Ball State University Athletics
2006 Women's Volleyball Season Preview
August 10, 2006 | Women's Volleyball
According to 18th-year Ball State women's volleyball head coach Randy Litchfield, there are three different types of seasons; Rebuilding, Reloading and Retooling.
When the Cardinals take the court for the first time in 2006, they will begin what Litchfield describes as one of only a few retooling years he has experienced over his coaching career.
"In my entire career we have never had to rebuild the program, but we have retooled several times and this is certainly one of those years," Litchfield said. "We are going to make the changes - - both philosophically and strategically - - needed to get back to the point where we can win the Mid-American Conference Championship, reach the NCAA Tournament and compete in the NCAA Tournament."
Last season, the Cardinals looked poised to return to the field of 64 for the eighth time in school history when they finished the year with a 21-10 overall record, reached the MAC Tournament finals and defeated Alabama in the final weekend of the regular season. However, the NCAA selection committee chose not to reward the Cardinals with an at large bid.
"We are all still bitter about being left out of the NCAA Tournament last season. While we finished the year on a high note, it turned out we did not start off the season quite strong enough. So our game plan this season has to be to play our best volleyball all year long."
To accomplish their goals on the court, the Cardinals are also going to have to find a way to replace two of the most prolific players in school history in Sarah Obras and Rachel Refenes. Obras finished her career as BSU's career leader in nearly every offensive category, while Refenes was one of the most dominate net players in Ball State annals, recording school records for blocks-per-game average in a season and career.
"With the loss of Sarah and Rachel, plus two additional senior - - Stepahine Bacan and Kristin Westhof - - there is a great opportunity for players to fill star rolls. Deep down, everyone wants to be a star and I think we have players ready to step up and take on the challenge.
"Last season, we had some players who had to stand back and wait in the shadows because of the strong play and personalities of our senior class. With the numbers on the table to be had this season, I hope there are a bunch of excited players ready to fill the void. If that happens, great things will follow."
Looking around the court, Litchfield returns just three starters and five letterwinners from last season's squad. Added to the mix are a sophomore transfer, five redshirt freshmen - - including another transfer student - - and four true freshmen.
LIBERO/DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST
Leading the charge on the court for the Cardinals in 2006 will be team captain senior Amanda McCormick, a 2005 American Volleyball Coaches Association All-America Honorable Mention and CVU.com Stellar Spikers First Team selection. Last season, McCormick ranked first in the league and fourth in the nation with a school-record 6.32 digs-per-game average. The first player in school history to earn national player of the week accolades, McCormick also set BSU single-season records for matches with double-figure digs (30) and matches with 20-plus digs (21).
"Our libero position is as solid as it gets. Over the summer, Amanda has rededicated herself to the game and has the goal of playing professionally after her career at Ball State is over. The rest she has gotten over the last couple of months will be a huge benefit for her physically. While mentally, she is going to be strong and very capable leader for us. Our young players are going to benefit a great deal from her."
Adding depth to the libero/defensive specialist position is Caitlin Morency, who has "evolved into a solid backcourt player and is ready to step in and help the program" according to Litchfield.
OUTSIDE ATTACKERS
On the outside, senior Kelly Cochran looks to build upon a very successful 2005 campaign which saw her post career-high marks in nearly every statistical category, including kills per game (3.30), digs per game (3.45), blocks per game (0.32), service aces per game (0.27) and hitting percentage (.180).
"Kelly will be our staple outside attacker and can be penciled into the lineup all the time. She is one of the most dynamic jumpers I have ever coached and our goal is not to overload her so we can keep her fresh and ready to go each and every night."
Adding support for Cochran on the outside will be junior Brittany May, who will also see time in the middle. Last season, May averaged 1.72 kills per game, while posting 0.55 blocks per game.
"Brittany has the ability to be a dominating player on the outside and in the middle, which will be a huge asset to us. She gives us a big blocker and big arm on the left side and will take some of the load off Kelly."
Also looking to see action on the outside are redshirt freshmen Madison Monk and Rachel Alcorn, as well as true freshmen Julie Breivogel, Courtney Diggins and Ana Gabriela Pedrosa.
MIDDLE/OPPOSITE SIDE ATTACKERS:
Highlighting a group of six players slated to see action as either a middle attacker or opposite side attacker is senior Kirby Gibson who posted a 0.66 blocks-per-game average last season, while collecting 1.57 kills per game.
"Kirby will play a large role in our three-middle system. She is someone who plays well into our system of flexibility, as she can play opposite and run all sorts of slide footwork from her middle spot."
Perhaps the biggest off-season addition for the Cardinals comes in the form of sophomore transfer Christine Kennedy. Kennedy joins the BSU program after spending one year at St. Mary's College of California, which was an NCAA Tournament participant and spent time in the top 25 poll last year. While she only saw limited action, she was able to collect seven total blocks versus both No. 12 Santa Clara and No. 20 San Diego.
"With Christine deciding to transfer to Ball State, we suddenly gained some depth in the middle and a lot more flexibility. Prior to her addition, we were going to be very static in the middle. Now we can play with some things as Christine plays hard and with a lot of emotion."
Other choices for Litchfield in the middle/opposite side attacking positions include May, Breivogel, redshirt freshman Elaina Kakatolis and redshirt freshman transfer Brittany Warnke, who comes to BSU from Central Missouri State University.
SETTING
For the second-straight season, redshirt junior Angie Parrell will serve as the team's main setter. Last season, Parrell became just the 10th player in school history to record over 1,000 career assists. She currently ranks seventh on BSU's all-time list at 1,694. Her 1,339 dishes in 2006 also rank as the seventh-best single season total in team annals. For her efforts on the court and in the classroom, Parrell earned praise on the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District V Third Team.
"Our setting situation is fantastic. I feel Angie is ready to jump forward. She has been an underclassman setting for a lot of real strong upperclassman hitters, which can be a real challenge for a young setter. Now she is an upperclassman and it is her time to manage the court. I think she will thrive in this environment."
Backing up Parrell is freshman Cassie Conner, a player Litchfield sees as someone who will "push for the starting position and be ready to play."
SCHEDULE
Looking at the schedule, BSU opens the season with the Ball State Nike/Active Ankle Classic which features three regional opponents in IPFW, Michigan State and Xavier. BSU will also compete in tournaments at Alabama and Western Kentucky.
"For a team which is going to be very new to each other and replacing as many numbers as we are, our early season schedule is going to be extremely challenging. Our tests begin right out of the gate, starting with our own tournament which features two teams - - Michigan State and IPFW - - who defeated us last season as well as Xavier.
"At Alabama, our match with the Crimson Tide will be a big-time revenge match. While Alabama still made the NCAA Tournament after losing to us at Worthen Arena, they are going to come after us. Our matches versus UW-Milwaukee in Alabama and at Western Kentucky could also play a big roll in November."
In addition to facing IPFW, Michigan State and Xavier, the Cardinals will play three more big non-conference regional contests versus Butler, IUPUI and Wright State.
"Our matches against instate and geographical rivals get bigger and bigger every year. We have to take care of business in our regional matches, because they mean a lot and are going to be very competitive."
The Cardinals open Mid-American Conference action Sept. 22 with a trip to Miami. Four league matches later, Ball State will host three-time defending MAC regular season and tournament champion Ohio in its first trip to Muncie since 2003.
"You hear the cliché all the time about how tough the MAC is, and it is undoubtedly very tough in volleyball. There are 317 Division I volleyball programs and six of our teams play in the top 100. Ohio has set the standard in recent years and many say they are a legitimate top 15 program. In addition to us, Bowling Green, Eastern Michigan, Miami and Western Michigan are also top 100 teams.
"Last year we went 11-5 in league play, which does not cut it. We are a better program, which is what we are out to prove this season. One weekend I have circled on my calendar is our traditional Western Michigan/Northern Illinois trip. That trip has gotten us recently and I desperately want to correct it because it decides if we are going to be playing for a league championship."
The Cardinals will conclude regular season and league action the weekend of Nov. 10-11 by hosting Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan. The 2006 MAC Tournament kicks off Nov. 14 with first-round matches at campus sites before moving to the Toledo SeaGate Centre Nov. 17-19 for the final three rounds.
With the players and schedule set, Litchfield and the Cardinals look for the same success the team saw during its last retooling period.
"Ironically, the last time we retooled, in 2002, we won the MAC regular season and tournament championships and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. So a retooling year does not necessarily mean you take a step backwards. It just means you have to be committed to making the changes needed to get the program back to where you want it."
