In the new era of college athletics, it is very hard to find any athlete that started their career at one school and ended up sticking with that school. Then there’s Ana Heath.
Heath has waited her turn and it has paid off. She has now put herself in a position where she can do almost anything and everything for Arizona volleyball that she is asked of by her coach Charita Stubbs.
“My hat’s off to Anna, just to go through everything she’s gone through,” said Stubbs. “My heart goes out to someone who’s
as committed as she is. She’s very stoic in nature.”
During her freshman season, she played as the backup setter and serving specialist. She earned her way to start as setter the following season.
However, last season Avery Scoggins took the starting spot which left Heath to have to take a step back. That did not stop her from continuing to try and perfect her craft.
“That’s is how I’ve always thought, ‘what’s the best way I can help my team in what they need?’, my philosophy is whatever the team needs, and kind of being that utility, just ready to go for whatever,” said Heath.
Up Next for Arizona Volleyball
UTEP Miners (8-1) @ Arizona Wildcats (6-2)
When: Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 6 p.m. MST
Where: McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz.
Streaming: ESPN+
Stats: Arizona Live Stats
The dedication from Heath to stick with her team, her coaches, and her school is something rare that is rarely seen from collegiate athletes in today’s world.
She was not even sure she wanted to be a volleyball player, but one thing was for certain, she wanted to be a student athlete at the collegiate level.
“I had always had a goal to play a sport, be a student athlete in college,” said Heath. “It’s something my dad and I talked about when I was running track, and that conversation just continued when I picked up indoor and eventually when I switched to beach.”
This season, she has taken a bigger role as a hitter. It showed in the road win against Boise State when she had 19 kills.
“I’ve always loved hitting,” she said. “I started out my volleyball career as a hitter and up in the front row, so kind of just ending my volleyball career with it’s kind of like a full circle moment, start to finish for me.”
Despite not playing as much as she probably wants to, Heath keeps her mindset on the team and what it needs.
“There’ll be times where she’s on the sideline and she’s okay with that, because it’s all about that confidence piece,” said Stubbs. “That’s why we try to make a big deal about the little things that they do.”
Aside from the love of her team, her coaches, and the sport, what has kept Heath here? For one thing, her education, but also the love for the city of Tucson.
“I love Tucson, and I love my teammates and the culture we have,” said Heath. “I love being outdoors in this environment and so close to the mountains. I also really enjoy my degree. A lot of things with transferring is you’re not guaranteed to continue where you finished in your education.”
Heath and the Wildcats now look to get back on track and start a new winning streak, following losses against Washington and San Diego last weekend. If Arizona is to make NCAA tournament this year, Heath and other players will need to continue to always be ready for when they are called upon.
