2007
SEASON OUTLOOK
Sixth-year head coach Cara Currier considers the 2006 season a “blip on the screen.”
USF’s first losing season in program history (15-23) is over and done with. As far as the Saints are concerned, it’s a thing of the past.
“We struggled last year for many reasons,” says Currier, who enters the 2007 season with a 127-80 record as the Saints head coach. “We played a very difficult schedule. We were a young team. We had just three seniors and one of them (setter Nicole Heinzl) missed about half of the season due to an injury. We used a freshman setter for the majority of the season, and that is very hard to do in a conference that is as competitive as ours is.”
Enough with the excuses, Currier would like to just focus on what lies ahead, not what she just lived through.
“We have added some strength up front and on defense with a couple of transfers and I am really excited to see how our two freshmen fit into the puzzle when we start playing matches.”
Outside hitters
Senior all-America candidate Lisa Klein returns to anchor this spot for a fourth straight year.
“Lisa has been an all-region player and has been one of the best outside hitters in our conference (Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference) since her freshman year,” says Currier. “Simply put, if Lisa has a great season, then we will have a great season. She is clearly our number one offensive weapon.”
Sophomore Jackie Fletcher had an impressive freshman season, finishing third on the team in kills behind Klein and the graduated Jill Boyce.
“’Fletch’ got off to a great start last year and showed us just how much talent she has,” says Currier. “She is hitting the ball stronger this year and I hope to see her hitting it a bit smarter as she gains more experience.”
Freshman Kyrsten Becker may also see some time on the outside. “Becker hits the ball hard and comes from a pretty competitive and high-level club team,” says Currier. “She is aggressive and will give us some depth at that position.”
Middle hitters/blockers
Junior Nikki Antle and sophomore Kara Decker are the top two returnees in the middle. Antle was fourth on the team in kills as a sophomore with 259 and second in blocks with 121. Decker played some in the middle as a freshman and also appeared on the outside and on defense.
“Antle is starting her second year in the middle at the college level and will hopefully bring more offense to her game,” says Currier. “Decker brings a ton of athleticism and defense to the position. She is a great leaper and with some improvement she could be a great addition to our offense up front.”
Freshman Lauren Hoffman adds some size and blocking ability to the Saints lineup.
“Hoffman shows a lot of promise as a freshman in pre-season camp,” says Currier. “She has excellent range for blocking and hits the ball well. I expect to see her get lots of playing time and eventually be a force for us in the middle.”
Right-side attackers
Junior transfer Elaina Ambler and senior Karlee Lawson are the primary candidates for playing time on the right side. Ambler comes to USF from Kishwaukee Community College and Lawson is a three-time letterwinner.
“Ambler brings a lot of athleticism to the position and is a solid player all the way around the court,” says Currier. “She does a very good job on the serve receive, digs well and has a tough serve. Lawson always brings a nice block on to the court. She has the knack of knowing where the ball needs to go offensively. She keeps a very cool head and handles pressure very well. What she lacks in foot speed and jumping ability, she makes up for with her smarts and her experience.”
Defensive specialists
Junior transfer Courtney Ambrosch, senior Kelly Zebron and sophomore Karen Gruber will be the primary players at this position. Junior Jessica Bennett redshirted a year ago and walk-on Barbara Bien also adds some depth. Becker will likely get a lot of playing time in the back row, as well.
Ambrosch comes to USF after playing softball for a year at St. Joseph’s College (Ind.) and attending Loyola University. She is a Joliet native and a product of Joliet Township High School.
“Courtney Ambrosch is a fabulous athlete that can play anywhere on the court,” says Currier. “She reads the ball extremely well and is a very solid serve receiver. You’ll probably see her in a different colored shirt (as the libero) most of the time this season.
Zebron and Gruber shared time as the libero a year ago and will both be utilized as defensive specialists this season. Zebron led the Saints with 522 digs as a junior in 2006 and Gruber enjoyed a solid freshman season with 251 digs.
“Kelly brings three years of college experience to the position,” adds Currier, “and is very quick and aggressive. She will also be a captain this year along with Lisa Klein. Gruber is another versatile athlete. She is perhaps our scrappiest player and can play almost anywhere on the court. She even filled in as a setter for us last year when both of our setters were out with injuries.”
“Bennett has improved a great deal since she got here last year and I won’t hesitate to use her at any time. Bien is new to our program and brings a good work ethic to the team.”
Setters
Sophomore Kelsey Polte shared time at setter last year with the now-graduated Nicole Heinzl and ended up playing the majority of the time due to Heinzl’s injuries. Sophomore Taylor Wirkus returns, but she only appeared in four games last year and that was as a defensive specialist. Both Ambrosch and Gruber have worked at the position in the preseason to provide both depth and an emergency setter.
“Kelsey worked hard over the spring and summer to shore up her game,” says Currier. “She did a lot of good things as a freshman and was thrown right into the fire since Heinzl missed the season’s first month with injuries. She now has a year of college setting experience under her belt and should make some great strides this season.”
When you talk to the USF coach, you learn one thing very quickly. Currier is seldom at a loss for words and doesn’t know how to not be excited.
“I’m always pumped up for the start of a new season, but I really have a good feeling about this year’s team.
“We were very young last year and, with only two freshmen, will be a more veteran club this season. We lost three players but have returned enough experience at each position that we should be a solid club.
“I feel we have one of the best offensive teams we have had in my six years at St. Francis. We have more depth and definitely more size than we had a year ago. Our team attitude is positive and that is always a real plus.”
The schedule is tough once again, as the Saints will face ranked NAIA teams like Madonna (MI), Cornerstone (MI) and Georgetown (KY) in tournaments. USF also plays a string of four straight matches against strong NCAA Division II teams Lewis, Winona State (MN), St. Cloud State (MN) and Wisconsin-Parkside in the second week of the season.
The CCAC will be top-heavy again with defending league and region champion Olivet Nazarene leading the way.
“Olivet is always strong,” says Currier. “They lost the conference co-Player of the Year (Megan Gullickson) to graduation but always find ways to replace even the best of players. Illinois Tech came on strong at the end of last season and returns all of its starters. Saint Xavier is always big and tough. Trinity International lost the most of any of the top teams from last year but it always finds a way to be a good, competitive team by conference tournament time.
“Judson, Cardinal Stritch, Trinity Christian, Robert Morris and Calumet are all improving. One thing that will make our league even stronger is that all 10 schools now have full-time coaches in place in volleyball. There is definitely a commitment in our conference to make our volleyball even more competitive on a regional and national level.”
