by Emily Buss
Issue date: 9/7/06
Section: Womens Sports
Heading into the 2006 season, the Minnesota State volleyball team hopes to improve upon an almost even 12-15 record from last year. Head Coach Dennis Amudson has a year under his belt, but is ready to come out strong to beat some of what he calls "the power teams."
MSU was fortunate enough to only lose one player, Tiffany Graham, but have many more eager women to fill the shoes of the lone lost senior.
Returning to the Mavs this year will be the 2005 NCC Freshman of the Year Ashley Nachreiner. With her 295 kills last season, Amudson says she will be the frontline player that will be defended most by her opponents.
Other veteran players are also returning, with the likes of senior Mandy Reuter, junior Dana Ostertag, and the Mavs leading digger, Cassie Wolpern all back in 2006.
"Cassie Wolpern brings a certain type of energy to this team and also carries a sense of poise and leadership with her as well," Amudson said. "And Mandy Reuter is another girl that has a very good consistent record both on and off the court and these two players will be the ones to watch this season."
The team will be more experienced in their positions this year and there is little left to mold, but the key task will be honing their individual skills even more. One of the positions that has really taken shape is the setter spot. The Mavs will be returning with their two main offensive specialists' juniors Stef Sandstrom and Erin Anderson.
"I'm really excited to see how this season turns out," Sandstrom said. "We have very high expectations for one another this time around and we all need to just play our bests all the time but to enjoy the time on the court as well."
Amudson said he is very impressed with the work the setters have shown both in games and at practice and believes that they will be the key players in setting up successful plays.
The hitters and defensive specialists are another spot on the team that is crucial for the player's success in a match. Experienced outside hitters for the Mavs will be Nachreiner, Ostertag, Reuter and Wolpern. These four have contributed kills, some with numbers in the hundreds, incredible digs, and countless ace serves.
"We are very lucky to have a lot of depth on this team and we are matching the right people up to see who plays the best with who," Amudson said. "This is a great year for us and I have high standards for my kids."
