File photo/Arizona Daily Wildcat Tucson native and Wildcat freshman Bre Ladd has continued her success a couple miles down the road from home in McKale Center.

Ladds treat daughter's teammates like family

Two months into the fall semester, it's not uncommon for students to begin missing their parents and the family life they left behind once coming to school.

That holds true for all students, but especially for athletes, who are used to having their parents to go home to after a tough loss.

It's the support and dedication of most parents that allowed their children to be successful in college athletics in the first place.

However, freshman volleyball player Bre Ladd has not had to deal with leaving her family to come play at Arizona, because her family lives just a couple miles away.

The Tucson native, who prepped at Canyon Del Oro High School, has had the luxury that many athletes do not ÷ she is able to see her parents daily.

"I am so close to my parents and my brother," Ladd said. "They have been behind me 100 percent since I started playing volleyball. It is so nice to know that I can go home whenever I want."

Arizona head coach David Rubio said that having Ladd's parents close by has definitely been beneficial for the young freshman.

"Bre is very close with her family," Rubio said. "I think it worked well that she stayed in town to go to Arizona. It is nice for her that she can go home for a home cooked meal or get her laundry done, but at the same time to have the independence of living in the dorm."

Ladd said that she loves having her parents in town, and feels lucky since most of the other players don't have the opportunity to see their families so frequently.

However, Ladd said that her parents ÷ Bob and Tammie ÷ treat each player of the team like a member of their own family.

"I feel bad, especially for the other freshmen who can't see their parents," Ladd said. "We have good support on this team. All the parents have been great to all of us."

Rubio said that having Ladd's parents in town has been especially helpful for fellow freshman Kim Glass, whose family lives in Lancaster, Pa.

"Having parents in town is helpful for the players whose parents live far away," Rubio said. "It has especially been great for Kim. All kids get homesick during the semester and it is nice to have some people in town that are like family."

Glass agreed with Rubio that having a family presence is definitely a benefit for the team.

"No one can replace your family," Glass said. "They are your family, but it is nice to have support in town. It's really nice."

The parental support that Ladd receives is a definite plus, but with 11 underclassmen on UA's roster, more than just Ladd has benefited from her family support.