In this issue
From
Coach Hebert:
Buckle up. Get ready
for just about anything when you watch the 2006 Gopher volleyball team. One
night our offense is humming. On the next night it is our defense that takes
over. And on another night our serving and passing are rock solid.
The problem is, we have
yet to play a match where all three of these elements are simultaneously at a
high level. That’s right. We have played well this season and have yet to put
it all together.
The impressive thing
about this team is the fact that they are hanging together and finding ways to
win. They are finding ways to score the important points. Against OSU, for example,
we were controlling the fourth game. But we were allowing OSU to stay close
because of our unforced errors. Kyla had been tentative throughout the match.
But at 28-28 she took the next two swings and drilled both for points. Final
score: Minnesota 30-28. Match over. This is the way it has been all season. It
is a quality we lacked last year.
We had designated the
first six conference matches as The Uphill March to Columbus. We knew that it
would be a difficult stretch with four of the six matches on the road. We are
elated to emerge with a 5-1 record and a second place tie with Purdue. This
makes Saturday night’s showdown with the Boilermakers even more compelling!
Some observations to
share with you all:
v
Kelly Bowman returned to All-American form against
Ohio State
v
Rachel Hartmann was stellar all weekend, playing
with a difficult hand injury
v
Christine Tan continues to play with the poise
of a veteran
v
Malama Peniata is a VERY good volleyball player
v
Meredith Nelson is playing like a SENIOR
v
We escaped the dreaded PSU/OSU road trip with a
split for the past five years … the only team in the Big Ten who can make such
a claim
v
Kelly Schmidt and Rachelle Hagerty are close to
being game-ready
v
The ham and egg combination of Cumpston and
Vatterrodt on the left-side gives our line-up great flexibility
v
Dave Boos’s game plans are brilliant and a key
reason for our success
If I were to name one
common theme over the past several matches it would be that our serving and
passing have been very consistent. You may remember that everyone was worried
that with the loss of Paula Gentil to graduation the Gophers would struggle in both
areas. But this has not happened. Our passing game is anchored by Bowman,
Peniata, Cumpston and Tan. They have been remarkably resilient. And the entire
team has turned up the heat in the serving game. I guess it’s true what veteran
volleyball observers say: If you can serve and pass you can compete at a high
level.
We’re going to need you to get behind us this weekend for two very
important matches against Indiana (Friday) and Purdue (Saturday at Williams
Arena). And don’t forget that we host Wisconsin on WEDNESDAY of the following
week. This is likely the major homestand of the season. Bring your friends.
Heck, bring your enemies! We need all of you!
Head Coach
Minnesota Volleyball
From John Oravis:
Hello Golddiggers!
Congratulations
to our Gopher
volleyball team on its 11-5 overall record, and 5-1 Big Ten record. The
team just completed the always difficult road trip to State College and
Columbus, earning a split. The OSU match was particularly impressive, as the Gophers
lost the first game (23-30) before regrouping for the win.
A reminder that
Saturday’s match will be held in the University’s Williams Arena and the Golddiggers’ post-match reception will be in the Williams Arena Clubroom (3rd
floor, near the elevator). There will also be a Coaches’ Chalk
Talk for current Golddigger
members before the Purdue match (5:30-~6:15pm) in the
Williams Arena Media Room (second floor, near the elevator).
On an administrative note, club treasurer John Thompson and I attended mandatory annual booster club officer compliance training last week. It’s important for all of us to understand that as the Golddigger volleyball booster club and individual Golddiggers we are considered to be representatives of University of Minnesota athletics and their interests. Special NCAA and Big Ten rules, regulations and procedures pertain to us and our relationship to our student-athletes, prospective student-athletes, and with regard to “extra benefits” (never permissible) and the recruiting of athletes and/or prospective student-athletes. One of the close-to-home examples that I can think of is our own Gopher volleyball ballgirl program: Per NCAA regulations and for a variety of reasons, once a ballgirl or a potential ballgirl becomes of “recruitable age” (i.e., age ~13 or eighth grade), they are no longer eligible to be ballgirls for our program. Of course, there are many, many NCAA rules and regulations that boosters and coaches must follow. A link to the University of Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletics Compliance Office can be found at the gophersports.com home page.
http://www.gophersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=8400&KEY=&ATCLID=272953
Bottom line: We
Are Minnesota! -- and We Are ... Compliant!
Finally, and on a more
upbeat note, please join us for the (recently-renovated) Gopher Volleyball Locker Room
ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony and program. See details in the
Announcements below.
Point U!
John
Oravis, President, Golddiggers
Katie Vatterrodt, Kelly Fallon
and Malama Peniata are this week’s featured Gopher interviews. We thank them all for their time.
Katie Vatterrodt
How does it feel to be a starting OH in the
Big10?
It really is a dream come true. I have worked long and hard on my mental and physical game, and to be playing with this team at this level is just amazing.
Just how difficult an adjustment
is it from high level JO volleyball to high level Division I volleyball?
On top of the different style of volleyball, classes and moving out of home were also big adjustments. There is definitely no way to prepare for such an adjustment. JO volleyball is based more on natural skill, [and] the volleyball we play here at Minnesota is a lot more mentally challenging. The whole team must work as a unit, and each individual must do their part. It’s a very different style and took me a little more time to learn, but that is what makes us unique. I am still learning and adjusting in practice everyday.
What has been the most difficult
adjustment?
I think the most difficult change for me was finding a balance. Being a Division I athlete requires a lot of hard work and time management.
Between lifting, practice, games, team commitments, school, and trying to find time to be social, life can get a little crazy. I had to find a routine that worked for me, and I am more comfortable this year.
What is your favorite memory from
this summer’s European tour?
There are way too many! But if I had to pick, I would say playing Croatia in Slovenia. It was really interesting to talk to them about where they are from and how life is different there. Venice was probably my favorite city though. Great shopping. :)
Which Gopher teammate makes you
laugh the most and why?
Depends on the day. :)
An odd question (perhaps): Does
playing the cello make you a better volleyball player? Does playing volleyball
make you a better cellist? In short, is there anything you utilize from the one
discipline to help you with the other?
Well ... I never really thought about it that way*, but the main thing I would transfer from both is that perfection is impossible. Volleyball is a game of the fewest mistakes. Playing a cello or any stringed instrument is very difficult because it is almost impossible to be in tune on every single note. Practice does [help you] improve, but more importantly practice makes permanent. In both skills it is important to practice as much as possible to avoid mistakes, but more importantly to practice how you want to play.
[*Editor’s note: we thank Katie for not saying “that’s the most ridiculous
question I’ve ever heard.”]
Kelly Fallon
What’s been the biggest
difference for you from your frosh season to your sophomore season?
The biggest difference for me is actually why we do the system we do and [to] know my part in it. It was a huge shocker to come in as a freshman and have to learn different techniques and game plans. Spring really helped me [to learn] them even better, so it has been great this year knowing what we’re talking about in scouting sessions and practice ... it’s a great feeling to be like ... whoa, I know what he’s talking about.
What do you think it takes to be
a great defensive specialist?
You definitely have to be fearless. We throw our bodies around everyday just to keep a simple ball off the ground. It really does sound ridiculous. Ever since I started playing I have never been afraid to dive all over. That’s what I think is [the] first thing to start with to be a good DS.
Everyone notices that you are now
setting one side of the court during warmups. Rumor is that you may be the
team’s backup setter in 2007 -- can you tell us a little bit about your “conversion”
to a setter? What’s involved? What experience do you bring to it?
Not many know it, but I trained in setting in the 7th grade. I was supposed to be a setter in a 6-2 offense on varsity my freshman year in high school. I was also supposed to play middle ... imagine that ... . I’m short for this team, but I was tall back in Burlington. My coaches then realized I was the best passer on the team so I ended up just playing middle all the way around.
But every year through high school I continued to go to setters’ training. My club coach in my 18s year said I missed my calling by not being a setter. So it’s always been something I have done. Nothing is set in stone for next year. Who knows what will happen?
Which Gopher teammate makes you
laugh the most and why?
I live with Kelly Schmidt and she probably makes me laugh the most because I’m around her so much! I love singing with her and hearing her stories.
50% of your teammates have
selected you as the one who makes them laugh the most. OK, this was actually 3
out of 6 teammates, but it’s still a trend. Any comment?
Nah, no comment. Just I’m glad I make people happy. But I think they’re laughing at me more than with me.
What’s your favorite memory from this summer’s European tour?
Probably when Ronni (our trainer) says to me ... “Fallon, I think I sweat more than you.” I clearly sweat the most on the team, and since there was no a/c in Europe, she realized she is the new winner.
Malama Peniata
Can you tell us a little about switching from DS to libero? How difficult was this transition?
The transition to libero has been really fun. I have been able to stay in the game more and direct more traffic in the backcourt since I have been playing this new role.
How about from playing middle
back to playing (mostly) left back?
At first I did not like playing left back and [still] prefer[red] middle back because I felt like I had more freedom [there]. Over the spring and summer I have been able to adjust and feel just as comfortable as I did when I played in the middle back. Each position gives a different look and angle at the ball so I like both now.
Which Gopher teammate makes you
laugh the most and why?
Probably Kelly Fallon. She makes the most random comments all the time and is probably one of the best dancers on the team. :)
What’s your favorite memory from
this summer’s European tour?
Probably when we did a hike up to the castle in Prague, Czech Republic. We kept going up these long stairs and when we did reach the castle (which was huge!), we had to hike up a little tower to get up to the lookout point that was [even] higher up. I remember counting each step because it just kept going and going, but when we reached the top, the lookout was breathtaking. It was worth all the sweat and time!
What’s the real scoop on the
Marci-Malama name “change”? There's a rumor it was because Dee switched to
Doneila. True?
Malama (Marci) Alofa Peniata is my full name. My name means bright love in Samoan. I decided to use my real name because Dee and I decided we didn’t want to be called by our nicknames anymore.
What are your post-graduate
plans? And plans for volleyball in the future?
Either go back to grad school or keep playing volleyball. I really enjoy doing the beach volleyball thing, so I know I will continue to do that in the future. If I don’t go back to school right away, I am going to start working. :)
What has been your favorite
memory as a Gopher (so far)? How about your proudest accomplishment?
Going to the national championship in 2004 after beating USC in the semifinals. That whole entire season was a joyride from the beginning!
+ + +
Note: Photos courtesy of the University
of Minnesota (although we didn’t actually ask for permission).
Reception
A Golddiggers
reception is scheduled for Saturday night, after the Purdue match, in the Williams Arena Clubroom. Remember, the
receptions are for Golddigger boosters only. You can, however,
bring guests -- with a $2 per guest charge paid at the reception.
Hearing the Boos
The always popular Chalk Talks with Associate Head Coach Dave Boos are scheduled for the Williams Arena Clubroom (or possibly the Williams Arena Media Room, one floor down) on the following dates:
Saturday, October 14th Prior to the Purdue match in Williams Arena, 5:30-6:15pm
Saturday, October 28th Prior to the Penn State match, 5:30-6:15pm
Saturday, November 11th Prior to the Northwestern match (8:00pm start), 6:30-7:15pm
Locker Room Ribbon-Cutting
The ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house for the women’s volleyball locker room renovation is scheduled for Friday, November 17th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm in the Sports Pavilion. Please RSVP to the Golden Gopher Fund office by Monday, November 13th (612.626.4653). All Golddigger members are invited. Please note that there is no match on November 17th.
Also, we would very much like to hear from YOU! Former Gophers, out-of-town members, Hollywood celebrities -- whomever -- please email us at the address below, let us know what you are up to, pass on suggestions or questions for the Point U!(betcha), or hammer the coaching staff for their time-out usage -- it’s up to you. The coaching staff has also generously offered to answer questions submitted to them through this newsletter.
We look forward to all your input.
A square volleyball is going to bounce funny.
For those of us old enough to remember the days of square volleyballs (or so old our memories can no longer be trusted), this adage still rings true, both literally and metaphorically. For those of you who are unaware of the evolution of the sport -- from the days of square volleyballs, barbed wire fences, and twenty people to a side, all we’re saying is that sometimes you just have to go with the flow. Or the bounce, as it were.
The bounce sure didn’t seem fair earlier this season, but tons of credit are due the staff and players for their resiliency in battling back to 5-1 in the Big10. However, since tons of credit is probably another NCAA violation, we hope they all understand if we keep it to a simple “Well done, Gophers!” It is no small feat what they have accomplished: The team has returned to the AVCA’s Top 25 Poll (although still underrated) and the current Pablo ranking has them at #12 in the country!
This resiliency was on display this past weekend as well. After losing game one to PSU -- and really not playing well (hitting .000 as a team) -- the Gophers regrouped to take game two convincingly and were only a couple of points away from taking the Lions to a fifth game. Likewise, led by Kelly Bowman’s blistering .542 hitting percentage, the Gophers rebounded from a game one loss to OSU on Sunday, winning the next three games.
Turning to the future, there are several tough matches ahead, but the next three -- five of the next six, as a matter of fact -- are at home. Dare we believe that the bounces are becoming more kind, or at least more true? Yes, we dare!
Go Gophers!
(Finally, and not exactly on topic, we are curious as to how Meghan Cumpston and Katie Vatterrodt feel about being referred to as the “ham and egg combo” by their head coach. Perhaps everyone on the team has a nickname from the menu? Or perhaps this has something to do with the days when every match was stopped half-way through for breakfast.
Editors note to selves: Check out the work coming out of the Research Department prior to the next issue.)
Indiana FRIDAY,
10/13/06 (7:00pm)
The Hoosiers upset the Michigan Wolverines in Ann Arbor, then ranked #19 in the country, to open their Big10 season. They have since lost five straight matches and are tied for last in the conference with Iowa. Indiana’s two most recent matches were 3-0 losses, the first at home to Purdue, and the second at Iowa.
The Hoosiers, who had 23 blocks in their win over the Wolverines, only had 7 combined in the Purdue and Iowa matches. Junior rightside Lauren Ditteon had 14 kills and hit .400 against Purdue. Frosh Allison Regas and junior Caitlin Watts continue to split the setting chores for Indiana.
http://iuhoosiers.collegesports.com/sports/w-volley/ind-w-volley-body.html
(website)
http://iuhoosiers.collegesports.com/sports/w-volley/mtt/ind-w-volley-mtt.html
(roster)
http://iuhoosiers.cstv.com/sports/w-volley/stats/2006-2007/teamcume.html
(stats)
Purdue SATURDAY,
10/14/06 (7:00pm)
Purdue is now ranked #9 in
the AVCA poll. The Boilermakers won their fourth
5-game match of the Big10 season this past Saturday when they defeated the
Hawkeyes in Iowa City. With that win, Purdue is tied for second place in the
conference with the Gophers, their only loss 0-3 to Penn State at
home.
Danita Merlau led Purdue, offensively, this past week with
17 kills against Indiana and 29 in the Iowa match. The Boilermakers continue to
employ both frosh Sam Gray and senior Lindsay Shondell as their setters,
although Gray is seeing more action and has over twice the assists.
Merlau was named Big10 Player of the Week for her
performances. Kelli Miller, in addition, was named Defensive Player of the Week
after averaging 5.1 digs per game, including 32 against Iowa.
http://purduesports.collegesports.com/sports/w-volley/pur-w-volley-body.html
(website)
http://purduesports.collegesports.com/sports/w-volley/mtt/pur-w-volley-mtt.html
(roster)
http://purduesports.cstv.com/sports/w-volley/spec-rel/pur-w-volley-CumulativeStats.html
(stats)
Wisconsin WEDNESDAY 10/18/06 (7:00pm)
The Badgers are coming off a rough weekend, the same OSU/PSU
road trip the Gophers
had, only in reverse. On paper, they had the easier schedule, but they came
away 0-2 and are now 4-2 on the Big10 season. Wisconsin was up 2-0 on Ohio
State, but lost 28-30, 25-30, 30-27, 30-28, 15-12. Those were their first games dropped in Big10 play.
Unfortunately, Penn State swept them the next night, so they now have a
different sort of streak going for them.
Frosh Brittney Dolgner took 71 swings in the Buckeye match,
with 25 kills, but only hit .197. Taylor Reineke added 10 kills and 9 blocks
and Audra Jeffers had 15 kills. Dolgner was the only Badger with double figure
kills (15) against the Lions and the team only managed 6 blocks, usually their
strength. Wisconsin is also battling injuries to Maria Carlini (foot) and
Jeffers (four fractures in her back). Carlini did not play in the PSU match.
There is a good chance the Badgers will be playing two frosh at outside hitter -- Dolgner and Caity DuPont -- when
they face the Gophers.
Minnesota’s own Nikki Klingsporn, the 2005 Ms. Volleyball Minnesota and the 2005 Star Tribune Player of the Year, appears to be redshirting this season for the Badgers.
http://www.uwbadgers.com/sport_news/vb/headlines/headlines.html?sportid=133
(website)
http://www.uwbadgers.com/sport_news/vb/bios/roster.html?sportid=133
(roster)
http://www.uwbadgers.com/sport_news/vb/stat_poll/?sportid=133
(stats)
The Gophers play Iowa in Iowa City next Friday (10/20), but return home to face Ohio State and Penn State the following weekend (10/27-28).
The CSTV/AVCA Division I Coaches Top 25 Poll #6 was released 10/9/2006. The link to the complete rankings follows, but the top 10 were: 1--Nebraska, 2--Penn State, 3--UCLA, 4--USC, 5--Washington, 6--Stanford, 7--California, 8--Florida, 9--Purdue, and 10--Texas. In addition, Wisconsin is #14, Ohio State is #16 and the Gophers are #23 (up from #24 last week) in this poll.
http://www.avca.org/collegiate/dipoll/dipoll10-9-06.asp
The Gophers continue to fare better with the RichKern.com Volleyball Poll voters, where they are ranked #19.
The Gophers are at #12 in the 10/9 Pablo rankings.
http://www.richkern.com/vb/rankings/PabloFAQ.asp FAQ
Conference standings from around the country as of 10/8/06:
|
Big 12 |
W/L |
Overall |
|
Pac10 |
W/L |
Overall |
|
SEC |
W/L |
Overall |
|
|
Nebraska |
7-0 |
15-0 |
|
UCLA |
6-0 |
19-0 |
|
Florida |
7-1 |
14-2 |
|
|
Missouri |
7-1 |
13-4 |
|
USC |
6-0 |
17-0 |
|
LSU |
7-1 |
15-2 |
|
|
Oklahoma |
6-1 |
14-3 |
|
Stanford |
4-1 |
13-2 |
|
Alabama |
6-2 |
11-6 |
|
|
Texas |
6-2 |
11-4 |
|
Washington |
4-2 |
14-3 |
|
Tennessee |
6-2 |
15-3 |
|
|
Colorado |
5-2 |
9-5 |
|
California |
3-2 |
14-2 |
|
Kentucky |
4-4 |
11-5 |
|
|
Iowa State |
3-4 |
11-6 |
|
Oregon |
2-3 |
12-3 |
|
Arkansas |
3-5 |
10-6 |
|
|
Baylor |
2-5 |
13-6 |
|
Arizona State |
1-4 |
9-7 |
|
Auburn |
3-5 |