By Chris McCarthy/Editor
J’Nae Fraser is not yet ready to head back to desert country.
A native of Chandler, Arizona, the Gadsden State sophomore volleyball standout recently signed with Jacksonville State.
Fraser had planned on signing with JSU as a freshman in 2014, but due to NCAA Clearinghouse issues wound up playing for Gadsden State for two seasons, a decision she does not regret.
“I loved it here so much that I stayed for another year,” said Fraser, who plans on studying accounting at Jacksonville State. “[GSCC] Coach Angie [Sanders] is awesome and she took me in as family, which made it so m much easier to play for her. I have no family anywhere close to here, so that was very important for me.”
As a defensive specialist last season, Fraser was named to the Alabama Community College Conference Region 22 All-Second team. Her 9.22 average of digs per match was tops in the ACCC. She also had 17 service aces.
“It was a little different for me the first year because it was a period of adjustment, but I found people around here to be very accepting and loving,” she said.
As the first person in her family in three generations to attend college, Fraser added that she appreciated the opportunity to continue her education as well as her volleyball career.
“J’Nae was in a unique situation when she came here because she was so far away from home and didn’t know anybody,” said Sanders. “She’s very energetic and knows the sport very well. She’s been a great player for us.”
Sanders had little doubt that Fraser will be a key contributor for the Gamecocks this fall.
“J’Nae is a competitive young lady who won’t settle for not playing; she’ll do whatever it takes to get out on the court. That’s the kind of person she is.”