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Wednesday, October 09, 2002

By Steve Hecht, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Last month, 24-year-old Jen Flynn had one of those out-of-body experiences.

It took place when she went to Germany, and participated at the women's volleyball world championships as a member of the United States national team.

The U.S., playing with many of its 2000 Olympic team members, garnered second place -- its best finish at the world championships since 1967.

Flynn, a Baldwin High School graduate who played at Ohio State, started 37 of 41 games for the United States at the setter position.

"I went in having no idea about the level of play," said Flynn. "It was the whole Olympic team from 2000 and I'm playing with them. Then, I'm starting.

"It almost didn't seem real. I know I started. I know we played well. I know I was there, but it almost didn't seem real to me."

Flynn, who played professionally this past year for the Grand Rapids (Mich.) Force of the United States Women's Professional League, was a late addition to the national team after one of the U.S. setters became pregnant.

"Jen played very well. She has a real good fighting spirit -- lots of heart and soul," said Toshi Yoshiba, head coach of the U.S. national team. "She didn't practice long with us but she played very well.

"She's pretty athletic, moves quick, sees the people."

At the world championships, the United States beat the two-time defending champion Cuban team on Sept. 11 in the quarterfinals and then topped favorite Russia (second place in 2000 Olympics) in the semifinals.

The storybook ride came to an end when the United States lost to Italy, 3-2, in the final before a sellout crowd of 9,000 at Max Schmelling Halle in Berlin.

The U.S. played that championship match without one of its top players, 6-3 outside hitter Keba Phipps, who suffered an eye injury the day before in practice.

"Even without Keba, we should have won," said Flynn. "We just made errors at the wrong time."

The United States finished fourth in women's volleyball at the 2000 Olympics. With its second-place finish at the world championships, more will be expected from the United States at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. And, Flynn could be a member of that team.

"She has a shot, I think," said Yoshiba.

"I think I opened Toshi's eyes a little," said Flynn, who at 5-feet-9 is one of the smaller players in international competition. "If I continue to do well, keep improving, I have a good shot at making the 2004 Olympic team."

At the very least, Flynn now knows she belongs with the best players in the world. She said the level of competition at the world championships and the talent on the U.S. team was something she had not encountered before.

"This was the best of the best," said Flynn. "It was pretty cool -- just to see how high they jumped and how high you had to set the ball for them to hit it. It was fun playing with the best players in the world."

One person who probably was not surprised by Flynn's success was her coach at Ohio State, Jim Stone.

When appraising her Olympic chances last winter, Flynn said, "The best attribute she has going for her is that she's just such a competitor. If she isn't successful, she'll find a way to be successful."

Flynn, the Post-Gazette Female High School Athlete of the Year for the 1995-96 school year when she starred in three sports (basketball, softball and volleyball) at Baldwin, is expected to play pro volleyball for Grand Rapids when the league convenes for its second season in January.