Aug. 20, 2004
Chicago, Ill. - After winning just two conference matches last season, it would be easy for new University of Illinois at Chicago Head Volleyball Coach, Nancy Mueller, not to have high expectations.
Mueller, however, took one step into the gym during spring practice and quickly knew that she had a squad that could compete with any team in the Horizon League.
"I was ecstatic with the results of our spring practices," Mueller said. "The talent pool is very good, so it becomes a matter of motivating and developing that talent to achieve the success I've envisioned.
"Once I saw their performance, it completely changed my opinion of where this program could go and how fast we can get there," Mueller continued. "There are a lot of tools in place within this program, and now it becomes a matter of organizing, structuring, and fitting those tools in the right place."
It was apparent from the moment of Mueller's arrival that she would push her squad, and she would push them hard.
"Hard work is the backbone of any great program," Mueller said. "If you have hard work and discipline, success is imminent."
Making Mueller's job easier will be the return of senior middle hitters Kristi Herrington and Megan Hoffman. Herrington had a breakout junior season in 2003, totaling 353 kills and a team-high 108 blocks.
"Kristi Herrington is going to be a big player for us," Mueller said. "She's going to have to step up and do what she did last year.
"Kristi has one of the best arms in the middle hitter position, but her strength is really in blocking balls," Mueller continued. "She's going to be able to contribute both on the offensive and defensive side of the ball."
Hoffman, who will see a lot of playing time on the right side, was third on the squad with 224 kills and second in blocks with 70 in 2003.
"Megan is going to be another go-to player for us," Mueller said. "She's going to play a major role in this team's success."
"She's going to be receiving a lot of sets on the right side," Mueller continued. "Megan's a very physical player who can make a huge impact.
"We're asking Megan to step up this season, and I have no doubt she'll respond to the pressure and rise to the occasion."
Others competing for the starting middle hitter spots with Herrington, will be junior Tisha Graf, sophomore Ambria Springer, sophomore Megan Colins, and freshman Ashley Martin.
Graf, who tallied 42 kills and 31 blocks last season, impressed Mueller during spring workouts.
"Tisha became really productive in the middle this spring," Mueller said. "Our setters relied on her to terminate balls, which made her one of our most efficient middles."
"Tisha was not only an asset on the offensive side of the ball, but she became one of our best blockers as well," Mueller continued. "Tisha will definitely play a role in our team success."
Springer and Colins each saw limited action last season as freshmen. Springer appeared in 20 matches and finished with 40 kills, while Colins picked up 23 kills in 17 matches.
"Bria is going to surprise a lot of people in this league," Mueller said. "Because of her versatility, she was asked to play several positions last season, but I have challenged her to be the best middle blocker in the conference, and I think she'll respond to that challenge.
"Her competitive drive will accelerate her development and will make for interesting competition among our middle hitters."
Colins, according to Mueller, showed dramatic improvement through spring practice.
"Megan is a great athlete who just lacks experience and training," Mueller said. "She got quality reps in this spring and came a long way in a short time.
"Her potential and her work ethic are her strengths and once that develops, Megan will be a dominant middle hitter in this league."
Martin, the first recruit signed by Mueller, could see time in any position, according to the first-year coach.
"Ashley is a versatile athlete that will contribute daily in practice in any position," Mueller said. "She's quick, athletic, and very competitive, which are all the characteristics I was searching for when I signed her."
Fifth-year senior Jordan Studzinski will be back in action for the Flames at outside hitter. Last season, Studzinski pounded home 174 kills and was second on the squad with 370 digs.
"Jordan is one of our most stable players," Mueller said. "She's one of those players who get better as the competition gets better."
"She is a competitor and will rise to the occasion at any given moment," Mueller continued. "I see Jordan taking a lot of swings for us this fall, which in turn will make her a force at the net for the Flames."
Joining Studzinski on the outside will be juniors Catherine Roy, Sarah Lang, and sophomore Camille Mankus. Roy, Lang and Mankus each saw limited action last season, but figure to play a key role in Mueller's ball-control offense.
Roy had 46 kills and 101 digs in 19 matches last season as a sophomore.
"Catherine will be a very productive passer for us," Mueller said. "She will be asked to terminate more balls than she did last season.
"Her role on this team will be to lead by example with her passing and defensive skills."
Lang finished her sophomore campaign with 39 kills and 32 digs in 14 matches.
"Sarah's hitting has come a long way since my arrival," Mueller said. "She needs to continue contributing on both sides of the ball and she'll get to see the court an awful lot this fall."
Mankus, who split time between the outside and libero as a freshman, completed her rookie season with 41 kills and 129 digs.
"Camille had a good spring and is a competitor for this team," Mueller said. "She's a solid passer who can also terminate some balls for us on the outside."
Freshman Katarina Nedeljkovic, who hails from Kragujevac City, Serbia and Montenegro, could see time at both outside hitter and the right side hitter positions.
"Katarina has a lot of experience playing at a very high level," Mueller said. "She knows the game and is a very smart player.
"She is crafty with her shots, but I think her biggest asset is her blazing jump serve," Mueller said. "I am anxious for her to get here and get started."
Sophomore outside hitter Julie Popp will attempt to come back after missing the entire 2003 campaign with a season ending injury.
"Julie Popp has the intangibles that I want in every kid in this program," Mueller said. "She's got the drive, competitiveness, and work ethic this team needs.
"She has become a leader off the court for us, and now I expect her to bring those qualities onto the court," Mueller continued. "I am looking forward to seeing her out there again."
Setting for the Flames this season will be sophomore Katie Kozak. Kozak, who served as team captain for UIC last spring, had 365 assists during her rookie campaign in 2003.
"Katie know this game and knows how to win this game," Mueller said. "She's a very productive setter in knowing what's going on with her hitters and who to go to in certain situations.
"She quarterbacks this team at all times, which is the leadership I am looking for in my starting setter."
Joining Kozak in the setter rotation will be fifth-year senior, Dawn Strahanoski. Strahanoski, who will also see some time at the outside hitter position, has been a mainstay in the UIC lineup over her career.
"Dawn Strahanoski is a very calming player on the court," Mueller said. "I don't' know if she'll be in a setting role or a hitting role, but I do know she will be on the court in some capacity."
Battling for the libero position will be sophomores Jillian Kufta and Meghan Carey, along with freshmen Liz Hrebic.
Kufta totaled 111 digs in 26 matches last season and figures to put up a strong fight with both Hrebic and Carey for the job.
"Jill will play a role in the majority of our ball control," Mueller said. "She's a fiery player who will be an enormous contributor to our passing and defense.
"She has got her work cut out for her with the two newcomers pushing her, but I believe she'll rise to the occasion."
Carey has a year of collegiate experience after helping push Kishwaukee to a fifth-place finish in the NJCAA Tournament in 2003.
"Megan brings experience more than anything to the libero," Mueller said. "This will automatically put her in the running for a starting role.
Hrebic helped lead perennial powerhouse Mother McAuley to the IHSA Class AA Quarterfinals last season.
"Liz is a competitor and a motivator," Mueller said. "Her fierce attitude and desire to win are characteristics of the future of this program.
"Her ability to communicate to her teammates regardless of the situation will be the spark this program needs when competing for championships."
Although new to the team, Mueller believes that Carey and Hrebic will immediately contribute to the Flames in 2004.
"I have a feeling that both of these players will get a lot of playing time," Mueller said. "They both are extremely competitive and will improve the overall ball control for this team."
The Flames will have to cope with the loss of outside hitter Teaha Shepperd. Shepperd, an All-Horizon League Team selection last season, finished her career with the second-most kills in school history (1,646) and third-most digs (1,411).
Mueller believes that will not be a problem as it will be more of a team effort during a match, rather than just a one-woman show.
"We don't have one big banger, we have several that don't even know what they are capable of doing yet," Mueller said. "We're going to get 17-18 kills a game, but it's going to be from five different players, not just one or two."
If that's the case, the rest of the Horizon League will not only see a new coach on the UIC sideline, but a new look for the rest of the Flames.
