Aug. 22, 2005
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Coming off a season that sometimes saw as many as four freshmen on the floor at once, Northwestern is poised to use the experience gained and lessons learned to make a return to the NCAA Tournament in 2005.
The Wildcats finished the 2004 campaign with a 10-20 record, but reeled off road wins in their final two matches of the year. Head coach Keylor Chan wants to use that momentum to spring board his still-young team forward.
"Our biggest goal is to progress with a team that is still very young in the majority," Chan says. "We want to continue to work on the technical and tactical aspects of the game to be in the top 25-30 in the nation and make it back to the NCAA Tournament."
Prior to 2004, NU appeared in the postseason for two consecutive years.
If the spring season is any indication, the Wildcats will field a dangerous squad. After posting winning records in a pair of tournaments, Northwestern traveled to 2004 national finalist Minnesota and hung a 3-1 defeat on the Golden Gophers.
"We wanted to see positive growth from the girls in the spring, and we definitely saw that," Chan says. "We are very excited for that success to carry over into the 2005 season."
Following is a position-by-position look at the 2005 'Cats:
Middle Blocker
Four Wildcats are vying for a spot at middle blocker, with incumbent sophomores Brittney Aldridge and Stefanie Alde in the mix with newcomers Cassie McLaughlin and Chelsy Hyser.
Aldridge led Northwestern in blocks last season, averaging nearly one per game and ending up with 98 total. She also paced NU with a .244 hitting percentage on 181 kills.
"We are expecting some great defensive statistics from Brittney this year, especially in blocks," Chan says.
Alde appeared in 55 games last season, averaging 1.47 kills per game. She gained significant experience during the spring and figures to be a major factor up front.
"Stefanie's versatility in the front row will be a great asset for our team this year," Chan says.
McLaughlin, a junior transfer from Florida State, figures to see time both in the middle and at outside hitter. A Cary, Ill., native, McLaughlin earned ACC Freshman of the Year honors in 2003.
"Cassie is a great competitor who has two years of collegiate training and playing experience that will help out team this year," Chan says. "It is always nice to have a player of her ability decide to come and play for Northwestern."
Hyser, a freshman, was the 54th-ranked senior in the nation by PrepVolleyball.com, and will make a serious play for serious playing time as a freshman.
"Chelsy is one of the top young middle blockers in this class," Chan says. "She has the potential to be an outstanding middle blocker."
Setter
Northwestern's setters have some big shoes to fill this season after the graduation of Drew Robertson, the Wildcats' all-time leader in assists. Sophomore Stephanie Jurivich will see a lot of time at setter, while junior Lauren Greenwood also will man the position in some offensive sets.
Jurivich was second on last year's team in assists behind Robertson, averaging 1.22 per game.
"Stephanie will need to take over the setting duties this year and we are excited to see what she can do," Chan says.
In addition to setting, Greenwood is a defensive specialist who has been beset by injuries for much of her career. She comes into the 2005 season healthy.
"Lauren is very talented and her work ethic is unmatched," Chan says. "We are excited to have her healthy whether she is setting or performing backcourt duties."
Outside Hitter
Northwestern's offense returns fantastic depth for the upcoming campaign. Junior Julie Purcell and sophomores Lindsay Anderson and Courtnie Paulus all averaged more than three kills per game last year. McLaughlin and freshman Kelly Keporos also will compete for time at the outside hitter position.
Purcell was second on the squad with a .217 hitting percentage last year.
"Julie has the opportunity to be one our top outside hitters this year," Chan says. "We expect her to be a strong leader."
Anderson led the 'Cats with 299 kills as a freshman, and had a very strong final month to the season, finishing with 3.84 kills per game in Big Ten contests.
"In addition to her strong final month, Lindsay was probably our most improved player in the spring," Chan says. "She will be a primary offensive outlet for us this season."
Paulus finished with 281 kills as a freshman while also ranking third on the team with 2.52 digs per game.
"Courtnie is our most well-rounded athlete," Chan says. "She is capable of doing any skill we ask of her."
Keporos will step in to learn from the experienced returners on the NU squad.
"Kelly comes from a very strong club background and will add good depth as a young attacker in our program," Chan says.
Defensive Specialist/Libero
Senior Christy Gardner made the transition from outside hitter to libero last season in spectacular fashion. She recorded 460 digs, breaking the NU single-season record by 10.
Greenwood, senior Lizzie Carlson and sophomore Cally Stolbach join Gardner in the backcourt as returners. Freshman Anne Bitzegaio will compete as a defensive specialist.
"Christie is probably one of the most dynamic liberos in the nation," Chan says. "We will need her to be on her game day in and day out."
Carlson finished third on the team with 18 service aces and fourth with 2.14 digs last year.
"Lizzie is a steady player, very consistent in her practicing and play," Chan says. "She will be asked to hold down the backcourt this year."
Stolbach saw action in 20 games last season, recording three digs.
"Cally has worked hard to improve her volleyball skills and brings a lot of grit and determination to our program," Chan says. "We are excited to see her be more involved in the fight for a starting spot."
Bitzegaio has a tremendous upside and will benefit from the competitiveness of the position this year.
"Anne is a great athlete from a great high school team," Chan says. "We are very thrilled to have her in our program and look for her to begin adjusting to the college game immediately."
The 2005 Schedule
After opening the season at home on Aug. 27 against UW-Green Bay, the Wildcats travel to Tucson, Ariz., for matches against Winthrop, Georgia Tech and the host Wildcats.
"Winthrop and Georgia Tech both won their conferences last year, and Arizona is a perennial power," Chan says. "This tournament will be a good test to see where our young team is."
Northwestern then returns to Chicago for the annual Chicago Challenge, this year being hosted by DePaul.
NU's Wildcat Classic will feature Southern Illinois, Brown and Kentucky this season.
"Southern Illinois and Kentucky both have entirely new coaching staffs, while Brown is a similarly academic-oriented program," Chan says. "This will be a good conclusion to a very competitive nonconference schedule."
The Wildcats open the conference slate Sept. 23 against Iowa in Welsh-Ryan Arena.
In the preseason coaches poll, NU was picked to finish eighth. Penn State held the top spot, followed by Minnesota and Wisconsin rounding out the top three.