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Ex-Tampa Prep Star Leads By Example

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By JOEY JOHNSTON, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 6, 2007

It has taken Dartmouth College junior Jess Thomas some time to discover her true academic interest. Now she's an art history major. Already, she's curious about pursuing it in graduate school, perhaps becoming a museum curator. This spring, as part of Dartmouth's Travel Abroad program, she'll study in Italy.

'I've kind of been all over the place settling on a major,' Thomas said. 'I finally think I've found the right one.'

Long ago, Thomas found her athletic passion - volleyball.

Thomas, an outside hitter for the Dartmouth Big Green, has developed into one of the Ivy League's most distinguished performers, earning second-team all-conference honors last year. League honors are months away from being announced this season, but Dartmouth coach Ann Marie Larese said Thomas' status is obvious.

'Jess is a huge cog in the wheel,' Larese said. 'The biggest compliment I can give her is every single team we play puts their best blocker on her. It's like in basketball, with a great point guard or shooting guard, you've got to put somebody on them defensively. That's what the other teams try to do - shut down Jess.'

Thomas, named the Tribune's Hillsborough County player of the year at Tampa Prep in 2004, helps her cause with versatility. Larese calls Thomas one of Dartmouth's best defensive players and passers, although her hitting gets the most attention.

Which is terribly ironic to Thomas.

'I wasn't very tall when I started,' said Thomas, now a 6-footer. 'There was a bit of a learning curve and nobody thought I was going to be a hitter.

'I would get discouraged and frustrated. I was always a year younger than the girls on my team. I hadn't hit my growth spurt and I was questioning myself. Gary Larkin club coach, now with Tampa United Volleyball really helped with my confidence. Ever since then, I've made progress.'

Playing at Tampa Prep, Thomas drew plenty of inquiries from recruiters, but narrowed her choices to Dartmouth and Davidson. At first, she didn't favor Dartmouth, mostly because her brother Bryan attended the school and she wanted a different path. But during her official visit to the Hanover, N.H., campus, Thomas knew it was the right place.

Varsity athletics, mixed with an Ivy League education, make for some challenging time-management situations. Thomas said she wouldn't have it any other way.

'I actually find myself doing my best academic work in the fall, when we're in volleyball season,' Thomas said. 'You are forced to prioritize and work hard.

'Some people ask what it would be like academically if I wasn't playing. But I can't imagine my life without volleyball. It's a huge part of who I am.'

NOTABLE: Alabama sophomore Javier Arenas (Robinson) ranks 19th in Division I-A punt return average (15.0 yards). ... Former Bucs DL Tyrone Keys, founder of Tampa's All-Sports Community Services, is featured in public service announcements celebrating the SEC's 75th anniversary. Keys, who played at Mississippi State, is among the 75 former SEC athletes profiled as having a significant impact in their communities.

Reporter Joey Johnston can be reached at (813) 259-7353 or jjohnston@tampatrib.com.

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