Point U!(betcha)

Newsletter of the University of Minnesota Golddiggers Booster Club

Volume 2007 Issue 7

November 14, 2007

 

 

Point U!

 

 

 


In this issue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coach’s Corner

How ‘bout them Gophers! What a clutch performance by the team this past weekend. We got over the hump against a very good Indiana team. But we all knew that Purdue would provide an even greater challenge on Saturday night. West Lafayette is not an easy place to play. But we maintained our composure throughout and stood tall during the critical points in the match.

As I told the team in the locker room after the Purdue match, this was one of the most gratifying wins during my time at Minnesota. I felt this way because this team has experienced more frustration and bad luck than any of my Gopher squads. As the season unfolded, the hole kept getting deeper, making the climb out of the hole that much tougher. It took a great deal of character for us to win so convincingly over the weekend. I was proud of the team’s effort. They got rid of a lot of demons.

We decided to move Brook Dieter back to the left side. It turned out to be a great decision because Brook transformed herself into the player that you all watched earlier in the season. She set personal records in kills on both nights (23 vs. Indiana, and 24 vs. Purdue). Kyla Roehrig brought her hitting and blocking skills to a new level as well. Our passing and setting were stable. But most importantly, the team played with an enthusiasm that had been so elusive for the past several weeks. It looked like the Gopher Team Chemistry that has been so prevalent over the past several years. As I have been telling folks all along, sometimes we just have to be patient. Sometimes it takes a little longer for things to settle.

Anyway, the two wins move us into a tie for third place with four matches to play. We can’t win the Big Ten title. But we can surely qualify for the NCAA Tournament. I will begin to feel comfortable if we can win at least two more matches. This would put us at 17-13, and this would probably be enough to get us in. But hey, two more wins will not come easy. Remember, we lost to this weekend’s opponents (Michigan State and Northwestern) earlier in the season. They are both playing very, very well. But our players feel good about themselves right now and plan to play at the top of their game.

As it turns out, this will be the most important weekend of the season. It will likely determine whether or not we get an NCAA bid. I want to encourage all of you to come out to the Pavilion to support the team. They feed off of your energy. So we’ll see you on Friday night! Don’t forget to bring some friends. These matches will be all out volleyball warfare!

From Coach Hebert:

Head Coach

Minnesota Volleyball

 

 

From the Golddiggers’ President

 

From Larry Mickelson:

 

Hard to believe that we are coming up on the final regular season home stand of the year.  I am already lamenting the opportunity to see the Gophers in action and not being able to see my Golddigger friends for a while.

 

BUT ENOUGH OF THE WHINING!!!  This promises to be a great weekend for volleyball.  The Gophers have been playing better and seeing some positive results.  This weekend’s matches are key for them and their efforts to make the NCAA tournament.  I hope we see huge crowds at the Pavilion this weekend to cheer on our team.  To be honest, I have been a little disappointed in the attendance this year and I am hoping for packed houses both nights.

In addition to the big matches, this is a big weekend for the players as they honor their parents on Friday evening.  It will be an emotional evening, I’m sure, for parents and players. 

 

And as emotional as Friday may be, it won’t hold a candle to Saturday evening as we honor our seniors Jessy Jones and Kelly Roysland.  It has been fun to watch Kelly play this year and I am glad she has had the opportunity.  However, I feel the night will belong to Jessy Jones.  It seems like only yesterday she came bounding onto the court against Stacy Gordon and Ohio State in the regional final.  Gordon had her way all night, especially from the back row.  But that all change when Gordon attacked again from the back row only to have Jessy say “access denied!  Password required!!”  And she’s been doing it ever since.

 

I almost hate senior night.  It reminds us that we will have few opportunities to cheer on our seniors, that we may not get to see them in live action again.  And I hope that Jessy leaves us with the same impression that she treated us to that December night four years ago.

 

In the meantime, save your voices.  You will need them this weekend!

 

Point U!

Larry Mickelson, President, Golddiggers

 

Meet the Gophers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jess Jones (WHO? JESS JONES!)

Note: Photo courtesy of the University of Minnesota (although we didn’t actually ask for permission).

 

Seems just like yesterday you were put into the line-up in the regional final against Ohio State and were blocking Stacy Gordon.  Has the time gone that quickly for you?

Unbelievably fast, I am having a really hard time still grasping the fact that this time next year I will be watching the game from the audience. It is incredibly hard for me to except and everyday it gets even harder. Just filling this questionnaire out thinking it is going out for my senior night is ridiculously hard for me to do. My senior night is going to be a very hard thing for me to go through and I just can’t believe it is already here. You are going to see a very emotional Jessy Jones on Saturday for the reception.

 

What has been the best part of your time with the Gophers?

Becoming the person I am today. Being a part of this team is not just about volleyball, statistics, wins and losses…it’s about growing and learning. Making some of the best friendships that will last a lifetime is something I will always be thankful for.

 

When you came into the program as a freshman, were there any particular players who helped you get acclimated to the college game?

Jessica Byrnes and Meredith Nelson! I love them so much!

 

What was harder – the college game itself or adapting to college life with volleyball?

Adapting to college life with volleyball. It’s weird to all a sudden to be in charge of your own life! Going to class, working out, eating well, studying…Its crazy everything becomes your fault when things go wrong, there is no one else to blame it on. You have to take responsibility for your own actions.

 

Which team have you enjoyed playing the most?  The least?

I love playing anyone is going to compete and play with heart. I don’t enjoy playing teams that looks as if they are going through the motions because they are not playing for each other. They play as if it is a job and college volleyball is so far from that.

 

How do you want Gopher fans to remember you as a player?

I want them to remember me as someone who was fun to watch, had a crazy passion for the game, and who did whatever she could to help her team win the match.

 

I want my teammates to remember be as someone who always tried to lighten the mood in the practice gym and who loved them so much and still does.

 

Why the change in hair color this year?

Oh...ok.

 

For the summer my "theme" was change. I needed to change my attitude and

get back to what I believed in before I was in college. I believed that I

could do anything and the more I grew and matured the more I put limits on

myself. The truth is I STILL can do ANYTHING, anyone can achieve anything

they want if they put their mind to it. Back to the hair thing...It is

always something I said I wanted to do and I was sick of saying I was going

to do it. I seized my someday!

 

You seem to be the “go to” player for Mike during our receptions.  How do you like public speaking?

Ehhhh…its ok. When it comes to volleyball I can talk for hours and it does not bother me that much, but if I have to go up in front of a bunch of strangers then I will be really, really nervous and talk too fast. If I have confidence in my knowledge of the material I will be speaking about then I am ok. I am no Meredith because she is just much more professional than me, I am too much of a goofball.

 

What are your plans for the future?

My volleyball days are not over. I will try playing professionally overseas and I really think I am going to enjoy this experience. After the season ends I will be coaching and continue training but I am also going to give my body and break and let it heal from pretty much 16 years of getting beat up! My sister is pregnant again, so I also will wait until the baby is born to go overseas.

 

My passion for volleyball is too large to just leave it behind and “move on” because that would lead to me having an empty feeling inside. I will keep coaching, possibly at the collegiate level as a recruiter. Going along with the coaching, I want to be a  high school teacher and eventually an athletic director.

 

I guess I have some sort of direction in my life, but I change my mind A LOT!

 

 

Now for the fun stuff!

 

If I didn’t play volleyball I would… Be playing basketball

 

When I need to relax I…  listen to John Mayer, Rascal Flatts, or Colbie Caillat. I also just go find one of my roommates and start talking and laughter is bound to happen!

 

My favorite food is…  gumbo and grilled cheese!

 

The movie I could watch again and again is...  too many, 300, Hook, Love Actually, Any Disney movie

 

If I could go anywhere in the world for vacation I would go to...   if I was not with my family I would go home. But if they were with me then…Fiji (just because the water makes it look so pretty!)

 

What people don’t know about me is…  I take a great deal of pride in being a good friend. I want to be that friend that I would appreciate. I think getting a phone call at 2:00am starting with, “I didn’t know whom to call, but I thought of you” is probably the best gift anyone could ever get. I love making those unexpected gestures and making people feel special.

 

 

Announcements

 

Reception

We will be holding a Golddigger reception after the Northwestern match on Saturday night.  This will be the final regularly scheduled reception of the year and we will take the opportunity to recognize our two seniors – Jessy Jones and Kelly Roysland.  As this is usually one of the larger receptions of the year DuAnn is looking for extra angels this week to help with the reception. If you are willing/able to help please let DuAnn know on Friday or by e-mailing us.

 

Also, remember that non-Golddigger guests are always welcome but we do need to collect $2/guest to satisfy NCAA requirements.  If you are bringing a number of guests to the reception please let DuAnn or I know so we can be prepared.

 

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Bus Trip to Wisconsin

Unfortunately, the bus trip to Wisconsin has been scrapped.  We have contacted those who had signed up and will look into setting up car pools for those interested.

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Chalk Talk Scheduled for this Saturday, November 17th!!!

The final Chalk Talk featuring Associate Head Coach Scott Swanson will be held this Saturday in the Williams Arena Media Room:

      Saturday, November 17th            Prior to the Northwestern match 5:30-6:15 PM

This is a great opportunities to find out what the team’s strategy will be for that night.  Very good stuff!

 

Please note: You will need to enter thru the Daily Entrance area along University Ave.  You will need your ticket to get into the Pav, into Williams’ Arena, AND back into the Pav.  Be sure to keep your ticket with you at all times.

 

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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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Point U!(betcha)

 

From Betty Cipperly:

I've been asked the question many times - "how did you guys become so interested in volleyball?"  Well folks, some of the time that's a polite way of asking "how come someone as old as you follows volleyball so intensely!""  Well look around at the games.  I'm sure you'll see that our "senior section" is well represented - and by that I mean anyone over 50.  Age is not a pre-requisite for loving this game.  That's the beautiful part of it - you play at a young age and watch and enjoy at an old age!  (Although my husband played well into his 60's) but I can testify that the old bones sure hurt him for the following 3 days!  Larry started playing the game in the early 70's, then went on to coaching (first our sons and then our granddaughters in JO
programs).  He was also a referee for the State High School League for numerous years.  (All the time playing the game himself).  Unfortunately the era I came from did not have female sports so if you were athletic at all - you were a cheerleader.  And not today’s "dancing darlings" but the kind that know the game and really yell at  the games (you were always hoarse the next day).  I was one of these kind of cheerleaders all through high school.  When we yelled "Hold that line and hit'em hard!” we knew we were on defense at at football game - not offense!!  I so much envy the gals of today to have the opportunities they have.  I have always encouraged my Granddaughters to take advantage of every opportunity they have to excel at whatever sport they wish to pursue - and luckily it's been volleyball!  It's wonderful to see the pride of the parents whose daughters are playing in the program and also to see the enthusiasm of the young people who attend matches and embrace this great sport.  But don't ever forget that we "seniors" also love this sport and are the backbone of every good program.  So I encourage all you seniors to stand proud and loud and volunteer anyway you can to promote and encourage growth in the wonderful world of volleyball!!

 

 

Rankings

 

Rank

School (First-Place Votes)

2007 Record

Last Week

1

Penn State (35)

24-2

1

2

Nebraska (19)

23-1

2

3

Texas (6)

20-3

3

4

Stanford

24-2

5

5

Washington

23-2

4

6

California

20-6

7

7

Florida

24-1

8

8

Southern California

21-4

6

9

Wisconsin

22-3

11

10

UCLA

17-8

9

11

Hawai'i

21-5

10

12

Kansas State

20-7

12

13

New Mexico State

24-4

13

14

Oregon

18-9

20

15

Ohio

23-4

15

16

Dayton

28-1

16

17

Colorado State

19-5

18

18

San Diego

19-7

19

19

Cal Poly