Northwestern University Athletics
The 2000 Volleyball Season in Review
1/8/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Jan. 2, 2001
EVANSTON, Ill. - One would think a team that went 5-25 and 2-18 in the Big Ten would have few positives to point out, but the 2000 Northwestern women's volleyball team has plenty. Faced with playing one of the nation's toughest schedules with one of the youngest teams, first-year head coach Keylor Chan was forced to throw his Wildcats into the fire. The results did not always come in NU's favor, but the program has a bright future ahead.
With a lineup that started just two seniors with one sophomore and three freshmen, the 'Cats played 12 nationally-ranked teams including 2000 national champion Nebraska and all four of the NCAA semifinalists. They also played in the most dominant volleyball conference in America -- the Big Ten sent six of its 11 members to the NCAA Tournament.
And as Chan said goodbye to one of the finest players ever to wear the Northwestern uniform, he also said hello to some new players who could usher in the next chapter of Wildcat greats.
Senior Carmen Burbach ended her career as a member of the elite 1,000-kill-1,000-dig club, ending her career with 1,263 kills and 1,117 digs. She became just the sixth player in Northwestern history to accomplish the double-dip. She led the Wildcats with 310 digs during the 2000 campaign and also had 318 kills and 52 blocks (8 BS, 44 BA). Chan also said farewell to Jennifer Armson, a four-year letterwinner, and Traci Lato.
Freshman Erika Lange, meanwhile, led a stellar first-year class. As a result, she was the first Wildcat in history to be named to the Big Ten All-Freshman team. Lange, who played in every game, led the team with 393 kills (3.51 kpg) and also had 162 blocks (16 BS, 146 BA). This placed her eighth in the NU single-season record book for kills per game. Another freshman, Lindsay Pavlik, enjoyed a fine season. She had 252 kills, 260 digs and 60 block assists to go with a team-leading 32 service aces. Molly Kamp rounded out the frosh trio with 116 kills, 177 digs, 71 blocks (7 BS, 64 BA) and 25 service aces.
Kelli Meyer was the set-up person that triggered the Northwestern offense. She racked up 1,195 assists, which was fourth on the all-time NU single-season chart. Only a sophomore, Meyer is already fifth on the all-time assist list.
Northwestern began the season losing matches to then-No. 6 Nebraska, No. 13 Colorado State and Georgia at the Nebraska Invitational. The 'Cats would lose their next four matches before returning home to the friendly confines of Welsh-Ryan Arena to host the 17th annual Wildcat Invitational, where they defeated Towson, Buffalo and Cleveland State to claim the title. Burbach and Lange were named to the all-tournament team.
NU lost a tough battle to Indiana to open the Big Ten season, falling 15-2, 15-10, 10-15, 15-8. The following night provided even tougher competition as the Wildcats hosted the defending national champions, Penn State. The Nittany Lions came in ranked third nationally and heavily favored to defeat the 3-8 Wildcats, but there is a reason they play the matches. NU used a 25-kill night by sophomore Sarah Ballog -- who ended the season with 220 kills and 109 blocks -- to upset the Lions in a five-game thriller (10-15, 16-14, 15-4, 12-15, 15-12).
Life would not get any easier in the Big Ten. NU dropped matches to eventual national runner-up Wisconsin and then-No. 19 Ohio State the following week, which began a skein in which the Wildcats did not win a match in the month of October. Northwestern did pick up games from Michigan, then-No. 19 Michigan State, Illinois, Purdue and then-No. 7 Minnesota.
NU's sole win after the Penn State stunner came against Illinois (14-16, 15-12, 16-14, 15-11) on November 16. They finished the season with losses to Michigan and Michigan State.
