Volleyball Preview Part 4: UW-Green Bay
Aug. 16, 2005
Four starters return and a sophomore steps into the setter role for the Phoenix heading into the 2005 season. With just two seniors and one junior on the squad, the Phoenix will once again sport a youthful lineup on the court. Head coach Debbie Kirch enters her eighth season at the helm, ranking second in tenure among Horizon League coaches.
The young 2004 squad finished strong, winning three straight matches before bowing out of the league tournament to eventual champ Loyola.With four straight wins in its five-game matches, Kirch and the Phoenix showed proof of a team coming together and improving as the season progressed.
The top two hitters return for the Phoenix, as well as a mainstay in the all-important libero jersey. Newcomers include a pair of defensive specialists that figure to make an early impact with the new flexibility allowed by the change to the substitution rules. Also new to the team will be a pair of six-foot hitters who will both push for court time in their rookie collegiate campaigns.
SETTER
Sophomore southpaw Betty Slinger steps into the starting setter spot after gaining valuable experience as a freshman, both as a setter in an occasional 6-2 offense and as a back row specialist. Slinger saw action in all 110 games as a rookie for the Phoenix.
Freshman Megan Elfering will serve as Slinger's backup in addition to contributing in the back row as a defensive specialist. Elfering helped lead Westosha Central to four straight state tournament appearances including back-to-back Wisconsin high school state championships.
MIDDLE BLOCKER
Senior Jill Smits continued her steady improvement last season, culminating in first team all-Horizon League honors after ranking among the league leaders in hitting percentage (.263) and blocks (1.07). Smits will be a focal point for the Phoenix in her final season, both offensively and defensively.
Local product Abby Bergsma is the tallest player on the Phoenix roster at 6-2. The Appleton East grad will pair with Smits to fill the middle blocker spots in the front row.
RIGHT SIDE HITTER
Leah Steinbauer returns to her right-side hitting spot after a solid collegiate debut as a starting freshman last season. With a year of experience to her credit, Steinbauer's increased consistency and her strong block will be assets on the Phoenix front line.
Freshman Cathy Turner hails from the same Northern Lights Volleyball club that produced Phoenix teammates Slinger and Steinbauer. Turner may fit best into the right-side hitter mold, but the two-time Minnesota state track qualifier also brings athletic ability that will allow her to challenge for court time at any of the three hitting spots.
OUTSIDE HITTER
Just one year removed from a full-time back row defensive role, senior Jackie Rosen exploded on the offensive scene for the Phoenix last season, leading the team and ranking sixth in the conference with 379 kills. Rosen also notched career-best totals of 32 service aces and 48 blocks last season.
Competition for the number two outside hitter spot looks to be fierce among the returning players. Sophomores Desi Dolgner, Liesl Tesch and Alison Walasinski all saw action on the outside last season. The addition of two rookie defensive specialists will allow the second-year hitters to focus on their front row responsibilities. All three sophomores improved over the off-season, seeing increased reps at competition speed and working on technique.
DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST
Junior Sarah Rauen led the team with 442 digs last year, her first in the libero jersey full time. A dependable and consistent presence in the back, Rauen recorded double-digit digs totals in 25 of 29 matches last season for the Phoenix. In addition, freshman defensive specialist Chelsea Lyga will add depth to the back row defense with extensive club level experience.
THE SCHEDULE
One of the toughest schedules in team history faces the Phoenix in 2005, beginning with a road date at Northwestern Aug. 27.
The first of three straight weekend tournaments will be at Northern Illinois Sept. 3-4. The strong field includes the host Huskies, the Phoenix, Indiana State, Austin Peay and the Big Ten's Illinois.
The North Dakota State tournament will give the Phoenix a measuring stick on a national scale when Final Four participant and preseason No.2-ranked Washington faces UW-Green Bay in the Sept. 9-10 event in Fargo, N.D. Also in the tourney are the host Bison, South Dakota State and Sam Houston State.
The sixth annual AmeriHost Classic in Green Bay features Western Illinois, Central Michigan and a repeat appearance by North Dakota State Sept. 16-17 at the Phoenix Sports Center.
In addition to the double round-robin league slate, the Phoenix will travel to instate rival Marquette Oct. 12 and regional foe DePaul Oct.18 to round out non-league play.
Story Provided by Brian Nicol, UW-Green Bay Sports Information
