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Golden Hurricane Volleyball Team Eyes Continued Success
8/24/2001 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Aug. 24, 2001
Tulsa, Okla.- - Excitement for the start of the 2001 University of Tulsa volleyball season is at a fever pitch. After finishing the 2000 campaign with the program's first winning season since 1980, the Golden Hurricane look to build on last year's 20-13 record. "With four new players and graduating three important 2000 seniors, we have quite a challenge in 200," said TU head coach Matt Sonnichsen. "The players who were lost will be missed. However, we will have a nice balance of experienced leadership and youthful talent."
Outside Hitters
For the second straight season, the outside hitting position may be the most competitive spot on the squad. With the loss of Kristien Van Lierop, the Hurricane will have to replace the team's top hitter for four consecutive seasons. "This is the one position that we have the most depth and is the most competitive," said Sonnichsen. "It will be a week-in and week-out battle to see who gains those three positions on the floor." Senior Kara Hidinger returns as a four-year starter. An outside hitter, Hidinger nearly tripled her output from the 1999 season. Her 310 kills last year placed second on the team. Her 29 service aces led the team and her 321 digs was the second most on the squad. "Kara has improved her strength and ability each season. She underwent a spring shoulder surgery over the summer and is still undergoing rehabilitation. We will look to Kara to provide senior leadership and bring stability to the court," said Sonnichsen. A pair of juniors, Tammy Leuer and Amber Martin, will return for their third years. Leuer made the biggest improvement for the Hurricane in 2000. Starting in all 33 matches, Leuer recorded TU's only triple-double of the season against Texas-Pan American with 11 kills, 10 assists and 18 digs. She improved her hitting percentage from (-.019) as a freshman, to .225 her sophomore season. "Tammy really stepped up for the 2000 season," said Sonnichsen. "She gave us a much needed attack option behind the setter and allowed us to open up the offense a bit." Martin saw action in 53 games, averaging 2.00 kills and 2.30 digs per contest. Twice Martin recorded double digit kills with 10 coming off the bench against Grambling State and SMU. "Amber gives us flexibility in our roster. She will play an important role in 2001," said Sonnichsen. One of the team's tallest players will be freshman Kristin Bailey of Centennial, Colo., a 6-0 hitter. "Kristin is the tallest of our outside hitters and has tremendous potential," said Sonnichsen. "Her ability to be an impact player will depend on how fast she transitions to the speed of the college game and how much confidence she brings to the court."
Setters
The Hurricane lost the school record holder for assists in a match and in a season, in addition to being the number two all-time setter in the school's history. In only two years, Shannon Smith recorded over 2,000 assists. The Hurricane will turn to two players to fill the void left by Smith, in LeeAnn McLaughlin and Vanessa Thon. McLaughlin returns for her senior year. She finished the 2000 campaign with 94 assists in 28 games and also had a .257 hitting percentage. She was shifted to the setter position after coming to TU as an outside hitter. "LeeAnn continues to improve in a new position. When Shannon went down last year, LeeAnn did a great job stepping in and keeping this team competitive," said Sonnichsen. A two-time all-state selection in Texas, Thon helped lead her high school team to a state championship as a senior. "Vanessa was a highly recruited setter that will make us better right now," said Sonnichsen. "She will contest from day one to be on the court."
Middle Blockers
Senior Ashley Frogg?, is the third and final senior on the 2001 squad. She transferred to TU from Texas Tech in 1999, and saw considerable playing time immediately as a sophomore. Frogge' led the team last season in total blocks (93) and block assists (82). She finished the season fourth in kills with a career-best 257 and third in hitting percentage with another career-high .243. "Ashley brings a tremendous work ethic to practice and to matches. She will have an important role this season, not only being a senior middle blocker, but also providing a positive example for our younger players," said Sonnichsen. Erin Carlisle shifted to the middle last season, after spending most of her freshman season as an outside hitter. Starting in all 33 matches, Carlisle led the squad in games played (117) and solo blocks (16). She also finished in the top five on the squad in kills (218), service aces (24) digs (267), block assists (75) and total blocks (91). "Erin showed a lot of courage last year by playing most of the season with a stress fracture," said Sonnichsen. "She was also a primary passer, adding to our offensive flexibility." Two more freshmen round out the Hurricane roster in Lindsay Eaves and Dana Weddle. Eaves is 6-1 from Houston, Texas, where she helped lead her club team to a ninth-place finish at the 2000 USAV Junior National Championships. "Lindsay is a very tall and quick middle, who can run the slide extremely well," said Sonnichsen. "She will be able to stretch our opponents block because of her offensive abilities." Weddle is the tallest player on the TU roster at 6-2. A native of Arlington, Texas, she helped lead her club team to a 15th-place finish at the 2001 USAV Junior National Championships in the 18 Open division. "The tallest of our middles, Dana possesses great athleticism and enthusiasm," said Sonnichsen. "She can play either M1 or M2, and blocks as good as any college middle I have seen. She can provide an immediate impact for us on the court."
Schedule
This season will include a lot of new faces in the Tulsa schedule. The Western Athletic Conference added two new teams to the schedule in Boise State and Louisiana Tech and with TCU leaving the conference, WAC play will be a little different than in years past. "The WAC shifted the alignment of the volleyball teams, so the conference will be divided into East and West divisions," said Sonnichsen. "This is a great opportunity for our kids to focus on our great rivalries in Texas and to also be able to play some fine WAC teams out west." The Golden Hurricane's non-conference slate includes trips to South Carolina, Virginia, Florida and Louisiana. "Our non-WAC schedule has us visiting some places that our team has never been. We are very excited for the 2001 season to start," added Sonnichsen.
