Catching Up With Stinson Things Going Just Fine, Thank You, For Former Davenport High Star

Her physical appearance almost is identical to when we last left Jennifer Stinson, walking off the State B basketball tournament court after her team’s third-place finish.

Not only did that day serve up some of the final memories at the old Coliseum, but on that same day in March 1995 the Davenport High School star put the finishing touches on her distinguished and well-documented basketball career.

There are some subtle changes in her appearance. Her long brown hair has been cropped to shoulder length for what she described as “just for a change. For the college look, I guess.” She hasn’t grown past 6-foot-1, a height she reached as a sophomore in high school. But she has added five pounds to her thin frame, a result from hours of working out.

“I’m stronger now,” she said.

Her look is indeed the same, as is the drive that has allowed Stinson to naturally transform herself from an all-everything high school basketball star to a key player for Washington State University’s volleyball team, which is No. 13 in the USA Today/AVCA Top 25 poll and will put its 16-4, 7-3 record up against No. 3 Stanford (17-1, 10-0) today at noon at Bohler Gym.

“I have a nice life,” said Stinson, almost giggling over the comment. “It gets hectic once in a while, but so does everybody’s.”

One year ago, Stinson, a middle blocker, might not have had the same reaction to her life, which is life in the ferociously competitive Pacific-10 Conference.

“Volleyball was really frustrating,” she said. “Just adjusting from high school Bi-County volleyball to Pac-10 volleyball is a huge difference. And not that Bi-County is a bad league because it’s probably the best small-school league in the state. I know it is.

“It was just frustrating because I was so used to dominating sports,” she said.

As are the majority of scholarship athletes. Stinson, too, has scores of records and awards to show for her accomplishments as a high school basketball, volleyball and track and field athlete. Basketball, however, under the guidance of her father and coach, Jim, was Stinson’s most rewarding playing field.

During the Jim and Jen era - Jim has since stepped down as the basketball coach but remains in track and field - the Gorillas won State B titles Jennifer’s first two years.

Stinson, the player, holds the record for most points scored in the state, 2,881 to surpass Kate Starbird of Lakes High School. She also holds the State B tournament points record, 421, which broke the record of Creston’s Tammy Tibbles.

After 120 college basketball recruiters and about 10 others offering volleyball came calling, Stinson selected WSU’s volleyball program. She described her decision as “something new,” since she already had accomplished so much in basketball.

Washington State volleyball coach Cindy Fredrick might describe it as something that was more of the same.

“We came at her from angles of playing close to home, being able to see her parents all the time,” Fredrick recalled. “She’s from a small town. She’s not a city girl. Pullman’s a small town.

“When Arizona came to visit her, it was funny ‘cause these are city coaches. They don’t know what a silo is. I grew up on a farm. I know what a silo is.”

During WSU’s home visit, Stinson displayed the emotions of a poker player in a high-stakes game.

“Probably deep down inside,” she said, “I knew.

“Washington State was definitely one of my first choices, always. But Cindy said ‘You never showed it. You never gave it away.”’

What Stinson has shown is her ability to listen and learn. As a freshman, she was named to the Pac-10 Conference All-Freshman team and WSU’s All-Academic team. As a sophomore starter, she has become one of the team’s top contributors.

“I’m starting to believe it a little more as the season progresses,” said Stinson. “When (setter) Stephanie (Papke) turns to me and says, ‘I’m going to you. Put the ball there,’ Then you’re thinking, wow, she does need me and I am a big part of this team.”

Stinson entered the weekend averaging 2.42 kills per game, third behind Sarah Silvernail and Shannon Wyckoff. She is second behind Silvernail with blocks, averaging 1.27 per game.

Stinson, who didn’t begin playing club volleyball until after she signed, credits much of her leap in success to WSU assistant coach Mashallah Farokhmanesh, who works with her before practices.

“I am working on it (teaching her volleyball.) But she has so much ability that teaching is easy,” Farokhmanesh said.

Since volleyball and academics have become full-time occupations in Stinson’s nice life, will there ever be time to return to basketball?

“I miss it,” admitted Stinson, who also stayed away from collegiate basketball because of her slight build. “But,” added the elementary education major, “I’ll have a fifth year because I’m not going to get my degree in four years.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: 2 photos (1 color)