Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Prepare for Season-Opening Tournament
8/28/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 28, 2004
EVANSTON, Ill. - It's about that time. In less than one week, the 'Cats fly to Gainesville, Fla. to open their season at the Florida Gators' Invitational Tournament beginning Friday, Sept. 3. Since reporting to camp Aug. 12, the team has been hard at work with two-a-day practices, while mixing in four intra-squad scrimmages.
The 'Cats' latest scrimmage on Saturday was a spirited contest, highlighted by senior setter and co-captain Drew Robertson oozing with energy as she directed the 'Cats' new-look offense. As Robertson returns for her fourth year as a starter, she is the unquestioned leader of the 'Cats in their quest for a third straight NCAA Tournament bid.
In her first three years at Northwestern, Robertson proved to be an automatic, assists dispenser, averaging over 1,300 per season. Now, she stands just 809 assists shy of Liz Renius' career assists school record of 4,743.
Along with the opportunity to etch her name in the Northwestern record book, Robertson gets the chance to travel to her hometown of Long Beach, Calif. for a Sept. 14 match-up against the Long Beach State 49ers.
After Saturday's scrimmage, NUsports.com caught up with Robertson to discuss the `Cats' revamped offense, the team's talented freshman class, and... where to get a good burger in Long Beach.
NUsports.com: Head coach Keylor Chan installed a more wide open offense this year. What do you think of the new system?
Robertson: The main difference is that we'll always have three options with three front-row hitters, which will help us out a lot because we really don't have one, dominant hitter. We'll be able to spread everyone out, spread the other team's blockers and get one-on-one match ups for our hitters. We'll have two setters on the floor, with me and Stephanie Jurivich sharing that role. Basically, she'll be in the back row half the time, and I'll be in the back role half the time, so it'll be 50/50. Steph redshirted last year, but I'm so proud of how well she's played this year.
NUsports.com: After graduating four seniors and having six incoming freshmen this year, how has the team been progressing and gelling this preseason?
Robertson: The freshmen are going to be playing a huge part of our team, so it's been really important for myself, Lizzie Carlson and Christie Gardner, and other upperclassmen to help them gel with the whole team. We've hung out a lot off the court, going to movies, and trying to make them feel comfortable because I know how intimidating it can be coming in as a freshman and having to play right away.
NUsports.com: How have the freshmen been coming along?
Robertson: They've done surprisingly well for just being here a couple weeks. I'm very impressed with them. In the middle, Brittney Aldridge and Stefanie Alde have been doing really well. They've really come along, and Lindsay Anderson has been doing awesome. She's a solid hitter, who gets up really high and hits the ball really hard. She's one of the hardest hitters on our team.
NUsports.com: With Leah Delcourt and yourself as the only two seniors on the squad, have you had to assume a more vocal leadership role this year?
Robertson: Being a setter for the past four years, I've always been in the position of being a leader, so nothing has really changed. It's something I really don't have to think about, because I consider myself a natural leader. Being a setter, you just have to be a leader. It just goes along with it.
NUsports.com: You only need 809 assists to break Northwestern's career assists record. Is that something you ever think about?
Robertson: If I could get the record, it'd be nice, but it's not that big of a deal.
NUsports.com: With the team traveling to Long Beach, Calif., are you looking forward to playing in front of your hometown?
Robertson: Oh, definitely. It'll be exciting to go home for a while. I've been telling all my family and friends and hopefully they'll all be able to come. We're all going to my mom's and she's going to have food for all of us. So, hopefully we'll be able to hang out at my house for a while and enjoy a little bit of the beach.
NUsports.com: Other than your mom's place, where's the best place to get a decent meal in Long Beach, Calif., for any out-of-town Northwestern fans traveling to the match?
Robertson: Well, there's some really good Mexican food places around my house. Super-Mex is a good place to go. And if you want a good burger, you can't beat IN-N-OUT Burger.
The 'Cats have their fifth and final tune-up scrimmage Tuesday, Aug. 31 before heading to Gainesville, Fla. for their season opener against TCU on Friday, Sept. 3.
