Northwestern University Athletics
The 2000 Women's Volleyball Outlook
7/31/2000 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
July 31, 2000
First Match: Sept. 1-2 at the Nebraska Invitational (Lincoln, Neb.)
There is a saying that it is always darkest before the dawn. Keeping that in mind, is it possible to make an analogy between the volleyball floor at Welsh-Ryan Arena and the rocks along the banks of Lake Michigan just a mile away, where one can go to see the sun come up over the city of Chicago every morning?
Certainly a new day is dawning for the Northwestern women's volleyball program. Keylor Chan, a former Wildcat assistant coach, has returned to Evanston to take over the reigns of the volleyball program. In addition, Chan welcomes seven new faces to the roster. That, coupled with the loss of four seniors -- all of whom were fixtures in the lineup in 1999 -- guarantees that Wildcat fans will need a program at matches, at least early on.
Not that change is necessarily a bad thing. In general, relative inexperience, coupled with a dearth of depth, can be a problem. When you play in a conference that boasts eight NCAA Tournament teams, including the eventual national champion, it can be downright devastating. In 1999, the Wildcats found that out the hard way. Playing with essentially seven players, two of them freshmen, Northwestern struggled to a 4-16 record and won just two conference matches.
Chan is not predicting any miracles, instead preaching patience. However, he is encouraged by what he sees as a change that might be coming at just the right time.
The Wildcats are still a really young team. Northwestern will go into the season with just two seniors, and will have six sophomores and six freshmen and a walk-on. The success of the team will depend upon whether or not the younger players are prepared to contribute right away and if so, NU will be a much tougher team to beat.
"Last year, we had two freshmen start, and another who was really coming along before she was injured," Chan said as he went through the lineup. " In addition, we have a senior who has started since she got here three years ago. I think the dividends of their experience will begin paying off this fall."
Another exciting sign for Chan is the attitude he sees from the players. After bottoming out in 1999, the Wildcats are determined to make a better showing in 2000.
"Everybody understands what the commitment is to be competitive in this conference," he said. "Eight of our 10 opponents went to the NCAAs last year -- that means you are facing a top-notch opponents night in and night out. I think our players saw that, and now they are ready to raise themselves to that level."
The Northwestern schedule is daunting again in 2000. In addition to the Big Ten's round-robin format, guaranteeing 20 high-intensity matches, the Wildcats endure a grueling out-of-conference campaign. Northwestern opens the 2000 season Sept. 1-2 at the Nebraska Invitational with the host Cornhuskers and Colorado State, who ended last year ranked 11th and 12th in the nation, respectively. A trip off the continent one week later yields a match with Hawaii, a perennial Top 10 program.
And yet Chan remains enthusiastic.
"The unique thing about this roster is that everyone will contribute," he said. "This year will be a total team effort."
With that in mind, here is a positional breakdown of the Wildcats for 2000:
LEFT OUTSIDE HITTER
Carmen Burbach has been a starter for the Wildcats for each of her three years on campus, and as the captain of this year's team she will be the focal point as the person who initiates both the defensive and offensive schemes. Last year, she finished among the Big Ten leaders with 289 digs. With 945 career kills and 807 career digs, she is on pace to become a 1,000-1,000 player.
Two other returnees who will battle for playing time are sophomores Sarah Ballog and Cassie McKnight. Ballog saw time in every game last year, recording 207 kills, while McKnight had 32 digs in 60 games.
"Cassie saw time mainly on the right side last year, but she will compete for time on the left this season," said Chan.
Two freshmen, Molly Kamp and Leah Delcourt, will compete for lineup spots as well. Chan is confident they will contribute before the year is out.
"As soon as they get familiar with the offensive and defensive schemes, and the intensity of college volleyball, they will help enormously," he said. "But the good news is that, for the first time in four years, two newcomers will have to earn their playing time instead of gaining it right away because of attrition."
MIDDLE BLOCKER
Chan has specific goals in mind at the middle blocker position for 2000.
"Last year, one of the biggest liabilities was not being able to shut down the opponent at the net," he said. "Our primary objective will be blocking the net and not have opponents blast the ball through our defense.
"As such, the point of emphasis to determine playing time is the ability to control the net and shut down opponents -- basically, who is the best blocker."
Four players will try to win the position. Ballog played the position last year and progressed rapidly, making 80 blocks. She is the favorite to return. Sophomore Adriana Ruhl, who saw time in 17 games last year, will try to step in and make more of an impression. Erika Lange, one of the most coveted players out of Illinois, will be joined by fellow freshman Jill Buschur in attempting to unseat Ballog as the presence in the middle.
RIGHT OUTSIDE HITTER
This position was decimated last year by Brandy Stohl's injury, as she was coming into her own as a force. She missed the spring season due to rehab, but Chan is hoping she can pick up where she left off.
"The summer will be very important for Brandy," he said, "Her biggest strength is her ability to block opponents and shut them down."
Freshman Lindsay Pavlik, a two-time All-California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) pick, is a definite threat to step right in at this position.
SETTER
You can pen Kelli Meyer in at this spot. Last year, as a freshman, she played in every game and broke a 10-year-old school record with 1,101 assists. She also added 47 blocks, 103 kills and 23 service aces, tops among all returnees.
"She has improved in her leadership ability, and I think she has a greater knowledge of what the college game is all about," said Chan. "She will only improve as she goes along."
Senior Jen Armson will provide depth at this position. She played in 29 matches last season and is a two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection.
DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST
Chan sees this position being the most competitive in preseason, as several candidates will battle for spots.
Armson played in 79 games last year, accumulating 72 digs, while sophomore Jill Fantozzi played in 36 games. Traci Lato, a senior who is walking on after playing on Northwestern's club team, will battle the two returnees for playing time, as will newcomer Erica Knavel.
"We will have two defensive specialists playing in the back row, and they are totally up for grabs," said Chan. "Any one of these athletes could see a considerable amount of playing time."
