Molly Atnip rarely stops smiling.

For the UTPB volleyball team, Atnip is a burst of human Red Bull, a shot of energy who always seems to have a grin playing at the corner of her lips.

She's quiet now.

Atnip just crushed a ball over the net, but the swing sent pain shooting down her right arm.

She flexes her hand. Grimaces. High-fives her teammates with her left hand to avoid the pain.

And then she turns to the net.

Time to play the next point.

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Atnip came to UTPB as an outside hitter.

From the start she dominated at the net. An impressive first season earned Atnip Heartland Conference Freshman of the Year honors.

But her shoulder paid the price.

"I took a swing, and it kind of popped out," Atnip said. "It happened the rest of the season."

Atnip had to wear a wrap to hold her shoulder in place.

She suffered torn cartilage. Stretched out the ligaments in the joint. Doctors had to surgically put her shoulder back into place.

To lessen her shoulder's workload, UTPB head coach Steve Aicinena moved Atnip to opposite hitter.

Playing opposite hitter requires an athlete to become volleyball's version of a Swiss Army knife.

A good opposite has to attack. She has to block an opponent's best hitter.

And a good opposite has to serve as a team's backup setter.

Two years after the position change, Atnip's still a force.

"That's a better spot for her to use her blocking abilities," Aicinena said. " And I can think of very, very few missed sets she's had."

Atnip ranks fourth on the team in kills, third in blocks and third in assists.

And she has a knack for making big plays in clutch situations.

"To a degree, she's snuffed the life out of our last two opponents towards the end of the match with killer blocks," Aicinena said. "She has the ability to shut people down."

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Atnip is constantly smiling. Cheering her teammates from the bench. Exchanging secret handshakes with outside hitter Amithy Henry after kills.

On the court, she's in her element. But making Atnip uncomfortable is easy.

Ask her about her acting career.

Atnip flushes. Turns from pink to lavender to maroon to red in about two seconds.

Pulls her knees up to her chest, laughs and buries her head.

"It's kind of embarrassing," Atnip said. "I always have to play roles that aren't real. I'm always the hot-girl extra."

Apparently that trademark smile can be a little contagious.

A San Antonio native, Atnip started working in show biz during high school. She's been in a few commercials, a Nike spot and played a cheerleader in "Friday Night Lights" the movie.

"She's had fun with it," said her mother Becky Atnip. "She had an offer to go to L.A., but she decided she wanted to stay close to home."

Atnip is the second-youngest of six sisters, a line of athletes - various Atnips have participated in softball, volleyball and wrestling - who sometimes hitch a ride with Becky and Eddie, their father, to Odessa to watch their sister play.

Maybe that's why Atnip has decided that she won't make a career of acting after she graduates from UTPB.

She recently switched her major from psychology to social work.

"My grandma is a social worker," Atnip said. "I've been blessed with my family, and I want to help give back. I know that sounds corny, but I want to work with children."

Her mother wasn't surprised by her daughter's choice.

Atnip has always had the kind of heart meant to provide help and support.

"Molly has a real depth of spirit," Becky said. "Social work seems more practical. She can be an actual physical presence."

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Atnip tries to hide her grimaces on the court.

But the pain is always there.

After matches Atnip receives ultrasound treatment, takes a couple of pills and wraps the shoulder in ice.

There's an outside chance she may have to have another surgery.

Seems like a lot of hassle simply to play her sport.

"I'm not going to get to play volleyball the rest of my life," Atnip said. "I only have one more year. I love playing, so this is worth it to me."

And that's enough to make her smile.

HEARTLAND CONFERENCE VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT

At UTPB's Falcon Dome

Friday's Matches

Semifinals

>> St. Edward's (15-12) vs. Incarnate Word (18-15), 5 p.m.

>> UTPB (21-13) vs. Dallas Baptist (18-14), 7 p.m.

Saturday's Match

Championship

>> Semifinal winners, 7 p.m.

Note: Tournament champion receives automatic bid to NCAA Division II Tournament.