Many teams do not reap much production from their players during their freshman year, but setter Hannah Kaminsky has had to adjust to new strategies and develop relationships with her teammates from the start.

Kaminsky, who was named the Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Week on Monday, grew up in Woodridge, about 30 miles southwest of Chicago. Athletics were a common activity in her family growing up; her brother plays basketball at the University of Wisconsin and her sister played volleyball at Indiana Tech.

Kaminsky said she played basketball and volleyball growing up, but the decision to stay with volleyball was not tough.

“I just love the sport, I didn’t get the feeling like I did when I was out on the basketball court like I was when I’m out on the volleyball court,” she said. “(It’s) the love of the game, I feel like I compete so much more in a volleyball game than a basketball game.”

Her father, Frank Kaminsky, is an accomplished Amateur Athletic Union coach and finished his college basketball career at Lewis University as the seventh leading scorer in school history with 1,521 points.

Although her father has been successful, it is her mother, Mary Kaminsky, who makes her strive to be better. Her mother played volleyball at Northwestern and made the All-Big Ten second team in 1984.

“I grew up hearing every single story there was,” Kaminsky said. “She played overseas. I really like that she had such a background with (volleyball) because it makes me want to work harder to get all the accolades that she had.”

Coach Justin Ingram said Assistant Coach Todd Nelson saw Kaminsky play in high school. Ingram said Nelson liked the tempo at which she played. Ingram used a baseball saying to explain the talent Kaminsky has.

“Either somebody has the knuckle-curve or they don’t,” Ingram said. “She has it.”

It is difficult for freshmen to get playing time early in their careers, but because the Salukis have nine freshmen, some of them have to produce right now.

“I think it’s hard for any freshman to come in and get significant playing time,” Ingram said. “I think a lot of the battles happen with understanding systems of whatever environment they’re entering.”

Kaminsky has been in the spotlight since high school, where she won back-to-back Illinois Class 4A state titles at Benet Academy. She was also a finalist for the Prep Volleyball National Player of the Year in 2012.

“This is no pressure, she’s been in this stuff before,” Ingram said. “(I’m) really pleased with her development and her future’s bright.”

Kaminsky is proud of the honor, but said it was a shock to learn she had won it.

“I didn’t realize I got it until I started getting texts,” Kaminsky said. “I didn’t know there was an award for that.”

Kaminsky said it was difficult getting accustomed to the new players around her. Senior Elly Braaten said Kaminsky had to understand how the seniors played very quickly.

“Having three senior hitters, we’re kind of used to the tempo,” Braaten said. “(Kaminsky) kind of had to jump in and match those right away; she did a really good job.”

Ingram has said all season the new players do not seem so new; Braaten agrees.

“The freshmen don’t look like freshman, especially (Kaminsky), taking on a huge role as the setter, kind of the quarterback on the team.” Braaten said. “She has really stepped up and been a great addition and has led the team well.”

Ingram took Braaten’s comparison a level higher.

“It’s Peyton Manning, go find somebody in the flat,” Ingram said. “It’s seeing based on the package that the defense is having, you’re having to determine who to set, how fast to set them and make sure they have a chance to score.”

The beginning of the season has not gone the way the Salukis had hoped. However, Kaminsky said she wants to weather the storm and help the team get to where they need to be.

“I feel like a lot of people are saying we’re a young team,” Kaminsky said. “I want to overcome this rollercoaster we’re on right now and make it to the conference tournament and do well. We’ve been trying to figure it out and each match it gets closer and closer.”