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2002 Butler Volleyball Team Preseason Prospectus
June 3, 2002 The 2002 Butler volleyball team stars a cast of nine returning letterwinners and six freshmen who are preparing to help take the program to the next level. While the roles are not completely in place for the squad, the stage is certainly set for a successful season. "I am confident that the freshman and returning players have the skills to lead us to a successful season," said head coach Sharon Clark, who is entering her third season with the Bulldogs. "We have shown a lot of promise over the spring season, especially in terms of defense. The key to us winning this season will definitely fall upon our much-improved ball control and our defensive game." The Bulldogs have paved the way for a winning season by laying the groundwork over the past two years in Clark's tenure. In 2000, the Bulldogs fell to Loyola in the conference tournament finals and Butler dropped a five-game heartbreaker to the Ramblers again in 2001 in the Horizon League semifinals. Last year's mark of 12-13 might not have been an accurate description of how talented the team was, the Bulldogs did achieve success in many ways, including taking the title at their own Butler/DoubleTree Invitational. This year's version of the Butler volleyball team has even higher expectations than in previous years, and ahead is a position by position breakdown of the troops that will be leading Butler into battle during the upcoming season... OUTSIDE HITTERS The outside hitter positions are incredibly deep this season for the Bulldogs, as six players are expected to rotate in and out freely, providing a much more dynamic lineup than in previous years. Leading the team in the outside hitter positions is senior Laura Klancnik. Klancnik, who spent the first two years of her collegiate career as a middle blocker, made the transition last season to the outside and averaged 1.55 kills per game. Another outside threat for the Bulldogs is sophomore Kali Carter. "I am excited about Kali's ability to be one of our primary passers," said Clark. "She continues to be the most consistent outside hitter we have." Carter was named to the Horizon League All-Newcomer team and led all Butler rookies in both kills per game (2.38) and digs per game (2.88). Sophomore Areal Bienemy came on strong for the Bulldogs in league play last season, earning a starting role while Carter was sidelined with an illness. Bienemy, who Clark tabs as, "the most dynamic outside hitter on the team," uses Butler's uptempo style of play to her favor. The Violet, La., native averaged 2.00 kills and 1.96 blocks as a rookie. Adding to the mix of outside hitters is a quartet of freshman - Megan Knightly, Carolyn Gruesbeck, Tiffany Burleson and Susana Henri - who are all expected to contribute within the position. Knightly, a Mother McAuley product out of Chicago, "is a smart and determined hitter with great court sense," stated Clark. The 5-9 hitter's ability to control the ball and terrific jumping ability should help her challenge the upperclassmen for playing time. Gruesbeck, a 6-1 standout player at Northrop High School in Fort Wayne, Ind., should also make an immediate impact on the squad. She was a first team all-conference performer as a prep, and possesses an outstanding jump serve. Burleson, a talented 5-8 outside hitter from Romeoville High School in Joliet, Ill., boasts a 28-inch vertical jump which will enable her to play a key role in Butler's blocking corps. Henri enters the program after a successful prep career at York House in Vancouver, B.C. As a prep, the 5-9 hitter was named her school's 'Athlete of the Year' and was also selected as her team's captain and MVP. MIDDLE BLOCKERS The Bulldogs return one of the best middle blockers in the league this season with senior Keely Norris patrolling the net. Norris enters the 2002 campaign just 18 kills shy of the 1,000 mark and has led the team in hitting efficiency the past two seasons. "Keely will definitely be our floor leader this season," explained Clark. "She provides us great blocking at the net and will be our go-to hitter on offense." Norris has posted a brilliant career with Butler thus far, earning second team all-conference honors for the past two seasons. The 6-1 Indianapolis native was also named to the Butler Invitational All-Tournament team during the 2001 stint. Joining Norris in the middle are a pair of redshirt freshmen - Sarah Clough and Candice Washington - whose improvements throughout the 2002 spring season were immeasurable. "Clough is by far the strongest player on our team," Clark said. "She puts up a wall blocking and will definitely go in and control the net at some key moments for us next season." The 6-2 blocker was cited to the first team All-Victory League and received the 2000-01 Gatorade 'Will To Win Athlete' award as a prep. Washington, a 6-3 middle from Columbia, Md., emerged as a solid force at the net as well over the spring season. "Candice had a great spring," stated Clark. "She worked hard in the weight room and her improved strength is noticeable. She adds a whole new element to our blocking game and will contribute greatly to our offense as well." Complementing Norris, Clough and Washington in the middle is sophomore Elizabeth Moreau. Moreau averaged 1.14 kills per game while playing in 20 matches for the Bulldogs last season. SETTER Junior Amanda Matthews certainly is a key to Butler's success. The 5-8 setter stepped into her role as a setter last season, and improved vastly throughout the campaign. "Amanda has developed into a much more strategic setter with two years behind her," said Clark. "I look for her to run the offense and to be one of our main leaders on the court." Matthews, who was named to the Butler/DoubleTree All-Tournament team for her brilliant efforts on the court, averaged 10.73 assists and 2.37 digs per game last season. She also provided the Bulldogs with an additional attacking presence at the net, which was exemplified by her nine-kill output against Austin Peay. DEFENSIVE SPECIALISTS/LIBEROS One of the newest features on the court this season will not be a player but instead a rule change which was instituted by the NCAA - the "libero" position. A libero is a back row player that does not attack, serve or set in front of the 3-meter line. The libero may substitute for any player in the back row, but her team does not get penalized a substitution for her entering the lineup. However, she can only be replaced by the player she originally substituted. Sophomore Kamy Peters will most often be used as Butler's libero option. "Kamy exemplifies what a libero position should be," Clark stated. "She is a very good passer, is quick and can play incredible defense." The 5-8 Brownstown, Ind. native averaged 2.07 digs per game last season, which ranked second among her classmates. She was also one of Butler's most potent serving forces as she racked up 30 aces throughout the season. Another strong defensive component for the Bulldogs is sophomore Sara Gallagher. Gallagher's natural leadership on the court earned her a consistent spot on the court last season. The 5-8 Sonoma Calif. product averaged 1.99 digs per game and appeared as a backup setter to Matthews when called upon. Junior Halston Campagna rounds out the back-row player options for Butler. Campagna's presence was most noticeable from behind the service line, as she tallied eight aces in her 14 matches played. Her steady passing game will continue to keep her in the midst of the action throughout the upcoming season. SCHEDULE While the 2002 squad has the personnel in place to have a prosperous season, the daunting schedule that lies ahead of them will make it a challenge. "We are excited about the overall strength of our schedule," stated Clark. "I believe that the strength of our non-conference schedule will help us get ready for a tough Horizon League season." The Butler volleyball team's 2002 schedule boasts three 2001 NCAA Tournament teams and seven teams which won 20 or more games throughout last season. The Bulldogs' schedule is highlighted by opponents from 13 different conferences, including teams from the highly-touted Pac 10, West Coast Conference and Mountain West Conference. Also on the slate are seven teams that Butler will be taking on for the first time in the program's 27-year history. Included in the 34-game lineup are four pre-Horizon Leagues season tournaments, which feature Sun Belt divisional winner Western Kentucky, Top-25 vote recipient Washington State, Conference USA runner-up Louisville, and instate rivals Indiana and Purdue. Also on the docket for the Bulldogs is a home-opener match against Montana State on Sept. 1, a pair of home matches against non-league foes Indiana State and Valparaiso and an away match against Sacramento State, a team which went 20-9 last season and won the Big Sky Conference regular season. Following a rigorous Horizon League slate, which includes NCAA Tournament participant and Horizon League Tournament champion UW-Milwaukee, Horizon League regular-season champion Loyola and regionally-ranked Wright State, Butler will take part in its fifth tournament of the season, New Mexico University's Albuturkey Tournament. Highlighting the list of participating teams is nationally-ranked UCLA and Rice, winner of the WAC Eastern Division last season. |
