Volleyball Preview Part 8: Cleveland State
Aug. 22, 2007
For Cleveland State volleyball and head coach Chuck Voss, the future has arrived. After years of average, run-of-the-mill seasons in the 1980's and 1990's, Voss has meticulously put his stamp on the program and rebuilt it to the point where nothing less than a championship is expected each and every year.
When Voss arrived at CSU in 2000, the volleyball program had not finished a season at .500 or above in 16 years. It took him just two seasons to turn that around as he guided the Vikings to an 18-13 mark in 2002.
Since then, the program has enjoyed nothing but success with five straight winning seasons, the first two All-Americans in program history and an appearance in the 2004 Horizon League Championship match highlighting the impressive list of accomplishments.
The one thing missing from the extensive list is a conference title and a berth in the NCAA Tournament that comes with it. But Voss knows if there is ever a time to hoist the league championship trophy, now is as good as ever.
"We have the potential to be as good as anybody in the league this year," Voss said. "If we are fortunate enough to stay healthy and play mature beyond our years, I feel that we have all the necessary tools on the court to win a title."
The Vikings will have a similar look to last year's 19-9 team that reached the league semifinals for the third straight season. Five starters, as well as record setting libero Jordan Bateman, return to give the Vikings a solid nucleus to make a run at the league title.
Add to that a talented and successful group of freshman and it's easy to see why the Vikings have all the pieces in place to make a late November run.
"We return the main core of our team from last year," Voss said. "Although we are relatively young with just four upperclassmen, we have a lot of talent and know what we are capable of accomplishing. We need to build upon the success we have enjoyed in the past."
Setter
This is perhaps the most stable position on the roster as senior Mel Snyder, a first team All-Horizon League selection last year, returns for her third season as the Viking signal caller.
As a junior, Snyder led the Horizon League in assists (12.27 apg) as she groomed several new hitters into the Viking system. That being said, Snyder should have an even better connection on the court with her hitters this season.
"Mel brings a tremendous amount of leadership to our squad," Voss said. "She is extremely calm during tense situations and knows exactly what to say in huddles. There is no doubt that she is one of the top setters in the league."
Should Snyder be forced to miss any time this season, Voss has complete confidence in sophomore backup Natalie Bauer, who saw action in 16 matches last season. A three-year letterwinner at Dayton's Chaminade-Julienne High School, Bauer was an all-district honoree as a senior year when she tallied 315 assists.
"Natalie had a tremendous spring for us and I have complete confidence in her running our offense," Voss said.
Middle Hitters
Since Voss arrived at Cleveland State in 2000, several talented middle hitters have come through the program. However, depth has always seemed to be an issue and this year is no exception as CSU must find a way to replace Danielle Siefker, who graduated with 534 career blocks to rank second all-time in school history.
Two-year starter Jenni Ramminger is the logical choice to help offset the loss of Siefker. Despite battling injuries throughout the 2006 season, Ramminger finished second on the team in blocks (102) and fifth in kills (179). She enters her junior campaign ranked ninth on the all-time blocks list at CSU (226) and sixth in career hitting percentage (.268).
"Jenni is a proven middle hitter for us," Voss said. "We are expecting more offense out of her this year and she gave that to us in the spring."
Six-foot-three freshman Amy Benz will be counted on to produce during her rookie campaign. She was a two-time All-Ohio selection at Old Fort High School and helped lead her team to a combined 60-14 mark during the three years she lettered in volleyball.
"We're expecting Amy to come in and push for playing time right away," Voss said. "She has the opportunity to start if she can come in and learn the system."
Sophomore Beth Greulich could see time as a middle hitter if the situation calls for it.
Outside Hitters
Youth, talent and depth are three words that sum up the position as the Vikings head into the 2007 season.
A total of five players are listed as outside hitters on the roster and four of them are underclassmen, including the talented sophomore duo of Liz Fazio and Alexis Korovich.
"We are expecting Liz and Lex to have big years," Voss said. "They have grown up a lot over the last year and need to play consistent on a daily basis. Having been in the program for three years (both Fazio and Korovich redshirted in 2005), they need to take on an extended leadership role and play hard everyday."
Last season, Fazio and Korovich finished first and second on the team in kills with 372 and 292, respectively. Fazio, who wound up second in the conference in kills per game (3.72), was selected to the Horizon League all-newcomer team, while Korovich earned MVP honors at the early season Oakland Invitational. She finished 10th in the league in kills (2.98 kpg).
Voss is also expecting huge strides from sophomore Kayla Lefeld who saw limited action in 26 matches last season as a backup. Lefeld did show flashes of brilliance, including a 14-kill, 12-dig double-double effort in a four-set loss to league champion UW-Milwaukee.
Senior Seanna Steinle, a four-year veteran of the program, will provide leadership and depth as an outside hitter. However, with her versatility, she could see time as a middle hitter or defensive specialist.
Freshman Lindsey Griffith, a four-time all-conference selection at Mount Vernon High School, will also vie for playing time. "Lindsey is a phenomenal athlete built in the mold of Liz (Fazio)," Voss said. "She is a bit green with ball control, but will fight for playing time."
Opposite
Sophomore Beth Greulich returns as the starter at opposite after enjoying one of the finest rookie seasons in CSU history. She was selected as the Horizon League Co-Newcomer of the Year and a first team all-league pick after leading the league in hitting percentage (.364).
Liz Fazio, Sienna Steinle and Kayla Lefeld will give Voss options to backup Greulich. Although the three have very little experience at the position, Voss is not too worried."This is one of the easier positions to learn on the court," Voss said.
Libero/Defensive Specialist
The Viking backrow will welcome back a familiar face in junior libero Jordan Bateman, who set a school-record with 457 digs last season. A scrappy defensive player with outstanding passing abilities, Bateman was voted a team captain by her peers.
"Jordan has earned the respect of her teammates because she plays every point so hard," Voss said. "She has tremendous instincts and always knows how to position herself on the court to make a good defensive play."Joining Bateman in the back this year will be sophomore Maggie Bonomini and freshman Meghan Mental.
Bonomini finished fifth on the team with 97 digs in a backup roll last season, while Mental set a school-record for digs at Olmsted Falls as a senior in garnering first team all-conference and second team all-district accolades.
"I feel like we have two players who are capable of playing libero because Maggie could step on the court and we wouldn't miss a beat," Voss said. "Meghan provides us with depth in the backrow as she adjusts to the college game."
The Schedule
The Vikings will compete in three tournaments this season, starting with four matches at the Toledo Invitational on Aug. 24-25.
Cleveland State will also appear at the Kentucky Invitational, which includes a match-up with the host Wildcats, a 2006 NCAA Tournament participant. The Vikings will round out tournament play with three matches at the Southern Illinois Invitational
The remainder of the schedule consists of the 16-match Horizon League slate along with nonconference matches with Kent State and Dayton in Woodling Gym.
For the second straight year, the Vikings won't have the opportunity to get cozy in the confines of Woodling Gym as 18 of the 28 matches will take place on the road or at neutral sites.
"It will be a challenge early in the season with so many road matches, but it worked really well for us last season," Voss said. "We are not afraid to play on the road and if you want to be a championship caliber team, you need to be able to win on the road against quality opponents."The league tournament is scheduled to take place at UW-Milwaukee from Nov. 16-18.
--Story provided by Cleveland State Office of Sports Information
