2005 Season Preview - University of Kentucky Athletics

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