Correspondent file photo / Robert Hayes. YSU freshman Abbie Householder is introduced prior to tip-off versus Cleveland State earlier this season. The Canfield graduate was recently named to the Horizon League’s All-Freshman Team.

Sometimes, you’re just most comfortable when you’re close to home.

It’s almost appropriate that Abbie Householder finds herself within the confines of the Beeghly Center, the same gymnasium that her mother Maria competed in from 1990-1993.

Her father, Brian, played under Jim Tressel during the early ’90s on the field directly behind Beeghly. Donning the red and white was almost always on the table, but Householder is out to pen her own legacy.

She was recently named to the Horizon League’s All-Freshman team, as the Canfield graduate found her groove as an outside hitter for the Penguins, seeing all six rotations.

“Honestly, it’s awesome because so many people from my high school also go to YSU, so they’ve been to some of the games, so it’s really cool that I get to represent this area and the local schools,” Householder said. “Some of my friends are still in high school like at Canfield and Austintown, so it’s really cool to be able to show them what is possible.”

As an outside hitter, she tallied 185 kills and 261 digs, bringing versatility to the floor while seeing all six rotations on the court.

With a roster that includes players from Germany, Serbia, Brazil, Canada and Puerto Rico, Householder does bring a sense of familiarity to the floor as a Mahoning Valley native.

That doesn’t mean that learning the college game is an overnight process, however.

“At first I wouldn’t say it was difficult, it was just kind of weird because I’m 18 years old, I’m a freshman in college and I’m playing against some 22 maybe even 23-year-olds, so it was a little weird for my brain to comprehend,” Householder said. “But after the first little bit, I obviously got used to it, but it was crazy. I just put it in my brain, this is the game.”

“It doesn’t matter who’s on the other side, what experience they have, how old they are because it’s the same sport no matter what, so I just do my part and do it to the best of my capability.”

YSU coach Aline Scott saw noticeable progress within Householder throughout the fall, especially as the freshman played a key role during a late-season run that allowed the Penguins to book their first trip to the Horizon League tournament in eight years.

“Abbie was a dominant player in high school and in club, she really didn’t have to think of the tactics of the game so much, she out jumped and overpowered most people, so I think this was the first time she needed to not only do what she normally does but think about the game plan. That was an adjustment for her, but she did it really well,” Scott said. “It took maybe half of the season for her to be able to make a play, then look at it and say, yup no, shouldn’t have done that. For her to start recognizing what she needed to do versus just going through the motions.”

“It took probably half the season, which is very impressive. Most freshmen don’t get it all year during their first season and have to train during the spring, and train to be able to understand the concepts, but Abbie really picked it up. She knew what she needed to do every day. It’s just combing the skill development and following a gameplan. It was a little hard but she picked it up … I don’t think it’s a coincidence that’s when we started winning more and things started clicking.”

YSU also saw commendations from Paula Gursching as the program’s first Horizon League Player of the Year, among other awards, as well as Josi Borum receiving a second team nod. It’s the comradery that Householder admits she enjoys the most, not just at YSU, but in volleyball as a whole.

On top of being a former Penguin standout, Maria was also Canfield’s head volleyball coach for six seasons, allowing Abbie to receive exposure to the sport at a young age.

“It was awesome, she is one of the biggest impacts on my volleyball career and was my coach for several years. Having her as my coach, I know people can see that maybe I got favored and all that stuff, but no, she pushed me so hard, and she just never let me back down,” Householder said. “Honestly, it’s just so fun. It’s never boring, it doesn’t matter if one team is a much better team or not, because something is always happening. I feel like even if you’re at the top of the game, you’re number one in the state, you can always get better — there’s no limit to the sport.”

With Householder a part of the main nucleus that’s set to return next season, the future appears to be filled with opportunity as the Penguins took a big step forward this fall.

“She’s a dedicated kid, she’s ultra smart, but she’s also been the best teammate,” Scott added. “She’s so nice and so coachable — I think that’s what makes her pretty special.”