Balanced attack among keys to Mustangs' 10-0 start
Morningside hosts Briar Cliff in key GPAC match tonight
By Jerry Giese Journal sports writer | Posted: Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Check out the hitters from the Morningside College volleyball team.
It's one of the reasons first-year head coach Rick Pruett has the squad off to their best start in school history at 10-0. Cassie Cheever, the Great Plains Athletic Conference player of the week, isn't the only option.
Amber Jarzynka, a 5-11 junior middle blocker, has a team-leading 120 kills heading into tonight's home match at Allee Gymnasium against crosstown rival Briar Cliff (7-4) in a battle of teams that are each 2-0 in the GPAC.
Outside hitter Cara DeStigter, a 5-11 junior, has 115 kills while Cheever, a 6-foot senior middle blocker, is four behind DeStigter. Junior setter Kali Angerman also passes to 5-11 senior Andra Pedersen (84 kills) on the right side while 5-10 junior Catie Bobier (72) is effective from the outside.
"Most teams have two or three quality hitters, but we have five and it has made a difference," said Pruett. "Teams can't key on one hitter because we're blessed with quality, outstanding hitters. We wear teams down because we come from so many different angles.
"The girls are smart. They know kills aren't registered in miles per hour getting to the floor, it's dependent on mixing shots up. It's not always power.
"The ability to mix something off-speed or tipping helps make you a strong hitter. You can free up a teammate if you run a fake. The girls are vocal, they're energetic and they make good decisions. They're smart at the net."
Jarzynka ranked 13th nationally last year with an average of 4.38 kills and was an NAIA All-American honorable mention at Bellevue University. The 22 kills Cheever recorded in last week's five-game win over Northwestern was the Mustangs' top individual effort of the season. DeStigter is the team leader with eight double-figure kill performances and five kill/dig double-doubles.
Angerman, whose Barton County Community College squad went 77-19 the last two seasons, averages 13.77 assists.
"Your hitters aren't good unless your setter gets the ball," said Pruett. "Kali gets everyone involved and everyone attentive. She's a good court leader and a great decision-maker."
Briar Cliff has won seven straight matches following a 0-4 start at the Hawaiian Style Classic. Micaela Borer, a 5-10 senior middle hitter, leads Coach Mary Schroeder-Miller's squad with 131 kills while 6-foot freshman Nicole Hoogeveen has 103 from the left side.
Another left-sider, 5-9 sophomore Alex Anstine, has 101 kills while 6-foot sophomore middle hitter Geri Heimann has 96 kills and a team-leading 38 blocks, 10 more than Borer.
Senior libero Kate Boettcher has 221 digs while Anstine has 199.
"Briar Cliff is just as confident in winning as we are," said Pruett. "Throw out the records because this rivalry will bring out the best in both teams. It's going to be a war.
"Coach Schroeder-Miller has always taught and stressed defense. All five of our hitters will have to start out clicking. Our hitters will have to be patient because we know (Briar Cliff) will dig balls that other teams haven't gotten to. They'll get after them."
Morningside's Cheever
wins GPAC volleyball award
Morningside College's Cassie Cheever, a 6-foot senior middle blocker from South Sioux City, has been named the Great Plains Athletic Conference's volleyball player of the week following her performance in a five-game victory over Northwestern College last Wednesday.
Cheever, a former Bishop Heelan High School standout, pounded 22 kills and had only three attack errors in 43 attempts for a .442 hitting percentage. She also had three ace serves, three solo blocks and four digs while helping the Mustangs improve to 10-0, their best start in school history.
"Cassie had sort of a slow start to the season, with a sore arm and back," said Morningside Coach Rick Pruett. "She was probably playing 75 percent the first six to eight matches.
"She had an outstanding game against Northwestern and that's why she was named the player of the week. She was going against a former high school teammate (Hillary Hanno) who was playing the middle and from there, it's a matter of pride. She wanted to prove as a senior she was ready for the challenge."
Cheever is averaging 3.36 kills and 1.00 blocks heading into tonight's home match against Briar Cliff. She has moved into fifth place in the Morningside record book with 1,335 career kills.
-- Jerry Giese
It's one of the reasons first-year head coach Rick Pruett has the squad off to their best start in school history at 10-0. Cassie Cheever, the Great Plains Athletic Conference player of the week, isn't the only option.
Amber Jarzynka, a 5-11 junior middle blocker, has a team-leading 120 kills heading into tonight's home match at Allee Gymnasium against crosstown rival Briar Cliff (7-4) in a battle of teams that are each 2-0 in the GPAC.
Outside hitter Cara DeStigter, a 5-11 junior, has 115 kills while Cheever, a 6-foot senior middle blocker, is four behind DeStigter. Junior setter Kali Angerman also passes to 5-11 senior Andra Pedersen (84 kills) on the right side while 5-10 junior Catie Bobier (72) is effective from the outside.
"Most teams have two or three quality hitters, but we have five and it has made a difference," said Pruett. "Teams can't key on one hitter because we're blessed with quality, outstanding hitters. We wear teams down because we come from so many different angles.
"The girls are smart. They know kills aren't registered in miles per hour getting to the floor, it's dependent on mixing shots up. It's not always power.
"The ability to mix something off-speed or tipping helps make you a strong hitter. You can free up a teammate if you run a fake. The girls are vocal, they're energetic and they make good decisions. They're smart at the net."
Jarzynka ranked 13th nationally last year with an average of 4.38 kills and was an NAIA All-American honorable mention at Bellevue University. The 22 kills Cheever recorded in last week's five-game win over Northwestern was the Mustangs' top individual effort of the season. DeStigter is the team leader with eight double-figure kill performances and five kill/dig double-doubles.
Angerman, whose Barton County Community College squad went 77-19 the last two seasons, averages 13.77 assists.
"Your hitters aren't good unless your setter gets the ball," said Pruett. "Kali gets everyone involved and everyone attentive. She's a good court leader and a great decision-maker."
Briar Cliff has won seven straight matches following a 0-4 start at the Hawaiian Style Classic. Micaela Borer, a 5-10 senior middle hitter, leads Coach Mary Schroeder-Miller's squad with 131 kills while 6-foot freshman Nicole Hoogeveen has 103 from the left side.
Another left-sider, 5-9 sophomore Alex Anstine, has 101 kills while 6-foot sophomore middle hitter Geri Heimann has 96 kills and a team-leading 38 blocks, 10 more than Borer.
Senior libero Kate Boettcher has 221 digs while Anstine has 199.
"Briar Cliff is just as confident in winning as we are," said Pruett. "Throw out the records because this rivalry will bring out the best in both teams. It's going to be a war.
"Coach Schroeder-Miller has always taught and stressed defense. All five of our hitters will have to start out clicking. Our hitters will have to be patient because we know (Briar Cliff) will dig balls that other teams haven't gotten to. They'll get after them."
Morningside's Cheever
wins GPAC volleyball award
Morningside College's Cassie Cheever, a 6-foot senior middle blocker from South Sioux City, has been named the Great Plains Athletic Conference's volleyball player of the week following her performance in a five-game victory over Northwestern College last Wednesday.
Cheever, a former Bishop Heelan High School standout, pounded 22 kills and had only three attack errors in 43 attempts for a .442 hitting percentage. She also had three ace serves, three solo blocks and four digs while helping the Mustangs improve to 10-0, their best start in school history.
"Cassie had sort of a slow start to the season, with a sore arm and back," said Morningside Coach Rick Pruett. "She was probably playing 75 percent the first six to eight matches.
"She had an outstanding game against Northwestern and that's why she was named the player of the week. She was going against a former high school teammate (Hillary Hanno) who was playing the middle and from there, it's a matter of pride. She wanted to prove as a senior she was ready for the challenge."
Cheever is averaging 3.36 kills and 1.00 blocks heading into tonight's home match against Briar Cliff. She has moved into fifth place in the Morningside record book with 1,335 career kills.
-- Jerry Giese
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