Seeing Beth Martin and Beth Middendorf on the court might make you smile. Looking at the setters for the Saint Louis University’s volleyball team, decked out in their baby blue bumble bee socks, one would think they were a joking. The smile would quickly vanish when the whistle blows and one of the Beth’s sets her team to a victory.

It is surprising that Middendorf and Martin have played so well. Martin, even though a junior academically, saw limited action during her freshman campaign and last year received a medical red shirt for torn cartilage in her knee. Middendorf, being a true freshman, left coach Marilyn Nolen faced with a tough situation. The results, however, have made a tough situation into an easy one. Martin is ranked sixth in the conference in assists and has totaled 1,072 for the year.

“It makes me feel good and gives me the confidence to know that I can set at the college level,” said Martin. “But I couldn’t do it without strong hitters behind me.”

Nolen said of Martin, “She’s matured as a setter. She’s really responded and has the skill to set at the level we play at. She’s really improved her defense and blocks the ball very well.”

Martin responded, “I’ve improved my defense and I’m glad she has confidence in me.”

Middendorf is just five months removed from high school in her home of Freeburg, Illinois and has already become a solid performer for the Billikens. She has totaled 353 assists and is averaging 7.35 assists per game in limited action.

Middendorf said she expected to “work hard every practice.”

Martin said, “There were five of them[freshman] and five of us[upperclassmen], so somebody had to step it up. All 10 of us have stepped up.”

“She’s been called on at critical times, Nolen said. “Her serving is very steady, solid and competitive.”

Martin and Middendorf definitely notice a difference between high school play and the college level.

“The game speed is a lot faster. Every player is a dominant hitter.”

Martin said, “In high school there were one or two on a team, but at the college level, everybody hits the ball hard.”

When asked if Conference USA’s top teams, Cincinnati, Louisville and Houston were legitimate, Martin said, “All three have been the dominate teams of the conference. They all work hard.”

The C-USA tournament is coming up soon and Martin and Middendorf are ready for the challenge of winning the championship. Martin said, “We’re determined enough to win and have the talent to win, it’s just a matter of putting the two together.”

Middendorf said, “There is a revenge factor there. We’re mad about losing and can’t wait to take it out during the tournament.”

Volleyball is not all that takes up these two setters time. They are both good students as well; hence the term student-athlete. Both are education majors. Martin is majoring in special education while Middendorf is majoring in secondary education and mathematics