Sept. 2, 1999
Northwestern welcomes six returnees and six newcomers to the 1999 volleyball campaign and there is reason to believe that this could be one of the best seasons in recent history. The six returning players have helped head coach Kevin Renshler improve the program in each of his first two seasons. They have increased their number of wins each year, knocked off ranked opponents and seen their status in the power ratings rise by leaps and bounds. More importantly, the Wildcats are a legitimate threat in the Big Ten, the toughest volleyball conference in the country.
The challenge will lie in how quickly the six fresh faces can mesh with the six veterans. The incentive is there with four starters from last year gone to graduation.
?When you lose four seniors that played in virtually every match of their college careers, you lose that experience,? Renshler said. ?But, what we lose in experience, we make up for in talent. Talent-wise, we are much improved from last year.?
The talent will be anchored by the commitment of this year?s senior class. Leah Ackerman, Jennifer Higgins, Kitty Owen and Jennifer Zagorski have up until this point, played in the shadows of the class preceding them. Now the time has come for them to step out and prove that they are ready.
?During the spring, the senior class really established their own identity,? Renshler said. ?They showed that they are truly committed to improving the program and are ready for the opportunity to make this one of the most competitive teams NU has ever had.?
In addition to the senior class, Northwestern welcomes back juniors Carmen Burbach and Jennifer Armson. Burbach was named team captain in the off-season and Renshler says he may name another captain once workouts begin on Aug. 11.
The six freshman on this year?s roster all come from strong high school and club programs. They are a versatile bunch, but Renshler points out the abilities of two rookies in particular, setter Kelli Meyer and outside hitter Brandy Stohl. Both could come in and make an immediate impact not only on the team, but also on the Big Ten.
The Wildcats will need to gel quickly as a team as they embark on one of the nation?s toughest schedules in college volleyball. Last year, NU?s strength of schedule was ranked No. 12 in the country, according to the AVCA/Sagarin ratings system. Renshler went in with the same mindset this year, organizing a list of nonconference opponents who will challenge and prepare NU for Big Ten play.
?In our conference, there are no nights off,? said Renshler. ?So, I need to get my team as much experience as possible. It will pay tremendous dividends down the road.?
NU opens up the season with a tough test at Miami University on Sept. 1, then plays its next five matches on the road before coming home for the Wildcat Classic, Sept. 17-18. At the Notre Dame Shamrock Invitational on Sept. 3-5, NU faces three Top 25 teams in Notre Dame, Pacific and Louisville. On Sept. 10-11, the ?Cats get to bring their game to another part of the country when they participate in the Boise State Invitational. For its own Wildcat Classic, Northwestern lined up some stiff competition. San Jose State, Louisiana State, West Virginia and Oklahoma will all visit Evanston in the final tuneup before conference play opens up against Illinois on Sept. 24.
Here is a position-by-position look at the 1999 Wildcats
LEFT OUTSIDE HITTER
Carmen Burbach will be the focal point of this position, mostly because of her experience and because of the fact that she is the only true returner to this spot. In her first two seasons at NU, Burbach played in 61 of 63 matches, missing the last two contests of the year in 1998 due to a concussion. She was the Wildcats? second-leading attacker and digger a year ago with 3.25 kills and 2.66 digs per game.
?Carmen is going to be the glue of our team,? proclaimed Renshler.
Other players who will get a shot to play at this position are senior Jennifer Zagorski and newcomers Brandy Stohl, Cassie McKnight and Jill Fantozzi.
Zagorski was used mainly as a defensive specialist last season, but was tremendous at the net in the spring. She showed signs that she could be the one to replace last year?s big gun, Jessica Holloway.
Renshler describes Stohl as having great balance in her game, both offensively and defensively.
?She does everything really well. She could be someone who steps in right from day one.?
McKnight is described by Renshler as being extremely athletic. The fact that she played for some of the best programs in the San Diego area will help her transition to collegiate volleyball.
Fantozzi will most likely be used as a defensive specialist, but she is versatile enough to contribute at this position too.
MIDDLE BLOCKER
There are four players who could realistically play this position for NU, but the one who will be virtually impossible to beat out is senior Kitty Owen.
Owen is a dynamic athlete with the ability to be an impact player in the Big Ten. She led the team in blocks per game (0.88) last year and solo blocks (14), while missing six matches because of a sprained ankle. She posted a career-high 15 kills in the win over Ohio State, hit a personal-best .533 at Minnesota (9-for-15 with one error) and registered her first collegiate double-double with 12 kills and a career-best 10 blocks at Illinois.
?Kitty would be dangerous if she ever realized how great she could be,? Renshler said.
He sees freshman Sarah Ballog as a perfect complement to Owen because of her quickness.
?Sarah can hit all kinds of shots,? remarked Renshler. ?She has the experience and the background and won?t be intimidated by the level of play in the Big Ten.?
Although freshman Adriana Ruhl has always led her teams by playing middle, chances are that she will only see time at NU in this position as a back-up. Renshler believes that Ruhl?s blocking talents will help the team more at the right outside hitter position, but she does have the experience to contribute in the middle too.
Senior Leah Ackerman could also be used in the middle because of her ability to control a net.
RIGHT OUTSIDE HITTER
Ackerman will see most of her playing time at this spot. She is viewed as one of the best all-around players on the team and Renshler says it is essential for NU to have her on the court because of her ability to control the net both offensively and defensively.
One of the best examples of Ackerman?s capabilities came last year in NU?s home match versus Penn State. She came out of the gate on fire, tallying seven kills in the first game.
Overall, Ackerman played in 30 matches and ranked fourth on the team in hitting percentage (.184) and sixth in total kills (115).
Because of NU?s need to improve its blocking out on this side of the net, Renshler foresees using Ruhl in this position.
?Adriana adds balance to our program. She also has the ability to hit all kinds of shots along the net.?
Depending on what ends up happening at the setter position, freshman Kelli Meyer push Ackerman and Ruhl for court time.
SETTER
Heading into preseason camp, this setter position is up for grabs. NU lost its all-time assist leader and setter for the past four seasons, Liz Renius, to graduation. Renshler is still not decided on which offense he will run, a 5-1 or 6-2, but he will quickly find out as the competition between Meyer, senior Jennifer Higgins and junior Jennifer Armson unfolds.
At 6-1, Meyer has the potential to make an immediate impact here. She is said to deliver a great ball and is very smart and knowledgeable. Also, because of her size, she puts up a great block and can shut down opposing hitters.
Higgins has done a great job in learning the position after shoulder surgery slowed her progress last year. She will definitely compete for the starting job after showing signs that she can get the job done during spring work-outs. Last year, Higgins was thrown into the heat of battle when Renius went down with a knee injury at Purdue and she responded with a respectable performance.
Armson adds depth to this position, but will most likely be used as a defensive specialist. Last year as a sophomore, she accorded Academic All-Big Ten honors as did Ackerman, Burbach, Higgins, Owen and Zagorski.
DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST
Zagorski has lent her talents to this position for the last three seasons, and she will once again be counted on to deliver her deft passes to the setter in order to initiate the Wildcat offense.
?Z?s strength is her ball control,? Renshler explained. ?Ideally, we want to be running a system that puts her in the center of the court, so she is the one receiving and playing every ball.?
Last year, Zagorski was fourth on the team in digs (1.56). As a freshman and sophomore, she ranked third in digs per game.
Armson has been nagged by a number of different injuries during her brief collegiate career, but if she stays healthy, she could be an asset to the team at this position.
Newcomer Jill Fantozzi will also be vying for time at defensive specialist. A local product out of Lincoln Park High School, Fantozzi is a tremendous athlete who has the ability to control the volleyball and be an impact player in the back row.