As the season winds down for WSU volleyball, the team turns to veteran players to lead the way to postseason opportunities. Senior Jackie Albright has become one of those key contributors for the Cougars.

With more than three years of experience in the highly intense Pac-10 conference, Albright has been with WSU through some tough times and is ready to lead the team as it continues its rise to Pac-10 and national relevance.

At 17-10 overall (5-10 Pac-10), the Cougars have already won more matches this season than in any of the past three. The team also has a good chance finishing as high as fifth in the Pac-10.

“It is very satisfying, seeing it all pay off,” Albright said. “This is a special team.” Albright said the team must be careful to not become complacent with what it has done because the work is not over, and every game is crucial at this point in the season.

“It is getting down to the wire,” Albright said. “It is getting urgent, and we want every game.” She has certainly done her part in providing leadership for younger players with impressive performances in big games and her positive energy.

Albright put together a monster game against No. 6-ranked UCLA in early November, with 16 kills and 22 digs. She has consistently been one of the team’s top players in both kills and digs. She attributed her versatility as a player to growing up in California and to being one of the shorter players to play in the front row.

Albright leads the Cougars with 279 kills and is second on the team for total assists (29) and digs (306). She views her leadership style as positive and constructive, instead of harping on other players.

“Cassie (Robbins) and I provide more of positive reinforcement,” Albright said. “We are on the same side as our teammates.” Almost immediately upon her arrival in Pullman, Albright became an important player for the Cougars. As a freshman, she composed several double-digit kill performances, including 10 kills against No. 6-ranked Stanford.

She has been a starter since her sophomore year and a co-captain for each of the past two seasons.

Albright came to the Palouse after a successful career at El Toro High in Lake Forest, Calif., where she was named to two all-league teams among several other recognitions.

“I love the atmosphere of Pullman, of the town, of Wazzu,” Albright said.

Playing through tough losing seasons in her first three years at WSU, when the Cougars finished no better than ninth in the conference, has helped Albright progress as a player.

“I have improved my actual technique and my game,” she said. “But also mentally, a lot more than I ever thought I would.” Even off the court, Albright has proven to be an exemplary leader, especially in the classroom. With a 3.56 GPA, she was recently selected to the 2009 ESPN The Magazine Academic All District VIII first team.

A civil engineering major with an emphasis on structures and a minor in mathematics, Albright’s ability to juggle academics and volleyball is worth much recognition.

“It was cool to be recognized because sometimes that is not seen as a priority,” Albright said, adding that it was nice to be rewarded for her hard work and time put into schoolwork.

Outside of competitive Division-I volleyball, Albright likes to watch sports and play beach volleyball at home.

Albright will fight for the Cougars in the season’s last few weeks as the team strives to earn an NCAA tournament bid.