2005 Season Preview - University of Kentucky Athletics

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K e n t u c k y V o l l e y b a l l 2005 Outlook Junior Jenni Casper remains one of the top defensive players in the Southeastern Conference. The 2003 SEC Defensive Player of the Year totaled 478 digs as a sophomore. Senior Amy Kaplan led the team in hitting efficiency last season, hitting .305 for the year. Her 97 blocks were second-most on the team in 2004, making her both an offensive and defensive threat. Entering his first season at Kentucky, Coach Craig Skinner feels he has taken the reins of a program that has the potential for unprecedented success. And for Skinner, the beginning of a new era in UK Volleyball has begun. "The timeline for our program is now," Skinner said. "We have high expectations and with the current team we feel that we can have success." Skinner feels that a new mental approach combined with the talent of the team's current players and a tenacious recruiting effort will result in a realization of the team's goals. Add in first-class facilities, unwavering administrative support and a dedicated fan base to the mix and the Wildcats have all the elements in place to take the volleyball program to a championship level. "Any sport that is successful at UK has the opportunity to create a great following," Skinner said. "I think volleyball is a sleeping giant." 32 Kentucky Volleyball Fall 2005 The Wildcats return a core group of veteran leadership to complement its youthful enthusiasm. The fourth-year trio of middle blocker Amy Kaplan, setter Leigh Marcum and outside hitter Danielle Wallace provides a powerful punch for the Cats. Their experience in the rigors of Southeastern Conference play, combined with their ability to mentor up-and-coming young players looks to factor into the success equation for the squad this season. Outside Hitter Kentucky will have big shoes to fill on the outside in 2005 as the Wildcats will be forced to compensate for the loss of four-year starter Sarah Spinner, who finished her career as one of the top hitters in UK history. The Satellite Beach, Fla., native closed her playing days ranked third alltime for kills (1,565), attack attempts (4,172) and digs (1,127). Wallace returns as the team's leader on the outside after a stellar junior campaign. A heady player, Wallace was second on the squad in hitting percentage with a .256 clip and second in kills with 395. Wallace, who was named the Most Valuable Player of the Kentucky Conference Challenge last season, will be counted on to anchor a young outside game. Junior Melissa Popp returns from a shortened 2004 season, where she saw limited action due to recurring shoulder problems. Popp, a confident competitor, showed promise in the team's spring matches this year. She played in each of the squad's 28 matches her freshman campaign and was an All-SEC Freshman selection in 2003. Julie Gagnon saw limited time on the outside last season after playing primarily in a defensive role, but looks to make an impact in 2005. Six-foot freshman Erin Turner joins the team from Winnetka, Calif., looking for a starting spot early in her career.
K e n t u c k y V o l l e y b a l l "Danielle Wallace has great offensive output. Melissa Popp is healthy again and will be able to have a big impact on our success. Julie Gagnon and our freshmen will have the chance to contribute at the other outside hitting position. All three have different strengths that will give them the opportunity to play and start." Newcomer Ashlee Fisher joins the Cats from West Bend, Wisc., and could see immediate playing time in the UK lineup. Middle Blocker Kaplan headlines the Kentucky middle in 2005 with an unmatched determination and work ethic. Her experience should pay dividends in refining a talented, yet untested group of young players at her position. She hit a squadbest .305 hitting percentage in 2004 and was the team's second-leading blocker with 97. Sophomore Kristen Cunningham gained a wealth of experience last season, starting 24 of the 29 matches she played in last year. She led the team in blocking with 0.94 bpg. Redshirt freshman Queen Nzenwa will be counted on to log major time in the middle this season. The Baltimore native had a strong showing in the team's spring matches after being sidelined with a leg injury just before the start of last season. "In the middle blocking position, we have great experience with Amy (Kaplan). She has led the SEC in hitting percentage. We have great physicality in Queen, who is unproven, but athletically is as good as anybody. Kristen may be the hardest working and the most fundamentally sound middle. So we have a good core of people to help us be successful." Setter The Wildcats can rely on a constant force at the setter position with the return of the battle-tested Marcum. Marcum is ranked sixth all-time at UK for career assists with 2,615. The Noblesville, Ind., native was tops on the squad last season with 12.36 apg and posted four double-doubles (assists and digs) on the year. Marcum played in each of the team's 126 games as a sophomore and saw the majority of the action last season in a twosetter rotation. Canadian Tess Edwards is a 6- foot freshman who is a two-time member of the Ontario Provincial team. Edwards, who hails from Ottowa, Ontario, is armed with credentials that should more than prepare her for a collegiate role. She should immediately compete with Marcum for the starting position. "Leigh has great experience and a very good natural ability. She has adjusted to our new system very well and there has been a smooth transition in the way we play the game offensively. Tess is a dynamic player and teammate and has considerable ability in all skills at the setter position and will compete to start." Senior Danielle Wallace had her most impressive season so far in 2004. Her 3.62 kills per game are the most of any returning player. Libero/Defensive Specialist Junior Jenni Casper has established herself as one of the leading liberos in the competitive SEC. Casper will be central to the UK defensive game in 2005. The Louisville native led the team defensively last year with 478 digs (4.31 dpg). She showed her endurance, playing in 111 of the team's 112 games - the most of any Wildcat. Rookie Alisa Pearce, a two-time All-State first-team selection from Louisville, is a converted outside hitter who will see quality time as a defensive specialist at UK. Pierce, 5-foot-7, has considerable height for a back-row player. Sophomore Kathleen Bowler brings extensive athleticism to the position and has proven that she can compete for playing time with anyone. "I think we can be exceptional at the libero/defensive specialist position. Jenni (Casper) has a wealth of experience. She's led the SEC defensively the last couple of years. Kathleen (Bowler) is a superior athlete who continues to improve every week. Alisa (Pierce) has played at the highest level in club and has the ability and will compete to start at the position right away." The Staff Not only will the Wildcats be looking to play at a championship level in 2005, the UK bench will have a championship feel to complement the successes on the court. Robert Pulliza, an assistant coach at perennial-power Texas and Jenae Dowling, a former four-year letterwinner and defensive specialist at Nebraska complete the first coaching staff for Skinner. "Robert and Jenae are great people whom I trust very much," Skinner said. "Robert is one of the most experienced recruiters in the country with a great mind for the game. We will not lose a beat in recruiting with him on our staff. His enthusiasm for volleyball and life in general is a great asset to our program. Jenae is a young, energetic coach who has played at the highest level and is really excited to be starting her coaching career at UK." Outlook The Wildcats begin the 2005 season with a renewed energy and all the pieces in place for championship success. With all the components in position, Kentucky looks to not only be a national contender but an exciting team to follow. "What's important to me is that when the fans come once, they'll want to come again," Skinner said. "I think we're going to put an exciting team on the floor. They're going to play with a lot of joy and passion. I think when kids come to watch our team play they're going to walk away wanting to be part of it." "We expect to compete in every match and have a chance to win with the way we play. My players will have a winning mentality. Our results will stem from our work ethic and our commitment to our philosophy." Fall 2005 Kentucky Volleyball 33
Page 1: 2005 Season Preview
Page 5 and 6: Coaches and Staff
Page 7 and 8: K e n t u c k y V o l l e y b a l l
Page 15 and 16: Meet the Wildcats
Page 20: K e n t u c k y V o l l e y b a l l
Page 36: K e n t u c k y V o l l e y b a l l

2005 Season Preview - University of Kentucky Athletics

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