1998 Wildcat Volleyball Outlook

August 10, 1998

From 1981-84, the Northwestern volleyball program won two Big Ten Conference championships, three Big Ten divisional titles and qualified for four-straight NCAA tournaments.

Now, coming off its best season since 1993, the Wildcats appear poised to climb back into the upper division of the Big Ten Conference.

Last season, under first-year head coach Kevin Renshler, the Wildcats finished with a 13-18 overall mark. This year, NU will have the luxury of all 11 letterwinners returning from last year's squad.

"Phase one of our rebuilding process was accomplished last year," opened Renshler. "We first had to establish a work ethic that would allow us to become a championship team. We also wanted to play competitive volleyball in the conference, which we did."

"Phase two also was achieved last year. It involved our players getting that winning feeling back. We worked toward attaining a certain level of fitness and implemented a system that would allow our players to excel and showcase their talent.

The 1998 Wildcats will continue to pressure the opponents in Renshler's "run-and-gun" style of volleyball. Last year, NU improved in many statistical categories, but the biggest jump was shown in the Wildcats' rise in the national Ratings Percentage Index. Northwestern went from 175th following the 1996 season to 79th after only nine months under Renshler's tutelage.

"I think we came together last year as a team and continued to play tremendous volleyball during spring workouts," noted Renshler. "Heading into this year, we have that additional sense of urgency with five individuals who will run out of eligibility after the season, so the desire to win is enhanced that much more."

Left Outside Hitter

The Wildcats' top threat on the left side is senior Jessica Holloway. She joined an elite club last year, becoming just the fifth player in school history to record 1,000 career kills and digs. Of those five players, Holloway was the first to accomplish the feat during her junior year.

Holloway has led the team in digs all three seasons during her career and has been NU's kill leader twice. This year, Renshler hopes to increase her presence at the net defensively while maintaining her offensive power.

"Jessica has made tremendous strides at the net, both on offense and defense," noted Renshler. "This year, we need to use her competitive spirit to influence everyone elses play on the floor."

Pushing Holloway will be sophomore Carmen Burbach, who won a starting job during last season's fall camp and emerged as one of the team's offensive leaders. As a freshman, she was third on the team in kills and also earned Big Ten Player of the Week honors in mid-October. Burbach also was the team's leader in service aces with 30.

"Carmen is one of the hardest workers on this team," said Renshler. "She was basically thrown to the wolves last year and responded well."

Also in the mix will be junior Jennifer Higgins, who is coming off shoulder surgery and, if healthy, will provide excellent ball control for the Wildcats.

Middle Blocker

Melissa Doan enters the season first on the Wildcat depth chart at middle blocker. She moves back to that position after serving as a utility player in 1997. Doan is the most experienced member of the senior class, having played in all 94 matches and in 332 of the Wildcats' 338 games since her arrival on campus. She is an extremely gutsy player who excels at many phases of the game, both on offense and defense.

"Last year, for various reasons, Melissa was forced to play many positions," Renshler said. "This year, she knows her role is to concentrate solely on the middle and improve our team's blocking ability."

The number two position will be up-for-grabs between junior Kitty Owen and freshman Tanya Canak. Owen tallied 26 blocks last season and has the experience edge. Canak enters Northwestern with impressive credentials, having led her team to three appearances in the Indiana regional finals. Both are expected to make an impact this season.

"Kitty is becoming much more comfortable with our system and definitely fits in our plans," Renshler said. "Tanya will give us someone who can control the net and will be a factor in blocking our opponents attack."

Right Outside Hitter

Sharon Fisk returns for a fifth year in 1998 and will anchor the Wildcat right-side attack. Last year, Fisk became the first Wildcat in five seasons to record 100 total blocks and also established herself as an offensive force, finishing second on the squad with 325 kills. With her move to the right side, Fisk will be looked upon to shut down the opposition's left side hitters while remaining an important cog in the NU offense.

"Sharon creates a tremendous block," said Renshler. "If she focuses on her play, then it will provide a great foundation for this team."

As with middle blocker, the second position on the right side depth chart is expected to be a battle. Junior Leah Ackerman worked her way into the lineup last year and posted a team-high 10 blocks in the final weekend of the season. Myers also is expected to contend for a position at right outside hitter.

Setter

Liz Renius returns for her final season in a Wildcat uniform. Last year, as a junior, her 1,373 assists set a school single-season record. Renius also upped her play from 10.3 assists per game as a sophomore to 12.3 as a junior, while collecting almost as many blocks last year (64) as in her first two seasons combined (73). In addition, she became much more comfortable with Renshler's new offense as last season progressed.

"Last year was spent discussing Xs and Os and Liz was more worried about ourselves than our opponents," commented Renshler. "This year, she is not only concentrating on what she has to do at that moment, but is also thinking two or three plays down the road."

Entering the fall at backup setter is freshman Ashley Ossola, who was a three-time all-area player in Michigan. Sophomore Jennifer Armson is also on the preseason depth chart.

Defensive Specialist

The 1998 season could see the reemergence of Jennifer Zagorski. Zagorski led the team in kills as a freshman, but struggled last year and missed the last month due to injury. She enters the 1998 season as the team's top defensive specialist.

"Jennifer Zagorski lit a fire under this team in the spring," noted Renshler. "She was a definite bright spot and is very important to the success of the team."

The number two spot at defensive specialist is expected to come down to Higgins, who also is vying for time at left outside hitter, and freshman Kate Hill. Hill was a first-team all-state honoree and the Champaign (Ill.) News Gazette Player of the Year as a senior.

"Kate had a terrific high school career," continued Renshler. "She definitely has the capability of coming in and playing right away."

Overall

This year's Wildcat squad is one of the most experienced in the Big Ten, and feels they have the talent to make the NCAA tournament.

"Our goals this year include moving into the upper half of Big Ten standings and pushing for a winning record in the Big Ten, which should enable us to make the NCAA tournament," said Renshler.

"We want to be consistent and play the best possible volleyball night-in and night-out. As long as we maintain our focus, the sky is the limit for this team."

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