Marquette University Athletics
Volleyball Concludes Spring Season with Strong Play
4/26/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
April 26, 2006
MILWAUKEE - The Marquette women's volleyball team wrapped up its spring season with strong play and leadership at Sports Performance in Chicago, Ill., last weekend.
"I was so glad to end the spring on a good note," head coach Pati Rolf said. "The players really came in with a wider and broader vision of what the team wanted to accomplish. I think they saw the 'big picture' and hopefully it will carry over to next fall."
The Golden Eagles had a strong showing against power conference foes including Indiana University, Ohio University, Wis.-Milwaukee, University of North Carolina and University of Arizona. The players were able to come together after weeks of building and function as a team instead of independent players.
Prior to playing at Sport Performance, Marquette squared off against Wisconsin, Iowa State and Northern Iowa in Madison, Wis. A week later, DePaul, Iowa and Wis.-Green Bay visited the Al McGuire Center a week later. Marquette also hosted Marquette Madness, a USAV Adult tournament.
"The spring was a culmination of growth and team building. It offered us weeks of maturity and growth which I believe we took advantage of.
Along with the veteran players, sophomores Kim Todd, Jenn Brown, and junior Jamie Mueller, the Golden Eagles also turned heads with the play from setters Katie Weidner and Monica Renfrow, and defensive specialist Jessica Kieser. Kieser will help fill the void in the fall left by departing seniors Caitie O'Brien and Heidi Pfeiffer. New assistant coach Erin Freer made her coaching debut in the spring.
"It was a coming of age for many members of this team," added Rolf. "We had to function as a unit instead of doing things independently. The leadership was unique this past weekend at Sports Performance. The players learned to trust their coaches and in-turn look to their teammates for emotional and mental stability. Jessica Kieser showed what she is capable of in her play. She dug some big balls in matches at Sport Performance. She was a good teammate. "
Marquette also had support in the form of its injured players who will be back in the fall in freshman Katie Vancura, sophomore Tiffany Helmbrecht and junior Nicole Wallace.
"The bench came down and gave us great support last weekend and throughout the spring," said Rolf.
The Golden Eagles continued splitting time at the setters position, using both Weidner and Renfrow as the Golden Eagles did in the fall.
"The setters, Katie Weidner and Monica Renfrow, ran a great offense. Their passing to set up our hitters Kim Todd and Jamie Mueller was unbelievable. It was no doubt the best leadership I have seen from those two. "
