Bernell DorroughAfter a summer of agility and strength training, frequent get-togethers to play gym volleyball, and even some sand volleyball, the Washington University volleyball team returns to regular season play in hopes of improving upon their success last season.
The Bears went 41-2 in 2002, falling one win shy of winning a Division III-record eighth national championship. The University lost in the national championship match to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
The Bears will not let that loss dampen their spirits heading into the new season.
“After letting the championship slip through our fingers last season, we are all that much more determined to make it happen this year,” said senior co-captain Katie Quinn. “We have learned from last season, and now we are both physically and mentally more ready to win the title.”
Head coach Rich Luenemann believes the tough pre-season practices this year indicate regular season success.
“Our preseason practices have been spirited and very competitive,” said Luenemann. “We’re moving at a quicker pace than in any other year I’ve coached.”
To add to their achievement, the team will begin the season ranked No. 1 in the 2003 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Top 25 preseason poll, as announced on August 20.
The University maintains a sensible attitude about their ranking and their lofty status has only served to motivate them further.
“This might seem like a lot of pressure, but the competition to keep that spot keeps us working hard day in and day out,” said Quinn.
“It’s gratifying knowing we’re recognized as the team to beat,” Luenemann said. “On the other hand there are several teams with the talent to win the national title, and they’ll always bring their “A” games when they play the Bears.”
Even with their top ranking, the University will have their work cut out for them this season.
“I think it’s fair to say we’ll face the toughest schedule of any Division III program in the nation,” Luenemann said.
The Sept. 12-13 the University National Invitational will feature a rematch of last year’s National Championship contest against UW-Whitewater. Also, the Bears will face Central College, the 1999 and 2000 national champions, and Wittenberg University, the only team other than Whitewater to beat the Bears in 2002.
The inaugural University Teri Clemens National Invitational, held Sept. 19-20, will pit three of last year’s Final Four teams against each other; Trinity University, Juniata College and the Bears will play with Baldwin Wallace College.
The women have set their sights on the national championship this season, but they are not letting those thoughts interfere with their performance.
“I think we will go into the season with the same mentality we’ve had in the past,” junior outside hitter Colleen Winter said. “We have one main goal for the season, which is to win the national championship, but we must focus on one game at a time.”
Making the quest more difficult this season will be the loss of 2002 American Volleyball Coaches Association Divison III National Player of the Year Rebecca Rotello to graduation.
“Rebecca Rotello was the ideal setter, one of the best in the annuls of the University and NCAA III volleyball,” Luenemann said. “She was an exceptional leader and did a great job of running our offense.”
“Becs [Rebecca] was a phenomenal asset to the team and she will be missed both as a player and a friend,” Quinn agreed.
However, the team sees its two current setters as exceptional athletes who can bridge the gap to the post-Rotello era and hopefully bring a championship to the Hilltop.
“Generally, it is hard to adjust to a new setter, but with Kara Liefer, our sophomore, and Megan Delcourt, the new freshman, the transition has been incredibly smooth so far,” Quinn said.
Joining the Bears squad along with Delcourt are freshmen Amy Baum, Amy Bommarito, and Whitney Smith. Since the team has five of six starters returning, the freshmen will not be pressured to start. Nevertheless, it is evident that they will all push for playing time.
“Our freshmen have a lot of great assets that they add to this team,” senior co-captain Amy Brand said. “They are picking up our systems of play quickly and are a valuable part of the team.”
The freshmen have been warmly accepted by the returning players.
“I am so lucky to get to play with the group of girls that we have on the volleyball team, because of the friendship we have and the unselfish attitudes,” said Winter. “The freshmen certainly are happily included.”
With a large contingent of returning starters and a system that has led to seven national titles, the squad looks forward to capturing its first national title since 1996.
“We’re comfortable with our systems of play, and we’re fortunate to have the quality of players who can execute within the systems,” Luenemann said. “A major point of emphasis will be to do a better job of analyzing our opponent’s tendencies and to exploit their weaknesses.”