Women’s Volleyball Signs Four Recruits – Ohio State Buckeyes
7/16/1998 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
July 16, 1998
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Head coach Jim Stone has signed four student-athletes to join his women’s volleyball squad for the 1998 season. The recruits include Anne Botica (6-1, Windsor, Ontario), Erin Baker (6-1, Elmhurst, Ill.), Carey Cavanaugh (5-8, Munroe Falls, Ohio) and Mandi Clark (5-9, New Castle, Ind.). The four represent an excellent recruiting class according to Stone.
Botica, coached by Denise Ebert at St. Joseph High School, was the most valuable player and captain of her squad. She also has played for the Ontario Provincial Team and played in the Canada Games and with the Team Canada Youth National Team. Botica, who played for the Northshore Club in Windsor, was invited to try out for the Junior National Team. Stone notes, “Anne will help our team in many facets. She has the ability to play any position on the court. She has experience as a middle, outside hitter and has set a little bit. She will be asked to contribute a lot her freshman year.”
Baker, coached by Lori Cohen at Elmhurst High School, was a two-time most valuable player for her team, helping her squad to three regional championships. A four-year honor roll student, she played club ball for Sport Performance in West Chicago. Stone notes, “Erin is another player who has experience at several positions. She is comfortable as a middle blocker. However, she might be used as an outside hitter this year. She comes from the Sports Performance club in Chicago, so she has had excellent volleyball training.”
Cavanaugh, coached by Bob MacFarland at Stow Munroe Falls High School, was a two-time most valuable player of the Western Reserve Conference. A first-team all-Ohio selection, she was named the Player of the Year by the Akron Beacon Journal and the Cleveland Plain Dealer. A member of the National Honor Society, she played for the Akron Canton Elite club in Akron. Stone notes, “Carey was a first team all-Ohio setter and comes from Stow Munroe Falls High School, which also produced Buckeye alumni Dawn McDougall and Lisa Bettio. She is an experienced setter and will contribute in that position or as a backrow specialist.”
Clark, coach by John Shondell at New Castle Chrysler High School, was the Player of the Year in Henry County as a sophomore and a senior. A three-time all-state selection, Clark was her team’s most valuable player as a junior and a senior and was selected to play in the Indiana All-State Game. She played for Munciana Club in Muncie. Stone notes, “Mandi will be a left-side hitter for Ohio State. She was a three-time all-state player in Indiana. Mandi is a good jumper, receives serve very well and is very quick. She, along with the other freshmen, will definitely bring back the speed to the court.”
Ohio State was 24-11 last season, finishing in a third place tie in Big Ten play (13-7). The Buckeyes return seven players from last season, including four starters. OSU has had 21 or more wins in each of the last nine seasons and during that same period participated in the NCAA Championshipss. This includes seven regional appearances and two National Championship Semifinals.
