Jeff Kahntroff/Student LifeGreat athletes have trademarks-plays that define them. For Michael Jordan it was the slam dunk, for Mark McGwire it was the home run, and for Rebecca Rotello it was the thrown deep cross court winner.
The play was so deadly because most setters pass the ball to other attackers, but not Rotello. Instead, she would stun the other team and lob a shot right over the net.
“It was utterly frustrating for the opponents, and we often exchanged a ‘thumbs up’ and a smile when she scored on the play,” said coach Rich Luenemann.
Luenemann and Rotello are linked by more than thumbs up and smiles; they are connected in WU volleyball lore. In March of 1999, before Luenemann was even the coach at WU, he spotted Rotello at a camp for unsigned high school seniors.
“Her athleticism, especially her quickness, was the first thing I noticed,” said Luenemann. “Although she wasn’t used to running a quick offense such as the Bears run, I was confident she’d become a great setter in that type of system.”
Rotello came to WU and became Luenemann’s first recruit. Four years later Rotello was selected as the unanimous NCAA Division III player of the year and Luenemann was coaching the Bears in their second straight Final Four appearance.
Yet, there is more to Rebecca Rotello, or “Becs,” than one trademark play or one award.
“Volleyball has been a part of my life as long as I can remember,” Rotello said.
By the time she reached WU, she had developed into a very athletic setter. Rotello also grew as a volleyball player. She went from being a humble freshman into becoming the best player in the land.
“I don’t have a secret, it is just hard work… I take training very seriously and I think it pays off,” Rotello said.
This season, her final campaign at WU, Rotello, who does not know any of her statistics, netted an astonishing 1644 assists, or 83 percent of WU’s total assists (no other player had more than 100) on the season. She also slammed home 46 aces, second best on the squad, and chipped in with 253 kills.
“Becs is a highlight tape by herself… her ability to attack second balls, her knack of running the offense to perfection, the great plays she made that only an athlete of her ability could make, and her solo blocks all stand out,” Luenemann said.
Rotello has redefined the criteria by which future Bears setters will be judged. Luenemann said, “Becs embodies all the characteristics desirable in the ideal setter. She’s very athletic, exceptionally analytical, technically strong, even-tempered, and a natural leader.”
Rotello credits her teammates for giving her the opportunity to win the Player of the Year award.
“I think it is a culmination of the great season the team had… without teammates who worked hard beside me helped me achieve it… they earned it as much as I did,” she said.
Just as her statistics went through the stratosphere this season, so did Rotello’s leadership responsibility.
“I had the job placed on my shoulders,” she said, “A lot of people looked up to me on this team… my style was to lead by example, leading in activities, voicing opinions.”
By all accounts, the season that Rotello and the team had was one of the best exhibitions of volleyball in NCAA Division III history.
Luenemann said, “She’s certainly one of the primary reasons we were so successful this year. Setters determine attack patterns and who ultimately will be set, and Becs was excellent in doing so.”
“She evaluated and broke down opposing blocking schemes and then got the ball to the hitter who had the best chance of scoring. With our intricate and complementary offensive patterns that’s not an easy task, particularly when those decisions are made during a fast-paced rally,” said Luenemann.
However, the team came just short of reaching their ultimate goal, the national championship. Rotello has put the entire experience in perspective.
“We lost that match… we wanted the championship, and we did not succeed. Something about the loss still has not hit me… I am frustrated with the loss,” Rotello said.
While the Bears came up short, they showed why Rotello was the MVP of the team, the conference, and across Division III.
“She earned the respect of her teammates. After our loss to Whitewater in the finals, several players surrounded her and expressed their dismay at not ‘winning it for her’,” Luenemann said.
Rotello’s collegiate playing days are over, but her legacy will continue to live on at WU. She was the Michael Jordan of Division III volleyball. She dominated. She led by example.
“Becs is the best setter I’ve ever coached. Her athleticism, dedication, work ethic, leadership, coachability, and insights into the game made her the ideal setter,” said Luenemann. “Future Bear setters will often hear me say ‘This is how Becs did it’ or ‘Be like Becs’.”