2004 WIAC Women's Volleyball Headlines

UW-Whitewater's Russell Announces Retirement

RELEASED: Friday, April 1, 2005

Whitewater, Wis.--Kristin Russell, women's volleyball coach at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater since 1981, has announced her retirement.

Russell directed the Warhawk volleyball team to thirteen consecutive National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III championship tournament berths, and seventeen tourneys overall. With Russell at the helm UW-Whitewater won the 2002 NCAA III title, and the team finished second in 2000 and 2001, third in 1995, and fourth in 1988. Her tenure also included ten Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships, including seven of the last nine seasons. Whitewater also won ten WIAC postseason tournament titles (and finished second three times) in the seventeen year history of that event.

"This job requires an enormous amount of commitment and energy and effort, and I've done that for twenty-four years and that's enough. It's just time," said Russell. "I want to do something different, a different focus, and that next step is exciting for me. I'm not done working, I'm just done coaching UW-Whitewater volleyball. Jamie Konrath's accident and her situation, sort of made me step back and smell the flowers. I know that's a terrible way to have to get the message, but it did make me look at things."

At the conclusion of the 2004 season, Russell ranks second among active NCAA Division III volleyball coaches with 812 victories, and she is third among DIII active coaches in winning percentage, at .779. There are only eight active volleyball coaches, at any level of the NCAA (Divisions I, II and III), with 800 wins as of the end of the '04 season. Russell's career mark at UW-W is 812-231 overall, and 178-49 (.779) in the WIAC.

"It seems like a long time, twenty-four years, but it really hasn't been," added Russell. "It's incredible has fast it has gone. I've enjoyed the fact that, through the hard work of many women who have gone through here in the volleyball program we have our own facility, a really nice facility - the only one in Division III and one of the few at any level. That's been the efforts of many players, many staff, many administrators, a lot of people played a role. I've watched it from its infancy to …, I can't say conclusion because I believe we still has a ways to go, but to this point it has been amazing," Russell said.

"There can be no 'replacement' for Coach Russell", UW-W chancellor Dr. Jack Miller noted. "While a new person will assume the coaching role and life will move forward, Kris is, and will always be, an icon in national and international volleyball. Her legacy at UW-W will last for a very long time."

"Although most people would point to the national championship as the most gratifying moment, and it certainly was great, I think the most gratifying part of this job has been seeing this program maintain a place in the national spotlight for twenty years." Russell noted. "To keep a program at that level for that length of time is the greatest achievement. Seeing those kids come in, and you have turnover every year, and maintain that type of program has been really gratifying."

"On a personal level, the fact that most women don't stay in coaching that long -- maybe six, seven or eight years, and to be in it as long as I have is gratifying. Over that span, watching our players develop into outstanding teams is also gratifying on another level," Russell added.

UW-W director of athletics Dr. Paul Plinske added, "There is no doubt that Kris has played a significant and valuable role in her academic department and intercollegiate athletics for the past twenty-four years. Her leadership on national committees and as a model for aspiring female coaches and administrators has been exceptional," commented Plinske. "It has been a special year for me as I have had the honor and privilege of working with her in numerous capacities. Kris' dedication to the student-athlete experience is unprecedented, and her ability to see the big picture is uncanny. While she concludes this chapter of her professional career, she still possesses a wealth of knowledge and expertise that can help Warhawk athletics reach its full potential in the years to come. We are thankful for all that Kris has done for Warhawk athletics, and are excited about her future endeavors."

Russell was named NCAA III Volleyball Coach of the Year four times (1988, 1995, 2000, 2002), American Volleyball Coaches Association Division III Midwest Region Coach of the Year five times, and WIAC Coach of the Year seven times (1986, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002).

UW-W volleyball players have earned All-America honors forty-four times, including twenty named to the first team, under Russell's tutelage. In 2001 Allison Erickson was named AVCA Division III National Player of the Year, the first UW-W female athlete to garner national athlete of the year honors, and just one of five UW-Whitewater athletes, male or female, ever named tops in their sport. Equally successful off the court, with Russell as coach seven student athletes have been named WIAC Judy Kruckman Scholar Athlete for Volleyball, more than any other school in the league. Kristin Dettman (2003), Alison Erickson (2001) and Lynn Olsen (2000) have also been chosen to receive NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship Awards. Every record in the UW-W volleyball record book, whether individual match, season or career; or team match and season, has been set during Russell's years at the school.

Highly regarded by her peers, Russell is a member of the American Volleyball Coaches Association and USA Volleyball. She has served as chair of both the AVCA's Division III All-America Committee and the all-region committee.

"I think college athletics has changed tremendously since I started," commented Russell. "I go way back to the beginning of Title IX, and seeing the opportunities for women expand has been absolutely great. Whether its volleyball or football or basketball - the college games are getting better. The players are getting better. They're different. They see big money and games on TV, and parents want their kids in club ball from age groups on up, all trying to get scholarships. And there aren't any more scholarships than fifteen years ago, but expectations are greater. At one time I always recruited students that were two or three sport athletes, and that doesn't happen anymore. They want to get their college education paid for with a scholarship, but I think that comes at a great expense, not playing other sports. We get a lot of players in late spring, after scholarships have been handed out and some kids are disappointed. We also get the kids who have a particular academic focus that fits Whitewater, and sometimes a student will decide they don't want the pressure of being a scholarship athlete, even though they're good enough.

Russell received a bachelor's degree in physical education from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 1973, and earned a master's in educational administration from Northern Arizona University in 1981. Prior to coming to Whitewater Russell served as a physical education instructor and assistant softball coach at Northern Arizona (1980-81 school year), a physical education instructor at Ingleside Middle School and volleyball coach at Arcadia High School in Scottsdale, Arizona (1979-80), and a phy ed teacher and high school volleyball coach at Random Lake (WI) High School (1972-78). While at Random Lake she guided the school to four Lakeshore Conference championships and two Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Class B titles. From 1972-75 she also served as Random Lake's head girl's basketball and track coach.

Russell will continue to handle volleyball duties, teach in the health, physical education, recreation and coaching department, and serve as the athletic department's senior woman administrator until July 30, 2005.

Russell is the daughter of Bill and Evelynne Russell, residents of West Bend.

"My parents have been a big influence in my life. They have followed my career, they're still coming to matches," said Russell. "They instilled in me that if I worked hard, the fruit of my efforts would pay off.

Russell Milestones
Win #100 … October 16, 1984 vs. Carroll College at a tournament at Lake Forest College (IL)
Win #200 … September 22, 1987 at UW-Oshkosh
Win #300 … September 9, 1989 vs. Lake Forest College in a tournament at Carthage College
Win #400 … October 10, 1992 vs. UW-Superior in Whitewater
Win #500 … October 27, 1995 vs. Wheaton College (IL) in Whitewater
Win #600 … October 27, 1998 vs. UW-Parkside in Whitewater
Win #700 … October 13, 2001 vs. Thomas More College (KY) at Wittenberg University (OH)
Tournament
Win #800 … October 15, 2004 vs. Calvin College (MI) at Elmhurst College (IL) tournament

All-America Selections
Year Player (Organization, Team)
1988 Chris Conradt (AVCA, First), Pam Kane (AVCA, First)
1989 Pam Kane (AVCA, First), Pam Kane (Volleyball Monthly, Second), Barb Lynch (AVCA, First)
1992 Denise Cobb (AVCA, First), Denise Cobb (Volleyball Monthly, Second), Mary Jaskolski (AVCA, Second)
1993 Denise Cobb (AVCA, First), Denise Cobb (CoSIDA, Second), Denise Cobb (Volleyball Monthly, First), Mary Jaskolski (AVCA, First), Mary Jaskolski (Volleyball Monthly, 2nd), Cindy Paplham (CoSIDA, Second)
1994 Cindy Paplham (AVCA, First), Cindy Paplham (CoSIDA, First), Cindy Paplham (Vollyball, Third), Margot Rogers (AVCA, Second)
1995 Stephanie Everett (Volleyball, Third)
1997 Stephanie Everett (AVCA, Second), Stephanie Everett (Volleyball, Second), Lynn Olsen (AVCA, Second), Lynn Olsen (CoSIDA, Third)
1998 Stephanie Everett (AVCA, Second), Lynn Olsen (AVCA, First), Lynn Olsen (CoSIDA, First), Lynn Olsen (Volleyball, First), Lynn Olsen (Successful Farming)
1999 Lynn Olsen (AVCA, First), Lynn Olsen (CoSIDA, First), Lynn Olsen (Successful Farming)
2000 Allison Erickson (AVCA, Second), Melinda Erickson (AVCA, First)
2001 Allison Erickson (AVCA, First), Melinda Erickson (AVCA, First), Kristin Dettman (AVCA, First), Angie Wildish (AVCA, Second)
2002 Angie Wildish (AVCA, First), Kristin Dettman (AVCA, Second), Katie Monhart (AVCA, Third)
2003 Megan Kay (AVCA, H.M.), Michelle Stanislawski (AVCA, H.M.)
2004 Michelle Stanislawski (AVCA, Second), Cassie Uttech (AVCA, H.M.)

All-Region Selections
Year Player (Organization)
1986 Chris Conradt
1987 Chris Conradt (AVCA), Barb Lynch (AVCA)
1988 Chris Conradt (AVCA), Pam Kane (AVCA), Barb Lynch (AVCA)
1989 Pam Kane (AVCA), Barb Lynch (AVCA)
1990 Denise Cobb (AVCA)
1991 Denise Cobb (AVCA)
1992 Denise Cobb (AVCA), Mary Jaskolski (AVCA)
1993 Denise Cobb (AVCA, CoSIDA), Mary Jaskolski (AVCA), Cindy Paplham (CoSIDA)
1994 Sara Gonzales (AVCA), Cindy Paplham (AVCA, CoSIDA), Margo Rogers (AVCA)
1995 Stephanie Everett (AVCA), Holly Klein (AVCA)
1996 Sara Gonzales (AVCA), Holly Klein (CoSIDA), Aimee Tranel (AVCA)
1997 Stephanie Everett (AVCA), Lynn Olsen (AVCA, CoSIDA), Aimee Tranel (AVCA)
1998 Allison Erickson (AVCA), Stephanie Everett (AVCA), Lynn Olsen (AVCA, CoSIDA)
1999 Allison Erickson (AVCA), Melinda Erickson (AVCA), Lynn Olsen (AVCA, CoSIDA)
2000 Allison Erickson (AVCA), Melinda Erickson (AVCA)
2001 Kristy Dettman (AVCA), Allison Erickson (AVCA), Melinda Erickson (AVCA), Angie Wildish (AVCA)
2002 Kristin Dettman (AVCA), Angie Wildish (AVCA), Katie Monhart (AVCA), Lindsay Tomasovich (AVCA)
2003 Megan Kay (AVCA), Michelle Stanislawski (AVCA)
2004 Michelle Stanislawski (AVCA), Cassie Uttech (AVCA)

All-WWIAC/WIAC Selections
Year Player(s)
1981 Tracy Moate
1982 Patti Enger
1983 Andra Gremer, Lora Jacobs
1984 Andra Gremer, Dana Matteoni
1985 Deanne Dzik, Deborah Hoeft
1986 Chris Conradt, Deanne Dzik, Aurora Zurlo
1987 Chris Conradt, Deanne Dzik, Barb Lynch
1988 Chris Conradt, Pam Kane, Barb Lynch, Elizabeth Schiestle
1989 Diane Barth, Pam Kane, Barb Lynch
1990 Denise Cobb, Mary Slatner
1991 Denise Cobb, Mary Slatner
1992 Denise Cobb, Mary Jaskolski
1993 Denise Cobb, Mary Jaskolski
1994 Sara Gonzales, Cind Paplham, Margo Rogers
1995 Sara Gonzales, Jenny O'Connor
1996 Sara Gonzales, Jenny O'Connor
1997 Stephanie Everett, Lynn Olsen, Aimee Tranel
1998 Allison Erickson, Stephanie Everett, Lynn Olsen
1999 Allison Erickson, Melinda Erickson, Lynn Olsen
2000 Allison Erickson, Melinda Erickson
2001 Kristin Dettman, Allison Erickson, Melinda Erickson, Angie Wildish
2002 Kristin Dettman, Angie Wildish, Katie Monhart
2003 Megan Kay, Michelle Stanislawski, Jamie Konrath
2004 Michelle Stanislawski, Kim Fruit, Jamie Konrath, Cassie Uttech

NCAA III Championship All Tournament Team
Year Player
1996 Stephanie Everett
2000 Melinda Erickson
2000 Vanessa Walby
2001 Allison Erickson
2001 Melinda Erickson
2002 Kristin Dettman
2002 Angie Wildish
2002 Lindsay Tomasovich

WWIAC/WIAC Judy Kruckman Scholar-Athletes
Year Player
1986 Aurora Zurlo
1988 Chris Conradt
1994 Cindy Paplham
1997 Holly Klein
1999 Lynn Olsen
2001 Allison Erickson
2002 Kristin Dettman

Nine Earn AVCA All-America Honors

RELEASED: Wednesday, November 24, 2004

Madison, Wis.--Nine Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) women's volleyball players have been named to the 2004 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-America Team. UW-La Crosse's Laura Wagner and UW-Stout's Brooke Viegut were named to the first team, while UW-Stout's Tanille Hartwig and UW-Whitewater's Michelle Stanislawski were second team choices. UW-Eau Claire's Becca Carstensen, UW-Platteville's Joanna Carlson and UW-Whitewater's Cassie Uttech were recognized on the third team and UW-Platteville's Andrea Coffman and UW-River Falls' Nina Petersen were named to the honorable mention team.

Wagner, a senior middle hitter from West Bend, Wis. (West H.S.), was named the WIAC Player of the Year and led the league with 5.10 kills per game, while ranking third with a .337 hitting percentage and sixth with 1.09 blocks per contest. She recorded a WIAC-record 34 kills against UW-Whitewater on November 5 and is the second first team All-America pick in school history, joining Angela Muenkel in 1999.

Viegut, a senior outside hitter from Abbotsford, Wis., placed second in the WIAC with 4.68 kills per game, third with 4.94 digs per game and 14th with 0.38 service aces per contest. She is the second Blue Devil to earn first team honors, joining Erika Olmstead who was recognized in 1994.

Hartwig, a senior middle hitter from Athens, Wis., led the conference with 1.70 blocks per contest, while ranking third with 4.16 kills per game and sixth with a .313 hitting percentage. She set a school single-season record in block assists with 143 and also holds the career mark with 345. Hartwig was a third team All-America selection in 2002.

Stanislawski, a senior libero from Milwaukee, Wis. (Thomas More H.S.), placed fourth in the league with 4.42 digs per game and finished her career third on the school's all-time list with 1,551 digs and fifth with 2,357 assists.

Carstensen, a senior middle hitter from Eau Claire, Wis. (Memorial H.S.), ranked second in the WIAC with 1.52 blocks per game, fourth with 0.51 service aces per game, eighth with a .304 hitting percentage and 13th with 3.22 kills per game. She finished her career as the Blugolds' all-time leader in blocking assists with 384 and total blocks with 466. Carstensen is the eighth volleyball player in UW-Eau Claire history to receive All-America status.

Carlson, a senior setter from Forreston, Ill., placed second in the conference with 12.44 assists per contest. Her 1,542 assists this year broke the school single-mark and her 4,683 career assists established a school record.

Uttech, a senior outside hitter from Watertown, Wis., finished third in the WIAC with 0.53 service aces per contest, fourth with 3.93 kills per game and 13th with 3.69 digs per game.

Coffman, a senior middle hitter from German Valley, Ill. (Forreston H.S.), ranked sixth in the league with 3.52 kills per game, eighth with 1.05 blocks per contest and 10th with a .291 hitting percentage. She recorded 458 kills this year, the second-highest single-season total in school history. Coffman finished her career with the second-most career assisted blocks in the Pioneer record book, recording 275, and the third-most kills with 1,194.

Petersen, a senior outside hitter from Byron, Minn., placed 10th in the WIAC with 0.99 blocks per game and 17th with 0.35 services aces per contest. She finished her career with 1,217 kills, which lists her fifth on the school's all-time list. Petersen becomes the seventh Falcon to receive All-America accolades.

Stanislawski and Uttech are the 18th UW-Whitewater players to earn 44 total All-America awards since 1988, while Carlson and Coffman become the first Pioneers to earn All-America honors since Tammy Dietz was a second team selection in 1992.

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Nine Named To AVCA All-Midwest Region Team; UW-Platteville's Dzubay Named Freshman of the Year and Schulman Named Coach of the Year

RELEASED: Thursday, November 18, 2004

Madison, Wis.--Nine Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) women's volleyball players have been named to the 12-member 2004 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-Midwest Region Team.

UW-Eau Claire's Becca Carstensen, UW-La Crosse's Laura Wagner, UW-Platteville's Joanna Carlson and Andrea Coffman, UW-River Falls' Nina Petersen, UW-Stout's Tanille Hartwig and Brooke Viegut and UW-Whitewater's Michelle Stanislawski and Cassie Uttech all were recognized on the first team. UW-Platteville's Mallory Dzubay was named the region's Freshman of the Year, while the Pioneers' Deb Schulman received the Midwest Region Coach of the Year award.

Carstensen, a senior middle hitter from Eau Claire, Wis. (Memorial H.S.), ranks second in the WIAC with 1.52 blocks per game, fourth with 0.51 service aces per game, eighth with a .304 hitting percentage and 13th with 3.22 kills per game. She finished her career as the Blugolds' all-time leader in blocking assists with 384 and total blocks with 466.

Wagner, a senior middle hitter from West Bend, Wis. (West H.S.), was named the WIAC Player of the Year and leads the league with 5.10 kills per game, while ranking third with a .339 hitting percentage and fifth with 1.10 blocks per contest. She recorded a WIAC-record 34 kills against UW-Whitewater on November 5.

Carlson, a senior setter from Forreston, Ill., places second in the conference with 12.44 assists per contest. Her 1,542 assists this year broke the school single-mark and her 4,683 career assists established a school record.

Coffman, a senior middle hitter from German Valley, Ill. (Forreston H.S.), ranks sixth in the league with 3.52 kills per game, eighth with 1.05 blocks per contest and 10th with a .291 hitting percentage. She recorded 458 kills this year, the second-highest single-season total in school history. Coffman finished her career with the second-most career assisted blocks in the Pioneer record book, recording 275, and the third-most kills with 1,194.

Petersen, a senior outside hitter from Byron, Minn., was a honorable mention pick last year to the all-region team. This season, she places 10th in the WIAC with 0.70 blocks per game and 17th with 0.35 services aces per contest. Petersen finished her career with 1,217 kills, which lists her fifth on the school's all-time list.

Hartwig, a senior middle hitter from Athens, Wis., leads the conference with 1.70 blocks per contest, while ranking third with 4.16 kills per game and sixth with a .313 hitting percentage.

Viegut, a senior outside hitter from Abbotsford, Wis., places second in the WIAC with 4.68 kills per game, third with 4.94 digs per game and 14th with 0.38 service aces per contest.

Stanislawski, a senior libero from Milwaukee, Wis. (Thomas More H.S.), earned all-region honors for the second straight year. She ranks fourth in the league with 4.42 digs per game and finished her career third on the school's all-time list with 1,551 digs.

Uttech, a senior outside hitter from Watertown, Wis., places fourth in the conference with 3.93 kills per game and 0.53 services aces per contest and 13th with 3.69 digs per game.

Dzubay, a freshman outside hitter from Stewartville, Minn., made 361 kills in her first season and led the Pioneers with 58 service aces. She ranked fifth in the WIAC with 0.58 service aces per game. Dzubay is the fourth-straight individual from the conference to earn the regional freshman of the year award, joining UW-Platteville's Dana Alf (2003), UW-Stout's Tanille Hartwig (2002) and UW-Oshkosh's Amber Petersen (2001).

Schulman won her 400th match in 2004 and now has a 407-227 record in 17 seasons. Heading into the season, she had a team with only one new addition to the starting lineup from a club that was 17-18 the previous season and guided the squad to a 28-7 mark. The Pioneers also played a strong schedule with 16 matches against nationally-ranked teams and went 9-7 in those contests. In the first weekend of the season, UW-Platteville upended defending national champion Washington (Mo.) and snapped the Bears' 30-match home winning streak.

UW-La Crosse's Tanya Foldy and UW-Oshkosh's Amber Petersen received honorable mention to the AVCA All-Midwest Region squad. Foldy was an all-region first team selection a year ago.

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Three Earn Women's Volleyball Academic All-District Honors

RELEASED: Friday, November 12, 2004

Madison, Wis.--Three Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) women's volleyball student-athletes have been named to the 2004 CoSIDA Academic All-District Five College Division Women's Volleyball Team. UW-La Crosse's Laura Wagner was a second team selection, while UW-Eau Claire's Becca Carstensen and UW-Stout's Brooke Viegut were third team choices.

The team is comprised of all NCAA Division II, Division III and NAIA players from Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Minnesota and is voted on by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

Wagner, a senior from West Bend, Wis. (West H.S.), is majoring in finance and maintains a 3.88 grade point average. She recently earned WIAC Player of the Year honors and leads the league with 4.97 kills per game, while ranking third with a .337 hitting percentage and fifth with 1.13 blocks per contest.
Wagner has registered double-digit kills in 29 of her last 30 matches, including a WIAC-record 34 kills against UW-Whitewater on November 5.

Carstensen, a senior from Eau Claire, Wis. (Memorial H.S.), carries a 3.50 grade point average and is majoring in kinesiology. She was recently named the WIAC Judy Kruckman Women's Volleyball Scholar-Athlete for the 2004 season and also claimed all-WIAC first team honors for the second straight year. Carstensen ranks second in the league with 1.52 blocks per game, fourth with 0.51 service aces per contest, eighth with a .304 hitting percentage and 14th with 3.22 kills per game.

Viegut, a senior from Abbotsford, Wis., holds a 3.61 grade point average while majoring in dietetics. She recently earned all-WIAC first team honors after placing second in the conference with 4.72 kills per game, third with 4.76 digs per contest, 12th with 0.41 service aces per game and 16th with a .244 hitting percentage. Viegut also earned all-WIAC first team accolades in 2002.

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UW-La Crosse's Wagner Tops All-WIAC Women's Volleyball Team

RELEASED: Wednesday, November 10, 2004

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-La Crosse's Laura Wagner was voted the 2004 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Player of the Year, topping the 12-member all-WIAC Women's Volleyball Team, which was recently selected by the league coaches.

Wagner has helped UW-La Crosse to a 28-6 overall record and a second consecutive NCAA Division III Tournament bid this season. She leads the league with 4.97 kills per game, while ranking third with a .337 hitting percentage and fifth with 1.13 blocks per contest.

Wagner has registered double-digit kills in 29 of her last 30 matches, including a WIAC-record 34 kills against UW-Whitewater on November 5. The 34 kills is tied for the fifth-most in NCAA Division III this season. Her 562 kills this year rank fourth on the school's single-season list. She has been named to four all-tournament teams this season.

Wagner becomes the second Eagle to claim the conference's player of the year award. Angela Muenkel received the top honor during the 1999 season.

UW-Stout had a trio of individuals capture first team honors as Tanille Hartwig, Erin Heger and Brooke Viegut were all recognized. The trio helped the Blue Devils to their first NCAA Division III Tournament bid since 1998.

Hartwig earned first team honors for the second time in her career. She was a first team choice in 2002 and a honorable mention pick a year ago. Hartwig leads the conference with 1.65 blocks per game, while placing third with 4.31 kills per game and fourth with a .331 hitting percentage.

Heger leads the WIAC with 15.35 assists per game and ranks 19th with 3.30 digs per contest. She was all-defensive team selection in 2002.

Viegut places second in the conference with 4.72 kills per game, third with 4.76 digs per contest, 12th with 0.41 service aces per game and 16th with a .244 hitting percentage. She also earned first team status during the 2002 campaign.

UW-Whitewater's Jamie Konrath, Michelle Stanislawski and Cassie Uttech received first team honors after helping the team to the WIAC regular season championship and a spot in the NCAA Division III Tournament. Konrath leads the league with a .370 hitting percentage, while ranking 13th with 3.22 kills per game and 19th with 0.82 blocks per contest. She was a honorable mention selection a year ago.

Stanislawski earned first team honors for the second straight season after ranking fourth in the conference with 4.42 digs per game, while Uttech places third with 0.52 service aces per game, fourth with 3.93 kills per game and 11th with 3.75 digs per contest. Stanislawski was an all-defensive team honoree in 2002, while Uttech earned first team honors with UW-Oshkosh that same season.

UW-Platteville landed Joanna Carlson and Andrea Coffman on the first team after the squad compiled the most wins (27) since the 1992 season. Carlson was a honorable mention choice the last two years. She ranks second in the conference with 12.44 assists per game and 11th with 0.41 services aces per contest.

Coffman was a honorable mention choice last season and this year ranks fifth in the WIAC with 3.52 kills per game, while placing seventh with 1.05 blocks per contest and 10th with a .291 hitting percentage.

UW-Eau Claire's Becca Carstensen secured first team status for the second consecutive year after ranking second in the league with 1.52 blocks per game, fourth with 0.51 service aces per contest, eighth with a .304 hitting percentage and 14th with 3.22 kills per game.

UW-Oshkosh's Amber Petersen received first team honors for the second straight season after securing honorable mention status in 2002. She ranks third in the conference with 1.43 blocks per contest, while placing fifth with a .325 hitting percentage, eighth with 0.42 service aces per game and ninth with 3.35 kills per game.

UW-River Falls' Nina Petersen also claimed first team accolades for the second consecutive year after capturing honorable mention honors in 2002. She ranks eighth in the league with 3.40 kills per game, ninth with 0.99 blocks per game and 11th with 0.35 service aces per contest.

Named to the honorable mention team were: UW-Eau Claire's Jenny Wolter, UW-La Crosse's Tanya Foldy and Lindsey Johnson, UW-Oshkosh's Leah Rosenbaum, UW-Platteville's Dana Alf, UW-River Falls' Andrea Geehan, Kathryn Krtnick and Katie Thompson, UW-Stevens Point's Shelly Maus and UW-Whitewater's Kim Fruit.

The conference coaches also recognized a four-member all-defensive team and individuals receiving recognition included: UW-Eau Claire's Shanna Berger, UW-La Crosse's Jenny Randall, UW-Platteville's Miranda Hall and UW-Stevens Point's Lori Marten. Marten leads the conference with 5.37 digs per game, while Randall ranks second (4.86), Berger places sixth (4.20) and Hall is eighth (4.03). Randall also was recognized on the all-defensive squad in 2002.

UW-Stout head coach Jill Jolliff was voted the Coach of the Year by the league coaches for the second time in her career. She also claimed the award during the 1994 season. Jolliff has guided the Blue Devils to the WIAC Tournament title and a 30-4 record this year. She has compiled a 260-148 record in her 12 seasons at the school.

2004 All-WIAC Women's Volleyball Team
First Team
Name, School, Year, Position, Hometown (High School)
Joanna Carlson, Platteville, Senior, Setter, Forreston, Ill.
Becca Carstensen, Eau Claire, Senior, Middle Hitter, Eau Claire (Memorial)
Andrea Coffman, Platteville, Senior, Middle Hitter, German Valley, Ill. (Forreston)
Tanille Hartwig, Stout, Senior, Middle Hitter, Athens
Erin Heger, Stout, Senior, Setter, Chaska, Minn.
Jamie Konrath, Whitewater, Junior, Outside Hitter, Richfield (Hartland Union)
Amber Petersen, Oshkosh, Senior, Middle Blocker, Milwaukee (Nicolet)
Nina Petersen, River Falls, Senior, Outside Hitter, Byron, Minn.
Michelle Stanislawski, Whitewater, Senior, Setter, Milwaukee (Thomas More)
Cassie Uttech, Whitewater, Senior, Outside Hitter, Watertown
Brooke Viegut, Stout, Senior, Outside Hitter, Abbotsford
Laura Wagner, La Crosse, Senior, Middle Hitter, West Bend (West)

Honorable Mention
Dana Alf, Platteville, Sophomore, Outside Hitter, Eleva (Eleva-Strum)
Tanya Foldy, La Crosse, Junior, Setter, Muskego
Kim Fruit, Whitewater, Senior, Outside Hitter, Richland Center
Andrea Geehan, River Falls, Sophomore, Middle Hitter, St. Paul, Minn. (Como Park)
Lindsey Johnson, La Crosse, Senior, Outside Hitter, Osceola
Kathryn Krtnick, River Falls, Sophomore, Setter, Fridley, Minn.
Shelly Maus, Stevens Point, Freshman, Middle Blocker, Green Bay (Southwest)
Leah Rosenbaum, Oshkosh, Freshman, Middle Blocker, Wrightstown
Katie Thompson, River Falls, Sophomore, Outside Hitter, Forest Lake, Minn.
Jenny Wolter, Eau Claire, Junior, Outside Hitter, Osceola

All-Defensive Team
Shanna Berger, Eau Claire, Sophomore, Libero, Baldwin (Baldwin-Woodville)
Miranda Hall, Platteville, Junior, Libero, Brooklyn (Evansville)
Lori Marten, Stevens Point, Sophomore, Libero, Pittsville
Jenny Randall, La Crosse, Junior, Libero, White Bear Lake, Minn.

Player of the Year: Laura Wagner of La Crosse
Coach of the Year: Jill Jolliff of Stout
Judy Kruckman Co-Scholar-Athletes: Becca Carstensen of Eau Claire and Nina Petersen of River Falls

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Two Share Women's Volleyball Scholar-Athlete Award

RELEASED: Wednesday, November 10, 2004

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-River Falls' Nina Petersen and UW-Eau Claire's Becca Carstensen have been named the 2004 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Judy Kruckman Women's Volleyball Co-Scholar-Athletes, it was announced recently by WIAC Commissioner Gary Karner.

Petersen, a senior from Byron, Minn., is majoring in biology with a minor in psychology and maintains a 3.70 grade point average. She is a three-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll and has appeared on UW-River Falls' Dean's list on numerous occasions.

Petersen, a team captain this year, has earned all-WIAC first team honors the last two seasons after receiving honorable mention status in 2002. She earned all-Midwest Region honorable mention honors last year and has been a member of two WIAC championship teams. Additionally, Petersen has been a member of UW-River Falls' student-athlete advisory committee for the past three years.

Carstensen, a senior from Eau Claire, Wis. (Memorial H.S.), is majoring in kinesiology and carries a 3.50 grade point average. She has appeared on Eau Claire's Dean's list on numerous occasions as well as the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll. Carstensen has also earned an academic distinction honor from UW-Eau Claire over five separate semesters.

Carstensen has earned all-WIAC first team honors the last two seasons and was an all-Midwest Region honorable mention performer in 2003. She is the school's career leader in blocks and block assists and holds single match records for blocks and services aces. Carstensen was named co-captain for the 2003 and 2004 seasons as well as co-Most Valuable Player last year.

Carstensen is a member of UW-Eau Claire's student-athlete advisory committee, the American College of Sports Medicine, and the National Council on Sport & Fitness. She has served as the fundraising chair for UW-Eau Claire's SAAC, has been involved in sending packages to soldiers in Iraq, as well as volunteering with community fitness and community clean-up activities.

Also nominated for this year's scholar-athlete award were: UW-La Crosse's Lindsey Johnson, Rachel Kreuser and Laura Wagner, UW-Platteville's Joanna Carlson, UW-River Falls' Gina Anderson, UW-Stout's Kjersti Hamlin, Tanille Hartwig and Brooke Viegut, UW-Superior's Molly Ray and UW-Whitewater's Michelle Stanislawski.

The WIAC Scholar-Athlete Award is sponsored by Culver's. In order to be nominated for the scholar-athlete award, a student-athlete must have a minimum 3.25 grade point average, be in their last year of competition, or on schedule to graduate this academic year, and have competed for a minimum of two years.

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Three Teams Selected For NCAA Division III Women's Volleyball Tournament

RELEASED: Monday, November 8, 2004

Madison, Wis.--For the second straight season, three Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) women's volleyball teams have been selected to participate in the NCAA Division III Tournament. All three teams will compete in regional competition hosted by UW-La Crosse on November 11-13 in Mitchell Hall. Also representing the conference will be UW-Stout and UW-Whitewater.

UW-Stout (30-4) clinched an automatic bid into the 48-team national field by winning the WIAC Tournament title for the first time in school history. The Blue Devils are making their second NCAA Tournament appearance in team history after also participating in 1998. UW-Stout received a first round bye at the regional and will play the winner of Concordia-Moorhead (Minn.) (23-3) and Lakeland (25-13) on November 12 at 4:30 p.m.

UW-La Crosse (28-6) received one of five at-large bids into the national tournament and will play St. Norbert (31-8) on November 11 at 7 p.m. UW-La Crosse will be making its 10th appearance in the NCAA Tournament and second straight after advancing to the quarterfinals last season.

UW-Whitewater (34-5) also received an at-large bid into the tournament and is making the 13th straight postseason appearance, and 17th overall, in school history. The Warhawks claimed the WIAC regular season championship for the third time in the last four seasons this year and recorded 30 or more wins for the 10th time in the last 12 seasons. UW-Whitewater captured the national title in 2002 and finished second in 2001 and 2000.

The Warhawks received a first round bye in the regional and will play the winner of the UW-La Crosse/St. Norbert match on November 12 at 7:00 p.m.

The regional championship match will be held on November 13 at 7:00 p.m. with the winner advancing to the national quarterfinals on November 20.

NCAA Division III Midwest Regional
Thursday, November 11
4:30 p.m.--Concordia-Moorhead (Minn.) vs. Lakeland College (Wis.)
7 p.m.--UW-La Crosse vs. St. Norbert College (Wis.)

Friday, November 12
4:30 p.m.--UW-Stout vs. Concordia-Moorhead/Lakeland winner
7 p.m.--UW-Whitewater vs. UW-La Crosse/St. Norbert winner

Saturday, November 13
7 p.m.--Championship Match

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Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Whitewater claimed the 2004 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) women's volleyball championship with a 30-25, 31-29, 30-21 victory over UW-Platteville on October 20 at Williams Fieldhouse in Platteville.

The conference title for the Warhawks is the third in the last four seasons and 11th in school history. They also won league championships in 2002, 2001, 2000, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1993, 1989, 1988 and 1980.

UW-Whitewater, ranked 10th in the country, finished the conference slate with a 7-1 record to outdistance UW-Stout, which finished second at 6-2. UW-Platteville tied for third in the conference standings with a 5-3 mark.

In the match against the 11th-ranked Pioneers, UW-Whitewater claimed game one 30-25 and rallied from a 28-25 deficit to win game two, then bolted to a 15-5 third-game lead over the stunned Pioneers. The Warhawks' Cassie Uttech had a match-high 12 kills, while Jamie Konrath and Alison Miller contributed 11 kills and 10 kills, respectively. Konrath compiled a .421 hitting percentage in the match.

UW-Whitewater also secured the top seed for the WIAC Tournament, which begins on November 2. The Warhawks will host eighth-seeded UW-Stevens Point in the quarterfinals. Additional quarterfinal matchups include seventh seed UW-Oshkosh at second seed UW-Stout, sixth seed UW-Eau Claire at third seed UW-Platteville and fifth seed UW-La Crosse at fourth seed UW-River Falls. Quarterfinal winners will advance to the league semifinals and finals, which will be hosted by the highest remaining seed on November 5-6.

The winner of the conference tournament will receive the league's automatic bid into the NCAA Division III Tournament.

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University of Wisconsin-Whitewater women's volleyball head coach Kris Russell and UW-Platteville's Deb Schulman recently reached coaching milestones in matches played on October 15.

Russell recorded her 800th career victory in UW-Whitewater's 30-25, 30-24, 30-21 win over Calvin (Mich.). Russell, in her 24th season at UW-Whitewater, is the eighth active college women's volleyball coach (including NCAA Division I, II and III schools), and just the third in NCAA Division III to direct a team to 800 wins. She owns an all-time record of 802-228.

Schulman registered her 400th career win in UW-Platteville's 30-24, 30-23, 30-20 victory over Hope (Mich.). In her 17th season, Schulman is now 402-222 and ranks fourth on the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference's all-time wins list.

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University of Wisconsin-Whitewater's Cassie Uttech has been named the Sports Impact/NCAA Division III National Player of the Week by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) for her efforts on October 1-2.

Uttech, a senior outside hitter from Watertown, led the Warhawks to two league victories over nationally ranked opponents. She averaged 6.3 kills, 5.8 digs and 0.17 aces per game for the week while hitting .322. Uttech hit .389 with 25 kills and 16 digs versus 15th-ranked UW-Stout on October 1. She added 13 kills and 17 digs against 16th-ranked UW-River Falls on October 2.

Uttech's 6.3 kills average last week is 2.35 per game more than her season average, while her weekly dig average is 2.0 more than her season average. The two league victories put the Warhawks into first place in the WIAC standings. Uttech is the fourth Warhawk to win the national award in school history.

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Petersen Retires As UW-Oshkosh Head Women's Volleyball Coach

RELEASED: Tuesday, September 28, 2004

Oshkosh, Wis.--For nearly a quarter-century Marty Petersen paced the sidelines as head coach of the UW-Oshkosh women’s volleyball team. As of today, she no longer will.

Petersen retired from coaching Tuesday (Sept. 28) after a distinguished 22-year career that included 630 wins, five Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) championships and three National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III Final Four appearances.

“This decision was a very difficult one for me to make,” said Petersen. “On one hand I love this sport and this team, but on the other hand I’m no longer physically able to coach at the level that I feel is necessary.”

Petersen replaced Betty Ralston as the head women’s volleyball coach at UW-Oshkosh in 1983. Since then, the 1975 UW-Oshkosh graduate guided her alma mater to a 630-368 record (.631 winning percentage), including 12 30-plus win seasons. The Titans reached 40 wins six times under Petersen’s guidance, going 42-21 in 1984, 41-20 in 1988, 44-5 in 1990, 42-8 in 1991, 41-5 in 1995 and 40-5 in 1996. Last year’s team compiled a 29-9 record and ended the year ranked 21st in the NCAA Division III by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA).

“Marty has had a great run as our head women’s volleyball coach,” said UW-Oshkosh Director of Athletics Allen Ackerman. “Health problems have brought her successful coaching career to an early end. She will be missed in our athletics department, but I’m delighted that she will remain part of the university as a member of the intramural sports department. Marty has been a great coach and a true friend.”

UW-Oshkosh qualified for NCAA Division III postseason play nine times during Petersen’s tenure, highlighted by a second-place finish in 1994 and fourth-place finishes in 1991 and 1996. The Titans also competed in the NCAA Division III Championship in 1990, 1993, 1995, 1998, 2000 and 2001 and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Tournament in 1988 and 1989.

In the WIAC, Petersen led UW-Oshkosh to league titles in 1990, 1991, 1994, 1995 and 2001. The Titans also finished second in 1993.

Petersen has been honored as a coach of the year award winner four times during her UW-Oshkosh reign. She was named NCAA Division III Coach of the Year by Asics in 1994 and 1996 and WIAC Coach of the Year in 1990 and 1996.

“UW-Oshkosh has been my home for a long time,” said Petersen. “The people I have worked for and with have been more than just co-workers and bosses. They have been my friends and my family. They have given me opportunities that I would never have had elsewhere. I owe a great deal to those people and this university.”

Collectively, members of the UW-Oshkosh women’s volleyball program have combined to receive 14 NCAA Division III All-America, one NAIA All-America and 38 All-WIAC selections under Petersen’s leadership. Among the honorees is Amy Ward, who was named the NCAA Division III Player of the Year in 1996, and three-time All-Americans Amy Cayemberg (1989-91) and Christina Southward (1999-2001).

“As the saying goes, 'when one door closes, another one opens,'” said Petersen. “I look forward to the new challenges I will face, but I will never forget the players, fellow coaches and staff here at UW-Oshkosh.”

Petersen’s retirement means that the UW-Oshkosh women’s volleyball program will usher in a new era. That era begins Friday (Oct. 1) in Kolf Sports Center when interim head coach Brian Schaefer leads UW-Oshkosh into a WIAC match against defending league champion UW-River Falls. UW-Oshkosh enters the contest with a 12-5 record and a four-match winning streak. The Titans were ranked 20th in the latest NCAA Division III poll conducted by the AVCA.

“I leave this program in very capable hands,” said Petersen. “Brian has been the best assistant a head coach can have. He knows the game, knows the players and has been a great support to me for all his years here. He has earned this opportunity and I know he will be successful.”

Schaefer has been an assistant coach to Petersen for the past six-plus seasons. He also has been the head coach of the men’s club team at UW-Oshkosh for the past five years. Schaefer has guided the UW-Oshkosh men’s club team to a 185-97-4 record and two Wisconsin Volleyball Conference (WVC) titles. Last spring, UW-Oshkosh posted a 48-11-1 record, captured the WVC title and finished fifth at the National Intramural Recreation Sports Association (NIRSA) Division I Championship. The Kaukauna native played for the UW-Oshkosh men’s club team from 1994 to 1996 and from 1999 to 2001, helping the Titans to a 167-89-1 record and a NIRSA Division II title in 1996.

“I’m excited about this opportunity to lead the UW-Oshkosh women’s volleyball program,” said Schaefer. “I have learned a lot from Marty and will make every effort to continue and build upon the program’s outstanding tradition. I am proud to be associated with UW-Oshkosh and look forward to instilling that attitude into the student-athletes I coach."

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Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, which has secured conference titles in six of the last eight seasons, is favored to win the 2004 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) women's volleyball championship, according to the league's sports information directors.

The Warhawks, who are ranked No. 11 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Preseason Poll, received three first-place votes in the conference survey.

UW-La Crosse received four first-place votes in the league poll and is expected to finish second in the nine-team conference derby. The Eagles shared last year's championship with UW-River Falls and enter the season ranked No. 10 nationally.

UW-Oshkosh and UW-Stout each received one first-place vote. The Titans are pegged to finish third in the conference ledger, while the Blue Devils are projected to place fifth.

Following is a brief preview of each WIAC women's volleyball team, listed in alphabetical order, with its 2003 overall and conference record in parenthesis.

UW-Eau Claire (23-10, 5-3)

UW-Eau Claire returns 10 letterwinners from last year's team, which recorded 20-plus wins for the fifth consecutive season. In 2003, the Blugolds finished second in the WIAC with a .256 hitting percentage, 14.92 kills per game and 2.67 service aces per game and fourth with 2.51 blocks per game.

Heading the charge in 2004 is all-Midwest Region honorable mention and all-WIAC first team senior middle hitter Becca Carstensen, who was third in the league with 0.57 service aces per game and fourth with a .329 hitting percentage and 1.18 blocks per game a year ago. For her career, Carstensen ranks third in the Blugold record book with 234 blocking assists, seventh with 282 total blocks and eighth with a .286 hitting percentage.

Junior outside hitter Molly Menard returns to the Blugold front row after earning all-WIAC honorable mention recognition in 2003. She registered 2.96 kills per contest and 2.05 digs per game. Junior right-side hitter Jenny Wolter compiled 170 kills and 79 total blocks in 116 games.

Sophomore setter Carly Freiborg shared setting responsibilities in 2003 and ranked 10th in the WIAC with 6.31 assists per game. Sophomore libero Shanna Berger returns to the Blugolds after taking a year off in 2003. As a freshman in 2002, Berger was second on the team with 389 digs.

UW-La Crosse (33-6, 7-1)

After claiming a share of the WIAC regular-season crown, winning its first-ever WIAC Tournament title and advancing to the NCAA Division III Quarterfinals a year ago, UW-La Crosse returns eight letterwinners in 2004. The Eagles finished sixth in the final NCAA Division III poll in 2003 and head coach Sheila Perkins, the 2003 WIAC and Midwest Region Coach of the Year, will look to a group of strong returnees with extensive experience to maintain last year's success.

Junior setter Tanya Foldy was named to last year's all-America third team after setting a single-season school record with 1,641 assists. She was also named to the all-Midwest Region team and all-WIAC first team. Foldy ranks second at UW-La Crosse with 3,044 career assists. Senior Lindsey Johnson returns at outside hitter after finishing second on the squad with 417 kills last season (3.34 per game) and third with 65 blocks.

Seniors Laura Wagner and Rachel Kreuser, along with junior Ashley Pierce are back at middle hitter. Wagner averaged 3.36 kills and 1.02 blocks per game last season. Kreuser was named to the all-Midwest Region and all-WIAC honorable mention teams in 2003 after leading the squad with 187 blocks, third on the school's single-season list. Pierce finished with 115 kills and 59 blocks in 81 games.

Senior Natalie Liffrig and junior Jenny Randall will take care of the defensive side this season. Liffrig played in 129 games with 135 digs and 40 service aces last year, while Randall, the libero, played in 142 games and finished second on the team with 533 digs.

UW-Oshkosh (29-9, 5-3)

In 2003, UW-Oshkosh ranked 21st in the final NCAA Division III poll, recorded 20-plus wins for the 10th time in 11 years and graduated an all-America performer for the eighth time in 11 seasons.

Entering her 22nd season with the Titans and an overall mark of 618-363, head coach Marty Petersen will once again try to keep her program among the best in the NCAA Division III by attempting to blend seven returning letterwinners with a talented group of newcomers. Five letterwinners are lost to this year's team, including left-side hitter Amanda Delgadillo who received all-America second team honors last season.

Starters Mary Jo Chart, Ashley Fischer and Amber Petersen return from last year's squad, which played an extremely difficult schedule, with eight of their nine losses coming to teams that were listed in the top 24 of the final NCAA Division III poll.

Amber Petersen, a senior middle blocker, will be counted on as a force in the UW-Oshkosh attack this season. Petersen received all-WIAC first team accolades last year after totaling 406 kills, 99 digs, 77 service aces, a .369 hitting percentage and a league-high 218 blocks. Fischer, a junior setter, collected all-WIAC honorable mention status last year after compiling 1,702 assists, 364 digs, 189 kills, 105 blocks and a WIAC-best 92 service aces. Chart, a senior right-side hitter, registered 193 kills, 97 digs and 57 blocks a year ago.

UW-Oshkosh's newcomer list is led by transfer Julie Lorenz. Lorenz, a junior libero, received National Junior College Athletic Association Division III All-America honorable mention recognition last year while attending the College of DuPage (Ill.).

UW-Platteville (17-18, 2-6)

A very experienced UW-Platteville team will look to move up in the WIAC standings behind 11 returning letterwinners from last year's squad. Veteran head coach Deb Schulman, who has compiled a 379-219 record in 16 years, welcomes back five starters, plus one from 2002 who missed last year.

Two-time all-WIAC honorable mention setter Joanna Carlson paces the team. The senior set a school record with 1,465 assists last fall. Among those she will set to include senior hitter Andrea Coffman, who broke the school single-season record with 374 kills and earned all-WIAC honorable mention accolades last year.

Sophomore Dana Alf also returns after amassing 312 kills and 101 blocks, while earning the NCAA Division III Midwest Region Freshman of the Year honors a year ago. Senior Shannon Boatman compiled 259 kills and 145 blocks, while junior Caitlin Smith added 305 kills. Junior Rachel Schueller, who led the 2002 team with a .246 hitting percentage, returns after missing last season due to an injury.

Junior Miranda Hall registered 288 kills a year ago and will move into the libero position in 2004, while senior Pam Pustina, who had 258 digs and 41 service aces, anchors the defensive back row.

UW-River Falls (35-6, 7-1)

UW-River Falls will have to rely on several new faces on the court after eight seniors graduated from the 2003 team that claimed a share of the WIAC regular-season title and earned a spot in the NCAA Division III Tournament.

The Falcons return nine letterwinners with four seniors, led by hitter Nina Petersen, who earned all-Midwest Region honorable mention and all-WIAC first team accolades a season ago. She finished the 2003 campaign with 379 kills, 114 digs, 102 blocks and a .238 hitting percentage.

Logan Kiesch and Melissa Jude return as outside hitters. Kiesch finished with 451 digs, 314 kills, 57 blocks and 44 service aces, while Jude had 59 digs, 33 kills and five blocks. Middle hitter Gina Anderson, who played in 39 games in 2002, is back after missing the 2003 season.

The Falcons return five sophomores in Katheryn Krtnick, along with middle hitters Andrea Geehan and Kiah Sagami and twin sisters Katie and Molly Thompson, who play outside hitter.

Melissa Tvrdik is a big loss in the Falcon lineup after she earned all-America first team and WIAC Player of the Year accolades in 2003. Krystle Brune, who claimed all-America third team status a year ago, also completed her eligibility and leaves as the school's all-time leader with 1,707 career kills.

UW-Stevens Point (11-23, 1-7)

With 13 letterwinners and four starters returning, there's reason for optimism at UW-Stevens Point. The Pointers missed the conference tournament last season, but expect to improve those efforts around a strong core of veterans.

Leading the Pointers' offense are seniors Nichole Stahovich and Jessica Parker, who both amassed over 250 kills last season. Juniors Melissa Weber and Kelli Rydeen and sophomores Amber Groshek and Molly Orte also saw quality playing time last season and return on the front line. Sophomores Katie Stephenson and Courtney Ludwig are back to add depth up front.

Sophomore Lori Marten was a solid libero for the Pointers last season, averaging 3.63 digs per game and returns to anchor the defense. UW-Stevens Point also has two setters back in junior Toni Johnson and
sophomore Maggie Fasan.

UW-Stout (22-13, 2-6)

Injuries played a big part in the Blue Devils' finish last year, but time helped to heal the injuries and senior Brooke Viegut, who was out nearly the entire season, and junior Tanille Zenner, who played injured, look to return at full strength.

Statistically, Zenner leads the returnees with 3.23 kills per game, 1.13 blocks per contest and a .269 hitting percentage. She earned all-WIAC honorable mention status after being named to the first team in 2002. Senior Erin Heger jumped into the setter position, filling the void admirably and finishing the 2003 season with 1,358 assists.

Zenner received strong support from senior middle hitter Lindsay Mensink, sophomore middle hitter Jenny McDermid and senior outside hitter Kjersti Hamlin. Mensink registered 2.52 kills per game, 0.97 blocks per game and 39 service aces, while McDermid added 1.28 kills per contest and 0.74 blocks per game. Hamlin contributed 2.14 kills per game and 2.50 digs per contest.

Sophomore Ellie Feenstra, a transfer from NCAA Division II Anderson College (S.C.), should help the Blue Devils both offensively and defensively. Feenstra led Anderson in kills and digs in 2003.

Junior Rachel Linbo is back as the libero and senior Scooter Aspen returns as a defensive specialist. Also returning are sophomore setter Kat Roesler, sophomore outside hitters Ashley Brant and Sarah McElfresh, as well as sophomore defensive specialist Kristina Bushman.

UW-Superior (13-21, 1-7)

UW-Superior head coach Lynne Deadrick enters her second season and welcomes back six of her top players from the 2003 squad as the Yellowjackets look to make a move up the conference standings.

The returnees are led by a pair of all-WIAC honorable mention selections in senior outside hitter Kim Dunbar and junior middle hitter Molly Ray. Dunbar ranked second in the conference with 3.68 kills per game a year ago, while ranking second on the team with 3.04 digs per contest. Ray was third in the league with 3.63 kills per game and led the squad with a .244 hitting percentage and 36 service aces.

Other top returnees include junior outside hitter Amber Bergson, junior middle hitter Katie O'Hara, sophomore outside hitter Anne LeBard and sophomore setter Chelsie Roy. Bergson accumulated 1.72 kills per game and 32 service aces in 2003, while O'Hara was second on the team with 58 total blocks.

Six transfers and eight freshmen are also expected to provide the Yellowjackets with immediate help this year.

UW-Whitewater (28-10, 6-2)

There is nothing unlucky about "13" for UW-Whitewater. The Warhawks, who have earned a NCAA Division III Tournament berth for 12 consecutive seasons, could make it 13 in 2004. Kris Russell enters her 24th season with the Warhawks and ranks second on the NCAA Division III all-time wins list with 778 victories.

UW-Whitewater has 12 letterwinners, including five starters, back from last season's team with seven of the returnees having played in more than 100 games a year ago. Senior setter Michelle Stanislawski earned all-America honorable mention and all-WIAC first team honors last season, while leading the league with 12.62 assists per game.

Junior outside hitter Jamie Konrath led the team with a .326 hitting percentage in 2003 and earned all-WIAC honorable mention status. Fellow junior Katie Pocius led the team with 3.20 kills per contest and 55 service aces. Sophomore left-side hitter Becky Angst and sophomore right-side hitter Abbie Mueller ranked second on the team with 133 games played and 48 service aces, respectively. Kim Fruit, the lone senior on the squad, compiled 4.25 digs per game last year, to record the fifth-highest total in school history.

The Warhawks will likely miss all-America honorable mention blocker Megan Kay, but a roster of experienced players should offset her departure. UW-Whitewater will also benefit from the team-building time together on a trip to Australia in January and contributions of 2003 redshirts and the 2004 recruiting class.

2004 Preseason Predictions (Voted on by WIAC Sports Information Directors)

1. Whitewater (3)
2. La Crosse (4)
3. Oshkosh (1)
4. Eau Claire
5. Stout (1)
6. River Falls
7. Platteville
8. Superior
9. Stevens Point

( )--First-place votes

UW-La Crosse Receives AVCA Team Academic Award

RELEASED: Tuesday, August 3, 2004

Madison, Wis.--The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse women's volleyball team has been named a recipient of the Team Academic Award from the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) for the 2003-04 academic year.

The award, initiated in the 1992-93 academic year, honors college and high school teams that displayed excellence in the classroom by maintaining at least a 3.30 cumulative grade-point average on a 4.0 scale. Nominating head coaches must be AVCA members.

UW-La Crosse was one of 48 NCAA Division III institutions to be recognized by the AVCA. The Eagles also received the honor last year.

"The AVCA Team Academic Award captures the true essence of the student-athlete, and the AVCA is honored to recognize these schools for excellence in the classroom," Katherine McConnell, AVCA executive director said. "We are especially pleased to bestow this prestigious award to a record number of teams for the third year in a row."

UW-La Crosse will receive a plaque, and each player will be given a certificate commemorating the achievement.

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