Every great team needs that one special player they can count on when the pressure intensifies.

The SF State women’s volleyball team has found that person in Beth Perkins.

The 20-year-old junior outside hitter is showcasing her volleyball skills on the court this season.

The talented volleyball team is trying to revitalize the program once again at SF State.

Perkins has been playing sports all her life from soccer to basketball.

“I have been in the gym my whole life,” said Perkins .

After graduating high school from Woodland Christian in 2006, Perkins took her talent to play volleyball at Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham, Ore.

The outside hitter excelled and was awarded MVP in the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges.

Perkins also received Second Team All-American and was a two-time All Conference selection.

Perkins felt it was time to come back to California.

Realizing that SF State was the place to be.

Perkins was a little nervous at first. She did not know what to expect with a new team.

But the star athlete saw this as a great opportunity because the Gators are setting the level of how it’s going to be.

“My teammates are great and we have a lot of great athletes on the team,” Perkins said.

“I think we are doing really well and once we find our rhythm and click together then we are going to play even better.”

One of those teammates is freshman libero Christina Johnson.

“When [Perkins] is out on the court, just by the way she plays, is a leader,” said Johnson.

Perkins’ coach Michael Patton is also impressed with the performance of the outside hitter.

“Beth has been pretty consistent and done a nice job offensively by attacking the ball and getting some kills,” said Patton.

“Her vision on the court has impressed me so far. She has a bunch of tools that she can pick from that helps make her be successful.”

When Perkins is not dominating the volleyball court, she enjoys hanging out with friends, shopping, traveling and going to the beach.

The powerhouse outside hitter, who is majoring in liberal studies, hopes to receive her teaching credential and still play volleyball down the road.

Some athletes have a certain routine or pre-game ritual.

For Perkins she always has to put her left kneepad on first before she puts on her right kneepad.

“Always left before right,” Perkins said.

The Gators may be a young team but the talent and promise is right there.

Perkins is right in the middle of it all trying to build the volleyball program at SF State.

“We look to her when we need guidance on the court,” said freshman middle-hitter Brittany Powell.

Teresa Perkins, mother of Beth said, “Beth has been a very consistent player through out her athletic career.”

“She shows up every game, and it seems the bigger the game the better she plays.”