BC spikers have high hopes for new offense
By Jerry Giese, Journal sports writer | Posted: Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Briar Cliff University volleyball media day. From left Alex Anstine, Kayla Bessmer, Geri Heimann and Nicole Donovan. (Staff photo by Jerry Mennenga)
As starting setters in Briar Cliff's new offense, neither Kayla Bessmer nor Nicolle Donovan will be disappointed.
Bessmer accumulated solid statistics as the starting setter in Briar Cliff's offense in her freshman and sophomore seasons. She threatened Staci Rosche's 2000 single-season record 1,762 assists when she recorded 1,701 in 2005, then added 1,230 one year later.
Last year, as a junior, Bessmer lost her starting job to her classmate, Donovan, who handed out a team-high 1,107 assists while being named the Chargers' most improved player. Bessmer had 204 assists as a reserve and was also named the junior varsity's most valuable player.
Thirteenth-year head coach Mary Schroeder-Miller has never used a two-setter offense until this season. The veteran coach gave it positive reviews in Monday's scrimmage against Great Plains Athletic Conference rival Dordt and will test it further Friday and Saturday when the Chargers compete at the South Padre Island Challenge in Brownsville, Texas.
"This is the first time we've played together," said Donovan on media day Tuesday at the Newman Flanagan Center.
"With two setters playing all the time, you're in the system more. You can run a quicker offense with two setters and get more sophisticated play. I think with this offense, you get better all-around play."
"You have to customize your offense to fit your personnel," said Schroeder-Miller. "I feel we have the best combination of setters, so that's why we're running this kind of offense. Kayla had started for two years, then Nicolle beat her last year, so we're running this two-setter offense to best utilize our strength. The sets will be more consistent."
Donovan, a 5-8 senior, is one of four returning starters from a 22-11 squad that lost to nationally-ranked Dordt in the quarterfinals of the GPAC Tournament. She averaged 9.8 assists while directing an offense that includes Alex Anstine, a 5-9 junior left side hitter who ranked second on the team last season with 369 kills.
Nicole Hoogeveen, a 6-1 sophomore left-side hitter, had 336 kills while Geri Heimann, a 6-1 junior middle hitter, added 256.
"I feel like we're more confident running this offense and I feel it will help our hitters," said Bessmer, a 5-7 senior. "The hitters we have are experienced and if we can get a good set, they can bring it down. They can place the ball. Aggressive setters know how to place the ball at the right time to the right hitter."
Aggressive play could make a difference for a squad that has been picked to finish fifth in the GPAC. Anstine, who also collected 702 digs and 40 blocks, won second-team GPAC honors last year and was named the team's best offensive player, despite the fact that Micaela Borer had 405 kills in her final season.
Schroeder-Miller, 280-174 with the Chargers, feels her team could finish higher in the GPAC standings if Heimann and Hoogeveen have breakout seasons. Heimann ranked second on the team in blocks last year with 99 while Hoogeveen added 38.
"We have to improve in our blocking," said Schroeder-Miller. "Every team in the GPAC is offensive minded, so we will have to slow them down."
Chehala Pace, a 5-10 sophomore, is versatile as a middle and right-side hitter while 6-2 freshman Sarah Wieseler will see time as a middle hitter. Sophomore Rikole Santin, a 5-9 right side hitter, has also impressed Schroeder-Miller.
"She's very powerful and will be taking more shots," said Schroeder-Miller. "Ball control will be a key. We'll be able to use all six hitters and they all have the ability to control what we do offensively. We're not real big, but we're more athletic."
Briar Cliff will miss the services of Kate Boettcher (834 digs), the GPAC and NAIA Region III libero of the year. However, Boettcher's graduation will open the door for 5-6 junior Chelsie Englund, who played in every game last year, totaling 340 digs and 20 ace serves as a defensive specialist.
Samantha Bock, a 5-5 sophomore, and 5-7 freshman Jill Hoogeveen, will also challenge for libero or defensive specialist positions. Bock is eligible to play this season after sitting out last year following a transfer from GPAC rival Northwestern.
Bessmer accumulated solid statistics as the starting setter in Briar Cliff's offense in her freshman and sophomore seasons. She threatened Staci Rosche's 2000 single-season record 1,762 assists when she recorded 1,701 in 2005, then added 1,230 one year later.
Last year, as a junior, Bessmer lost her starting job to her classmate, Donovan, who handed out a team-high 1,107 assists while being named the Chargers' most improved player. Bessmer had 204 assists as a reserve and was also named the junior varsity's most valuable player.
Thirteenth-year head coach Mary Schroeder-Miller has never used a two-setter offense until this season. The veteran coach gave it positive reviews in Monday's scrimmage against Great Plains Athletic Conference rival Dordt and will test it further Friday and Saturday when the Chargers compete at the South Padre Island Challenge in Brownsville, Texas.
"This is the first time we've played together," said Donovan on media day Tuesday at the Newman Flanagan Center.
"With two setters playing all the time, you're in the system more. You can run a quicker offense with two setters and get more sophisticated play. I think with this offense, you get better all-around play."
"You have to customize your offense to fit your personnel," said Schroeder-Miller. "I feel we have the best combination of setters, so that's why we're running this kind of offense. Kayla had started for two years, then Nicolle beat her last year, so we're running this two-setter offense to best utilize our strength. The sets will be more consistent."
Donovan, a 5-8 senior, is one of four returning starters from a 22-11 squad that lost to nationally-ranked Dordt in the quarterfinals of the GPAC Tournament. She averaged 9.8 assists while directing an offense that includes Alex Anstine, a 5-9 junior left side hitter who ranked second on the team last season with 369 kills.
Nicole Hoogeveen, a 6-1 sophomore left-side hitter, had 336 kills while Geri Heimann, a 6-1 junior middle hitter, added 256.
"I feel like we're more confident running this offense and I feel it will help our hitters," said Bessmer, a 5-7 senior. "The hitters we have are experienced and if we can get a good set, they can bring it down. They can place the ball. Aggressive setters know how to place the ball at the right time to the right hitter."
Aggressive play could make a difference for a squad that has been picked to finish fifth in the GPAC. Anstine, who also collected 702 digs and 40 blocks, won second-team GPAC honors last year and was named the team's best offensive player, despite the fact that Micaela Borer had 405 kills in her final season.
Schroeder-Miller, 280-174 with the Chargers, feels her team could finish higher in the GPAC standings if Heimann and Hoogeveen have breakout seasons. Heimann ranked second on the team in blocks last year with 99 while Hoogeveen added 38.
"We have to improve in our blocking," said Schroeder-Miller. "Every team in the GPAC is offensive minded, so we will have to slow them down."
Chehala Pace, a 5-10 sophomore, is versatile as a middle and right-side hitter while 6-2 freshman Sarah Wieseler will see time as a middle hitter. Sophomore Rikole Santin, a 5-9 right side hitter, has also impressed Schroeder-Miller.
"She's very powerful and will be taking more shots," said Schroeder-Miller. "Ball control will be a key. We'll be able to use all six hitters and they all have the ability to control what we do offensively. We're not real big, but we're more athletic."
Briar Cliff will miss the services of Kate Boettcher (834 digs), the GPAC and NAIA Region III libero of the year. However, Boettcher's graduation will open the door for 5-6 junior Chelsie Englund, who played in every game last year, totaling 340 digs and 20 ace serves as a defensive specialist.
Samantha Bock, a 5-5 sophomore, and 5-7 freshman Jill Hoogeveen, will also challenge for libero or defensive specialist positions. Bock is eligible to play this season after sitting out last year following a transfer from GPAC rival Northwestern.
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