ALL IN THE FAMILY: Nordstrom follows in parents’ volleyball footsteps

It would not be surprising if, under the shade of the Nordstrom family’s figurative family tree, a regulation-sized volleyball net was set up.

Parents Jennifer and Oskar Nordstrom were accomplished players in their day, Jennifer earning a scholarship to play for Central Michigan University, and Oskar a stellar player in Sweden and competed at the club level at the University of Michigan.

The volleyball vibes rubbed off on the Nordstrom’s twin children: daughter, Elizabeth, a three-year varsity standout who is now a junior, and son Erik, who excelled for the Salem boys’ club team this past spring.

In addition to the volleyball skills the family members have crafted with hard work and practice, they have height on their size.

“I’m 6-foot and I’m the shortest one in my family,” Elizabeth revealed, smiling. “My dad is 6-5, my mom is 6-1 and my brother is 6-3.”

Elizabeth Nordstrom focused on basketball from the age of 4 until her seventh grade year at Discovery Middle School.

That’s when her sports passion shifted from shooting to hitting.

“Playing volleyball just made me happy,” she said. “I love it because there are so many aspects to the sport; there are a lot of little things you have to get good at to be a good all-around player.”

Nordstrom has worked herself into better than a “good” player, Salem Volleyball Coach Nancy Blaylock said.

“When Elizabeth came into our program as a freshman, she was a unique player because she was as skilled as some of our players who were on varsity two or three years already,” said Blaylock. “She was very strong, confident and had great court awareness — and she’s only gotten better the past three years.

“Elizabeth is a competitor. She’s doesn’t back down from whomever is on the other side of the net. She’s very, very coachable and always gives us everything she has, every day.”

Nordstrom is not one to settle when it comes to refining her ability, Blaylock emphasized.

“She’s such a team player, asking our coaches, ‘How can I improve?’, ‘Where do you want me to play?’,” Blaylock said. “From her freshman year on, she has been able to do it all, including setting. Now, she has settled in as our No. 1 outside hitter, but she plays all around.”

Excels in classroom, too

Nordstrom has made her mark in the classroom, too, building her grade-point average to 3.8.

“I’d say biology is my favorite subject so far,” she said. “There’s so much to learn with the sciences, and I like that.”

While playing for the Michigan Elite club program, she often plays in front of college recruiters.

“There some pressure knowing they’re in the stands watching,” she said. “But I try to focus on the game and have fun.”

Nordstrom would love to play volleyball at the collegiate level.

“I’ve talked to some college coaches, but I’m in no hurry to commit anywhere,” she said. “There’s no rush. I’m just enjoying my journey.”

Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com