Bowling Green State University Athletics
2006 Falcon Volleyball Season Outlook
August 24, 2006 | Volleyball
Aug. 24, 2006
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio -
TAKING THE NEXT STEP
The Bowling Green State University volleyball team, with an 18-14 overall and 8-8 Mid-American Conference record in 2005, recorded their second consecutive winning season and are now set to take the next step in 2006.
"A 20-win season is always one of our goals, and I think we are very capable of accomplishing that goal with this group of players," said head coach Denise Van De Walle.
"The talent level and playing experience is there this season. We could be one of the elite MAC schools this season, finishing in the top three."
With 10 returning players, including six upperclassmen, youth and inexperience will not be a problem for the Falcons this season. Van De Walle and assistant coach Mark Hardaway welcome a third full-time staff member this season, as well. Bre Detrick has joined the Falcon coaching staff for the '06 campaign.
Replacing two members of the 2005 squad will be a top priority for the coaching trio due to the graduation of Emily Manser and Ashlei Nofzinger. With 17 digs against Akron last season, Manser joined teammate Chrissy Gothke as only the second duo in school history to record their 1,000th career dig in the same season. Her 1,136 career digs rank her seventh all-time in Falcon history. Nofzinger's contributions will be missed as well, compiling a team-high 300 kills a year ago.
"I think this is going to be a great year for BG Volleyball," said Van De Walle. "The team chemistry is outstanding this year. From the 10 returning players to the three newcomers, we see a really good group of kids."
SENIOR CLASS
Chrissy Gothke is the lone senior for the Brown and Orange in 2006. The Whitehouse, Ohio native is one of the most versatile players the Falcons have had in recent years, racking up seven triple-doubles last season. While acting as the libero for the majority of her freshman year, Gothke recorded the most digs (497) in BGSU history, surpassing Susie Norris's previous record of 467 digs.
"She's liberoed, she's played defensive specialist, she's played right-side, she's swung on the left, she's set," said Van De Walle, "The only thing she hasn't done is play middle and she could probably even do that."
Her 1,152 career digs already places her in the top five in BGSU history, and after adding 1,118 assists her junior season she will likely crack the top five in all-time assists as well.
"She is multi-talented and her work ethic matches her capabilities," said Van De Walle.
Bowling Green's only "true" setter this season is also known for ultra-competitive nature. Her drive to win was showcased in a play last season against Dayton in which she sprinted and dove for a ball that sent her crashing into the scorer's table headfirst. Not only did Gothke keep the ball alive, she picked up the kill as the ball landed on the Flyers side.
"When Chrissy went flying into the scorer's table, that is the effort we talk about all the time," said Van De Walle. "She is a great team leader that will lay it all the line for the team, for herself and for the program."
"Chrissy Gothke is the type of player that every coach would want in their program. She is an extremely hard worker, never quits, never let's up."
JUNIOR CLASS
A large junior class brings a lot of experience to the program, as all five juniors have seen significant playing time on the floor during their first two seasons.
Redshirt junior Corrie Mills gives the Falcons another fourth-year player to lean on in 2006. The Elgin, Illinois native improved her game immensely in the spring.
"This spring she literally blossomed into the player that I knew she could be," said Van De Walle. "She has an understanding of what BG volleyball is all about and the demands that we place on our players. It's nice to have another four-year player."
Mills, an all-tournament member at the 2004 Raider Invitational, went on a five-match tear last season in which she recorded double-digit kills in four of the five contests, including a 10-kill showing against nationally-ranked Ohio State.
Stephanie Swiger and her 188 career blocks joins Mills in the middle for the Falcons. The hard-hitting Swiger added 231 kills to her 108 blocks, which ranked seventh in the Mid-American Conference last season. The former Findlay High School standout provides lots of intensity for the Brown and Orange.
"Swiger is such a competitor. She gets the job done by sheer will, desire and tenacity," said Van De Walle. "She comes into practice every day giving 100 percent, ready to go. She definitely has the drive to excel."
Madeline Means is an athletic, dynamic and physical player that expects to see major time on the left-side this year. After being behind since-graduated seniors Emily Manser and Ashlei Nofzinger last season, this fall is Means' chance to shine.
"She's matured into the type of left-side that we need and the type of left-side that I recruited her to be," said Van De Walle. "I am excited to see Madeline on the floor, I think she is going to turn some heads."
Means is one of the most gifted athletes on the team, excelling in both soccer and basketball in high school. She flashed her athletic ability in a win over Weber State last year in which she picked 12 kills and 21 digs.
"She's dynamic in her approach, she's fast and very physical."
Maggie Karges has the best platform and passing skills on the team, and is a really excellent ball-control player. She will be competing with several of her teammates for extended playing time at the left-side. She will also be called upon in the backrow.
"I love the competition, the better players you bring in, the more competitive its gets," said Van De Walle. "She is by far the best passer on the team."
In 63 career matches, Karges has compiled 604 digs, good for 2.76 digs per game. The Joilet, Illinois native also has an excellent serve, recording 25 service aces in each of her first two seasons donning the Brown and Orange.
The fifth and final Falcon junior is Elizabeth Simon. The home-grown (attended Bowling Green High School) defensive specialist needs to bring three things to the table this season: great serving, great passing and great defense.
"She has been around volleyball her whole life," said Van De Walle. "I think the light bulb went on and things really clicked for Simon in the spring and she played the best volleyball I've ever seen her play."
Simon is simply a "volleyball kid," growing up in a volleyball environment and watching her dad play. Her sister, Christine, plays volleyball at IPFW.
SOPHOMORE CLASS
A talented trio of sophomores will play a large part in the success of Falcon Volleyball in 2006. Kendra Halm, Chelsey Meek and Meghan Mohr all compiled impressive statistics while seeing extended playing time as freshmen.
As a member of the MAC All-Freshman team last year, Halm made people recognize her play and what she is capable of doing on the hardwood. Halm has the ability to get off the floor quickly and frustrate opposing attackers, evidenced by her 105 blocks in 2005.
"She plays big above the net and is a great blocker," said Van De Walle. "As she progresses, she is going to be unstoppable in the middle with her jumping ability and speed."
Halm is not only an effective attacker but also efficient. On eight separate occasions, she recorded 10 or more kills while also hitting at a .300+ mark. Halm will compete with Mills and Swiger for the right to roam the middle for Bowling Green in '06. "It's really going to be a dog fight between those three, therefore, whoever makes it to the floor is really going to do a great job for us," said Van De Walle.
Meek burst onto the scene with 4.13 digs per game as a freshman, the second highest average in BGSU history. The Bowling Green, Ohio native ended last season with a 17-match streak with double-digit dig totals as she took firm control of the libero position. With Karges' and Simon's improved play during the spring, Meek will be pressured to continue her stellar performance in order to remain the full-time libero.
"It's going to be very competitive and Chelsey is going to have to earn that spot this year. We want it to be as competitive as we can make it in order to make the team better," said Van De Walle. "The pressure is on Chelsey to improve and keep that jersey on her back."
Mohr is the type of player that forces everyone in the gym to turn around and see who did that when she crushes ball with her exceptional power. Mohr wasted little time showcasing her ability to take over a match with a 16-kill, .361-hitting percentage show against Illinois-Chicago in her first ever match as a Falcon. "I don't think people have seen just how good she is yet," said Van De Walle. "I really do think she is ready to explode onto the scene. She is one of the hardest hitters we have and our only left-hander."
FRESHMAN CLASS
Van De Walle and her staff have brought in a talented freshman class for 2006. Kaitlin Jackson, a redshirt last season, will be joined by true freshmen Corey Domek, Milica Askic and Shari Luther as the newest members of the Falcon Volleyball squad.
"We are excited to see what this new incoming class can bring to the table once they gel with our returning players," said Van De Walle.
Jackson is an intense competitor that is still learning the game with only a few years of organized, competitive volleyball under her belt. The right-side hitter out of Ontario, Canada has the unique talent of attacking with both hands.
"In all my years of coaching she is one of the few players I have ever seen that can swing with both arms, and the first I have coached that can do so," said Van De Walle.
Jackson, who is a perfectionist and demands high excellence from herself, is expected to push Meghan Mohr the entire season for time on the right-side.
"It gives us more flexibility and more opportunities for a different look, creating possible mismatches," said Van De Walle about having Jackson and Mohr on the right side.
Domek is an incredibly strong, physical left-side hitter form Naperville, Illinois. If she can limit her transition period from the high school level to the college game, she could see extended playing time.
"I hope she comes in and just lets go and goes after it, because if that's the case she will find herself on the floor," said Van De Walle. "She is very dynamic, one of the most physical kids that we are going to have this year."
Askic crosses the Atlantic Ocean from Serbia to give the Falcons an athletic outside hitter. Askic attended the Sport High School in Belgrade, Serbia, the same high school as fellow student-athlete and men's basketball player Dusan Radivojevic. She will compete with Means, Karges and Domek for time on the left side.
"We really like what we have seen and heard of her. She will bring an athletic presence to us," said Van De Walle.
Luther is one of the steadiest and most consistent freshman that has come to Bowling Green in a long time. She shattered all her high school's kill and block records while leading them to an appearance in the state quarterfinals and an impressive 30-6 overall record. Luther may be redshirted this season, but is also being trained to set.
"The thing that has impressed me the most throughout the recruiting process is that she is very low-error, very steady," said Van De Walle. "She will be fun to train as our other setter."
THE SCHEDULE
The Bowling Green State University volleyball team is slated to play a total of 29 regular-season matches, including nine inside Anderson Arena this season.
Bowling Green begins the season with a road trip to South Bend, Indiana to take on the nationally-ranked Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.
"Notre Dame was a top ten team in the country last year; you couldn't ask for a better team to start with. You just have to go after a team like Notre Dame. It's going to be early for them, early for us. I am really looking forward to that match," said Van De Walle.
The Falcons then return to "The House That Roars" for the home opener against Cleveland State. Beginning September 1, BGSU travels to Denver, Colorado for a weekend tournament. Their opponents while in the Rocky Mountains will be Denver, California-Riverside and Northern Arizona.
Next on the docket for the Falcons is the Oakland University Tournament the following weekend. BGSU will begin the weekend with a rematch against Cleveland State on Friday, followed by a pair of matches against Indiana State and Oakland on Saturday.
"I feel that we can win the Oakland Tournament. If we go in, play well and take care of business, we can win it."
Bowling Green concludes the 12-match stretch of non-conference contests by playing four teams in the Youngstown State Tournament (YSU, Duquesne, Morehead State, and St. Francis) on September 15-16.
"When I look at the 12 matches before the MAC schedule starts, I would be disappointed with a 7-5 start. I feel that we can realistically get eight, nine or ten wins."
The beginning of Mid-American Conference play gets a jump start right away as the arch-rival Toledo Rockets take a stroll down I-75 for a September 22 showdown in Anderson Arena. "Rivalry weekend" continues the next day with another home match, a face-off against the Ball State Cardinals, Van De Walle's alma mater.
Amongst the conference schedule, the Brown and Orange also head to IPFW for midseason non-conference match. The Falcons finish off the regular season with a road match against the defending MAC champion Ohio Bobcats.
"I really like this schedule. We see a little bit of everything, from teams that return a lot players to teams that are rebuilding," said Van De Walle. "We will be able to see right where we stack up."
