With Covid-19 forcing the 2020 volleyball season to the spring of 2021. The Jacksonville State program wanted to be able to introduce its freshmen in a short series titled "Across the Net" where the JSU community can learn more about the newest members of the team before the delayed February start date.
 
This week's spotlight freshman is New Albany, Indiana, native, Courtney Glotzbach.
 
The Providence High product has a rare sense of familiarity at her new collegiate home thanks to relationships she previously formed. The 5-foot-10 outside hitter was brief high school teammates with current JSU setter Lexie Libs as a freshman while Libs was a senior, and also played with fellow Gamecock freshman Macie Garrison in club competition.
 
Those connections were certainly key in helping Glotzbach determine her new home as she admits she didn't expect to go very far to college ball.
 
"I played varsity my freshman year so we were on the same team that entire time, so I've had a good experience with her."
 
"I think I asked her some questions to see what she thought about (coming to JSU). I knew that her being here would be something I'd like because I'm such a homebody. I didn't really want to come six hours (from home) but I knew having her here and Macie would help with that home aspect of it."
 
Glotzbach had a choice following her prep career that saw more than 1,300 kills, 400 digs and 200 blocks. She had conversations with nearby Kentucky, but the Wildcats wanted to limit her to strictly defense.  
 
"I knew I would have to go somewhere not like that if I wanted to hit," said Glotzbach. So programs like Butler, Saint Louis and UNCG became options along with JSU.
 
Defense is certainly in her heritage as her aunt Ali (McCrite) Glotzbach still ranks second in career digs at Central Michigan.
 
"The way our club works in Indiana, because we're so close to Louisville and Kentucky, around 14 or 15 year you move over there to the higher-level side if you want. Once I moved over there they started transitioning me from just a hitter to defense, but I knew that I always liked hitting and I wanted to be able to do both."
 
The multi-sport athlete played basketball up until high school, before focusing on volleyball from that point. She was planning to throw shot put for the track team as a senior, but like so many other things, her spring season was wiped out due to Covid-19.
 
Any Unique Pets?
"Definitely through the years we've has some weird pets, we've had ducks. And right now my little brother has two turtles that he got from the Ohio River."
 
What's your pandemic binge-watch show?
"I would say Glee or New Girl or Jane The Virgin"
 
How has the start of college been during this time?
"It's going pretty well. We have to do our mandatory ACE (Academic Center for Excellence) hours and I'd say that's kind of like my in-person class so I get a lot of work done there. It hasn't been too hard yet so I think it's been a good transition."