll be strolling on campus and I’ll have somebody come as much as me later within the day and say, ‘You seemed actually mad. Are you OK?’ No, it’s simply my face.
“And it reveals somewhat extra after I’m pondering and focusing and my wheels are turning.”
Her wheels have been actually turning in opposition to Houston as Texas State pulled off a surprising 25-18, 25-22, 25-19 sweep.
“I’ve this mindset,” Torres stated. “See ball, get ball.”
“Ryann performed so good as we speak. She was so excellent and such a great teammate,” redshirt-freshman exterior Samantha Wunsch stated after the Houston match when Torres had a kill, 36 assists, 9 digs and two blocks. Her Bobcats hit .392 and Wunsch had 11 kills with one error in 25 assaults and three blocks, one solo and is that this week’s Solar Belt offensive participant of the week. She had 15 kills and 6 blocks in opposition to North Texas.
“She was ready for a very long time and now that this season is right here, she’s so hungry and so prepared,” Wunsch stated. “She’s being such a great teammate and such a great chief.”
And persistently affected person. She obtained some taking part in time when DeWalt was injured, for instance setting for her one spring when DeWalt had surgical procedure, and serving for her when her shoulder was injured.
However 4 years as a reserve is a very long time.
Torres grew up simply 10 miles from campus in Buda, the place she was a great participant for Jack C. Hays Excessive College.
“In highschool I had an essential function and coming to Texas State and being behind Emily DeWalt, it took a toll on me somewhat bit,” Torres stated. “There undoubtedly was an adjustment. I realized the right way to be there for my teammates, simply otherwise and I believe that taught me a lot. And I exploit that taking part in on the courtroom now.”
Torres, the second-oldest of 5 sisters, admitted there have been moments when she questioned her scenario, however credited a powerful assist system and encouragement from lots of household/pals/folks alongside the best way.
“(Quitting) by no means crossed my thoughts however I used to be down somewhat bit at instances,” she stated. “I needed to show myself each single day and that was my greatest motivation.”
Whereas DeWalt is now a coach at UT-Arlington, Hueit has added to his workers former Rice All-American setter Carly Graham, who has had an incredible optimistic affect on Torres.
“She’s the very best useful resource. She’s superior,” Torres stated. “Now we have place coaching and me and (TCU freshman switch) Carlee Pharris, the opposite setter, and we come out of that have a look at one another after and it’s like, ‘Rattling, she is aware of her stuff.’ And she will be able to make it so easy.”
Graham appreciates Torres.
“She works so laborious within the health club day-after-day,” Graham stated. “She will get after it. She’s an awesome teammate, very coachable, and had purchased in to working to be higher and being higher for her teammates.”
Torres credit having an enormous household and people three youthful sisters for a few of it.
“There have been instances after I was taking part in mother. Sure, my dad and mom are married and every little thing, however being one of many oldest and when my dad was at work, I helped my mother out. I performed dad. I believe I’ve that motherly nature and had that management function instilled in me very naturally.”
After the Houston match, Torres, listed as a senior however with one other 12 months of eligibility remaining, because of COVID, was all smiles.
“It felt so good,” Torres admitted. “The sensation is indescribable.”
The smile seemed good on her.
“From the skin she appears to be like like she’s a bad-ass, like she’s a imply woman, however Ryann is simply the sweetest particular person,” Wunsch stated. “On and off the courtroom.”
