Northwestern University Athletics
Volleyball Team Opens Preseason Camp
8/19/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 19, 2002
EVANSTON, Ill. - With one week of preseason practice under its belt, the Northwestern University volleyball team is already seeing a marked improvement from last season as the Wildcats look to have a breakthrough year in the Big Ten.
Head Coach Keylor Chan likes what he has seen from his team so far, as the newcomers have become acclimated with the system and the upperclassmen are leading by example.
"It's been the most competition in the gym since I've been here," said the third-year coach. "The newcomers are finally settled in and are playing at a high level. The seniors are doing a good job of leading on and off the court."
The Wildcats had the fortune of having four team members gain European playing experience in the off-season. Erika Lange (Orland Park, Ill./Carl Sandburg), Drew Robertson (Long Beach, Calif./Long Beach Poly), Kelli Meyer (Madison, Wis./Edgewood) and Sarah Ballog (Coto de Caza, Calif./Santa Margarita) each had the opportunity to play against stiff competition, a benefit that Chan feels is translating into their play for Northwestern.
"With Erika, Drew, Kelly and Sarah, it's evident that their European experience has been valuable to them," stated Chan. "They are translating that experience on to the court and are playing with a lot of confidence."
Meanwhile, the three newcomers to the program have each come along quickly and are having solid camps.
"Christie (Gardner), Lizzie (Carlson) and Iwona (Lodzik) are all playing at a really high level," commented Chan. "It's going to be difficult to keep them off the court."
Overall, with five seniors on the roster and all six starters returning, the Wildcats are displaying the confidence of having played with one another in the past and are showing a great deal of team chemistry.
"Our ball control is much better than in the past and our passing is more consistent," said Chan. "Something that we have to be able to strive to do is maintain a high level of play every day."
Northwestern will wrap up its second week of practice with a 10 a.m. scrimmage on Saturday before it opens the season at the Spring Hill Suites Invitational in Charlotte, N.C. on Aug. 30-31.
