Ball State University Athletics
Q & A With Women's Volleyball Head Coach Dave Boos
August 13, 2007 | Women's Volleyball
Q: What is your vision for the program?
A: Our staff wants to build on the storied history of Ball State Volleyball and take the program to an elite level nationally.
To reach this elite level, our student-athletes must excel on the court and in the classroom, while exciting the community about our program.
We are located in the heart of Midwest Volleyball, Muncie, Indiana. This community understands and appreciates volleyball. The support for the sport of volleyball in Muncie and at Ball State University will allow this program to reach a level few programs can achieve.
As we begin to progress toward elite status on the court, I fully expect our attendance to explode. This season we want to lay the foundation for the relationship with our fans by giving them a team that is fun to watch, while representing the high standards and excellence of Ball State University and this community.
Q: What are your thoughts on the middle blockers?
A: Christine Kennedy is the only returning middle blocker on our roster. She played very well this spring and proved to be a force both offensively and defensively.
The other middle blocker position will be filled by one of our incoming freshmen. Ashley Heyman comes to Ball State as a true middle blocker with a lot of high-level high school and club experience. Ashley's biggest challenge will be picking up our offensive and defensive systems.
Alexis Shonkwiler and Abby LaVigne are both athletic, versatile players who will be fighting for playing time at multiple positions, including middle blocker.
Having to start one of three freshmen will be the wildcard of our line-up this fall. However, I like having a few different options going into the season.
Q: What are your thoughts on the outside hitters?
A: The left-side hitting position returns our starting tandem from the spring season in senior Brittany May and sophomore Julie Breivogel.
Brittany has been a major contributor throughout her career at Ball State. She has played both middle blocker and outside hitter during her career, but we see her on the outside this fall. This spring Brittany proved to be our most terminal hitter and we are expecting big things out of her this season.
Julie Breivogel is coming off a great freshmen year where she was named to the MAC All-Freshman Team. Julie and Brittany will be relied upon as the steadying force of the team. Our experienced outside hitters will be able to erase many of the mistakes of our inexperienced team.
Elaina Kakatolis returns as the primary candidate for the right-side hitting position. Elaina is our most physical blocker who can disrupt our opponent's offense. Her constantly improving offense could also play a major role this year.
Once again, Alexis Shonkwiler and Abby LaVigne will be competing for positions on both the left and right side hitting positions.
Q: What are your thoughts on the setters?
A: Angie Parrell returns for her final season as the team's most experienced player. Angie has been through the rigors of the MAC season and will provide valuable leadership for this team.
Sophomore Cassie Connor gained a lot of experience during her freshman season and has learned what it takes to win in the MAC. Cassie started matches in 2006 and will push Angie for the starting position from our first day in practice.
Through the competition for the starting spot, Angie and Cassie will make each other better this fall.
Q: What are your thoughts on the libero/defensive specialists?
A: We obviously have a major hole to fill with the graduation of All-American libero Amanda McCormick. However, we are not looking for someone to step in and do all the things that Amanda did for this team last fall. We are looking for this unit of players to collectively fill the void and become a stabilizing force for our team.
We have multiple candidates to fill the libero position, including freshman Alyssa Rio and sophomore Madison Monk. This position is currently the most wide-open on our roster and we will establish the right person for the position during our competitive preseason.
Q: Who do you see as the impact players?
A: This is a difficult question with all the inexperience on the roster. However, I would expect our two seniors - - Angie Parrell and Brittany May - - to have big years for us.
They will be asked to carry a significant role on the court and as leaders. I expect both of them to excel in this role.
Q: What contributions do you expect from the freshmen?
A: The freshmen will provide needed depth at each position. We have a fairly complicated style of play that will take some time to adjust to. However, this class is very gifted and will be fighting for playing time from day one.
I would expect to see each of our freshmen on the floor at different times throughout the year.
Q: Where does the team need to improve?
A: Our primary issue this fall is going to be our inexperience. We only have three players on our roster who have more than one year of college volleyball experience.
This inexperience has the potential to create some tremendous highs and lows. The exciting part is this group will grow a ton throughout the fall and our fans will see improvement in our team every match.
This team will be better at the end of the year than we are in the beginning.
Q: What are your feeling on the schedule?
A: Our preseason schedule is ideal to prepare us for a competitive MAC season. We play two Big Ten opponents, along with many teams who will be competing for their conference championships this season.
The schedule will allow us to gain experience against tough opponents and learn how to play at a high level every match.
I believe our preseason schedule will help prepare us to play our best volleyball at the end of the season.
