11th-Ranked Women’s Volleyball Hosts Purdue and Illinois – Ohio State Buckeyes
10/3/2000 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 3, 2000
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State (14-0, 4-0 Big Ten) hosts Purdue (9-7, 1-3) Friday and Illinois (9-6, 0-4) Saturday. Both matches will start at 7 p.m. The Illinois match will be telecast by the Ohio News Network. The replay is at 1 p.m. Sunday. Arica Robbins will call the play-by-play with former OSU All-America setter Audrey (DiPronio) Flaugh handling the color. Last week, Ohio State upset No. 10 Wisconsin 3-2 (14-16, 10-15, 15-11, 17-15, 15-12) and defeated Northwestern 3-0 (15-2, 15-2, 15-8) on the road.
OSU RANKS 11TH AND 8TH
Ohio State is ranked 11th in the USA TODAY/AVCA Top 25 Poll this week after being 19th last week. The Buckeyes moved to 8th in the Volleyball Magazine Poll this week after holding the 15th spot last week.
LOOKING AT THE BUCKEYES
Offensively Ohio State is showing great balance in the offense with five players averaging 3.06 or more kills per game. Dana Stearns (Sr., Bexley, Ohio/Bexley) has a team-high 169 kills (3.60 per game) with Shelly Draeger (So., Milwaukee, Wis./Wisconsin Lutheran) second with 156 kills (3.25) and Anne Botica (Jr., Windsor, Ont./St. Joseph) third with 142 (3.16). Sue Calligaris (So., Palermo, Italy/Liceo Linguistico) has 152 kills (3.10) and Suzie Stiling (So., Glenview, Ill./Glenbrook South) has 150 (3.06). Stearns is the squad’s top percentage hitter at .410 with Calligaris second at .384. Katie Virtue (So., St. Charles, Ill./St. Francis) quarterbacks the team and is averaging 13.84 assists per game (678). Botica is the team leader in ace serves with 26 (.58) with Virtue second with 20 (.41). Defensively Botica leads the team with 134 digs (2.98), one of five players who average two or more digs per game. Stearns is second with 128 (2.72) and Virtue third with 110 (2.24). Calligaris has 109 digs (2.22) and Draeger has 98 (2.04). At the net, Stearns leads the team with 52 (3 solo, 49 assists) blocks (1.11) and Stiling is second with 48 (.98).
As a team Ohio State is hitting .272 and averages 17.59 kills per game. The Buckeyes are averaging 2.59 blocks, 15.29 digs and 1.84 aces per game. OSU opponents are hitting .141 and average 13.00 kills per game. Opponents average 2.16 blocks, 12.51 digs and 1.10 aces per game.
14-0
OSU’s 14-0 start this season is the best start for the Buckeyes in the history of the program. In 1996 OSU started the season at 11-0.
4-0 BIG TEN START
A 4-0 Big Ten start has not happened for OSU since 1993 when the Buckeyes won its first six Big Ten contests. Ohio State has won its first four or more league contests four times. These include 20 in 1991, five in 1990 and four in 1989.
3-0 AGAINST RANKED TEAMS
With wins over No. 17 Michigan State, No. 21 Michigan and No. 10 Wisconsin, 19th-ranked Ohio State stands 3-0 against ranked teams this season.
BOTICA, A CAREER NIGHT
In OSU’s 3-2 win over 10th-ranked Wisconsin, Anne Botica produced a career night. She had career-highs of 27 kills and 28 digs against the Badgers. Her previous high for kills was 20 against Connecticut and for digs, 17 against Michigan. Botica accounted for OSU’s last three points (all kills) in game three (15-11) stopping a Wisconsin record 33-game winning streak. The 28-digs tied Botica for the eighth spot on the OSU match record list with three others.
VIRTUE DIRECTS UPSET WIN
Against Wisconsin, Katie Virtue had a career-high 83 assists besting her previous record of 65 against Temple. Virtue also had a service ace and two assists blocks in the win. Her 83 assists tied her for fourth in OSU match records with Laura Davis (vs. Penn State, 11-10-93).
STILING EQUALS CAREER HIGH
Sixteen kill against Wisconsin equaled Suzie Stiling’s career-high set last season at Purdue. She added six digs, five assist blocks and an ace serve in the match. She followed that performance with a match-high 12 kills against Northwestern where she had seven assist blocks and two digs.
STEARNS TIES CAREER HIGH
A 19-dig performance by Dana Stearns against Wisconsin equaled her career high set in 1997 against Maryland. She also had 17 kills, two assist blocks and an ace serve against the Badgers. Stearns had seven kills, five blocks (1-4) and four digs the next night against Northwestern.
CISCO STUCK ON 10
For the third time this season, Nikki Cisco equaled her season-high of 10 digs in the match against Wisconsin. She produced 10 digs last week against Michigan and earlier this season had 10 against Liberty.
DRAEGER SETS DIGS CAREER HIGH
A 16-dig performance by Shelly Draeger set a career-high in the Wisconsin match. Her previous high was 12 against Connecticut this season. Draeger also had a career-high two solo blocks against the Badgers. She also produced 12 kills and two ace serves in the match. Saturday night against Northwestern, she had five kills, four digs, three assist blocks and an ace serve.
CALLIGARIS CONTINUES TO PRODUCE
A 20-kill, 16-dig performance by Sue Calligaris against Wisconsin helped keep the Buckeyes undefeated this season. It was her third-consecutive double-figure kill match and her second 20-plus kill match in the last three. It also was her fifth double-figure dig match of the season. Calligaris also had two assist blocks and an ace serve against the Badgers. She also contributed seven kills, eight digs and three assist blocks the next night against Northwestern.
TREADWAY CONTRIBUTES IN BIG WIN
She only had six kills in the match but Erin Treadway’s (Fr., Dayton, Ohio/Chaminade-Julienne) contributions to the win over Wisconsin were big. Four of her kills came in the crucial fourth game (17-15). She produced two sideout kills on Wisconsin leads (10-9 and 12-11). Another kill gave OSU a 14-12 lead for its first game point. Her fourth kill of the game gave OSU a 16-15 lead. A Buckeye block with Suzie Stiling and Treadway finished the game in favor of OSU. In game five, she replaced the injured Dana Stearns late in the match and produced kills to take 11-9 and 12-10 leads in helping to secure the win.
DIV. I NATIONAL STATISTICS
In the NCAA national statistics release Sept. 25, Dana Stearns was ranked 16th in hitting percentage at .411 with Sue Calligaris 19th at .402. Katie Virtue was ranked 11th in assists at 13.8- and Anne Botica was 14th in service aces at .68. In team statistics, the Buckeyes were 13th in hitting percentage at .279 and sixth in kills at 17.66. OSU was ranked 10th in assists at 15.66.
TELEVISION COVERAGE
Ten Ohio State matches are scheduled to be telecast this season. The Buckeyes are scheduled for six matches on the Ohio News Network. The matches are part of a 30-plus event package between Ohio State and ONN. The following matches comprise the volleyball package (broadcast times subject to change): at Marshall, Sept. 5 (replay Sept. 6, 11:30 p.m.), Toledo Sept. 9 (live), OSU’s match Sept. 10 (live), Cincinnati Sept. 12 (Sept. 12, 11:30 p.m.), Michigan Sept. 24 (live), Illinois Oct. 7 (Oct. 8, 1 p.m.), and Wisconsin Nov. 5 (Nov. 5, 11 p.m.). Ohio State has one of three Big Ten matches to be aired by ESPN2. OSU will host Indiana Oct. 21 with broadcast Oct. 22 at 3:30 p.m. The Buckeyes will appear in two of the eight Big Ten matches to be carried by Fox Sports Chicago. OSU’s match at Iowa Oct. 14 will be broadcast at 4 p.m. Oct. 15 and the Buckeye contest at Penn State Nov. 18 will be broadcast at 4 p.m. Nov. 19.
LOOKING AT PURDUE
The Boilermakers are 9-7 overall and 1-3 in the Big Ten. Last week Purdue lost to Michigan State 0-3 (5-15, 6-15, 8-15) and defeated No. 25 Michigan 3-1 (15-7, 16-14, 10-15, 15-10). Prior to the Michigan win, the Boilermakers had lost six matches in a row.
Ohio State leads the series 29-25. The Buckeyes are 8-13 in West Lafayette, 14-6 in Columbus and 7-6 at neutral sites. OSU has won 10 of the last 11 matches in the series and 17 of 19 in the ’90s. Last season the Buckeyes lost at Illinois 1-3 (8-15, 8-15, 15-9, 10-15) and won in Columbus 3-1 (16-14, 15-13, 14-16, 15-13).
LOOKING AT ILLINOIS
The Fighting Illini are 9-6 overall and 0-4 in the Big Ten. Illinois lost to Michigan (0-3) 8-15, 10-15, 10-15, and Michigan State (2-3) 2-15, 15-4, 13-15, 15-6, 12-15) last week. The Illini has lost its last four matches.
Ohio State leads the series 23-22. The Buckeyes are 10-11 in Champaign, 9-9 in Columbus and 5-3 at neutral sites. OSU broke a three-match losing streak to the Illini last year with a 3-0 (15-8, 15-3, 15-9) victory in Champaign, while Illinois won in Columbus 3-2 (4-15, 15-5, 15-3, 9-15, 15-10).
HEAD COACH JIM STONE
Jim Stone is in his 19th year at Ohio State. He has a 412-181 (.695) record with the Buckeyes and is 232-99 (.701) in Big Ten play. His squads have won Big Ten championships in 1989, 1991 and 1994 and in the last 11 years has only finished below third twice. In the championship years, he was named the Big Ten Coach of the Year and in 1991 was the Volleyball Monthly Coach of the Year. For the last 11 years, OSU has participated in the NCAA Championships, advancing to the national semifinals in 1991 and 1994. Stone’s coaching career record includes three years at Wyoming (1979-1981). His 22-year career record is 462-223 (.674).
THE DEAN OF THE BIG TEN COACHES
Head coach Jim Stone begins his 19th-year in the Big Ten at Ohio State. Closest to Stone is Mike Hebert of Minnesota who is entering his 18th season. He spent 14 years at Illinois and the last four at Minnesota.
NEXT UP FOR THE BUCKEYES
Ohio State travels to No. 5 Minnesota Friday and Iowa Saturday.
A LOOK AT THE BUCKEYES
#10 ANGELEE ABBRING
Saw action against Liberty recording one kill.
#4 ERIN BAKER
Played against Liberty.
#8 ANNE BOTICA
Named to the Ameritech and Buckeye Invitational All-Tournament Teams. Career-highs of 27 kills and 28 digs in upset win at Wisconsin. Career-high seven aces (ties OSU match record) against Illinois State.
#12 SUE CALLIGARIS
Named to the All-Tournament Team of the Temple Volleyball Classic. Career-high 21 kills against Michigan State. Had a season-high 14 digs against the Spartans. Her second double-double of her career. Had 12 kills and 10 digs at Marshall. 20 kills and 16 digs against Wisconsin. Hit a career-high .550 (13-2-20) in that match. Equaled her career-high of six assist blocks in the Temple and Toledo matches. Traveled to London and Germany during the summer.
#11 NIKKI CISCO
Back row defensive specialist. Season-high 10 digs against Liberty, Michigan and Wisconsin. Had eight digs against Temple and Connecticut. Her team finished second out of 192 in a mud volleyball tournament for epilepsy during the summer.
#15 SHELLY DRAEGER
Career-high 20 kills against Toledo. Hit a season-high .400 (11-3-20) at Marshall. Career-high 16-digs at Wisconsin. Four double-double (kills-digs) matches this season (Seton Hall 12-10, Cincinnati 13-10, Connecticut 11-12, at Wisconsin 12-16). Equaled her career-high of four blocks against Michigan.
#7 DANA STEARNS
Named to the Ameritech Invitational All-Tournament Team. Named the Most Valuable Player of the Buckeye Invitational. Season-high 20 kills against Connecticut. Tied her career-high of 19 digs at Wisconsin. Double-figure kills in 10 of the last 12 matches. Has had double-figure digs in seven of the last nine matches. Equaled her career-high of nine assist blocks against Temple. Tenth in OSU career kills with 1,105. Needs 181 to pass No. 9 Tricia Stragliotto (1993-95) with 1,211. Fourth in OSU career assist blocks with 323. Passed No. 3 Jenny Jackson (1992-95) with 322 in the Northwestern match. Fifth in OSU career total blocks with 349. Needs 37 to pass No. 4 Leisa Wissler (1988-91) and Sherri Rinker (1984-87) with 385.
#9 SUZIE STILING
Hit season-high .423 (13-2-26) against Cincinnati. Career-high three ace serves against Colgate and at Marshall. Season-high seven digs against Seton Hall. Tied career-high of 16 kills against Wisconsin. Double-figure kills in 10 of the last 12 matches. Season-high seven blocks (1-6) against Michigan. Had her first experience with coaching during the summer.
#13 ERIN TREADWAY
Hit a career-high .700 (8-1-10) against Illinois State coming off the bench in the last two games. Did not play against Colgate because of illness. Started against Temple and had a season-high 11 kills in the match. Had six kills off the bench in the win against Wisconsin, keying wins in game four and five. Was an assistant coach for the Fair Valley Country Club’s swim team during the summer. The team placed second overall in the Greater Dayton Swimming Association Championships. Her aunt Janis Browning (Janis Reichert) played volleyball for Ohio State, lettering in 1975-76.
#3 KATIE VIRTUE
Most Valuable Player of the Temple Volleyball Classic and the Ameritech Invitational. Named to the Buckeye Invitational All-Tournament Team. Career-high 83 assists in win at Wisconsin. Equaled her career-high of six kills against Toledo as she hit a season-high .857 (6-0-7). Season-high 16 digs against Michigan. Cut her right knee (four stitches) hitting scoring table at Marshall. Preseason All-Big Ten selection. Season-high 65 assists against Temple where all five starters had double-figure kills. Had a season-high four assist blocks three times this year. Career-high two solo blocks against Michigan. Ranks sixth in career assists with 2,048. Needs 574 to pass No. 5 Marlene O’Brien (1983-86) with 2,621. Played during the summer for the USA under-20 team in an international tournament in Italy where they beat Yugoslavia for the gold.
#6 HEATHER WHALEN
Saw her first action as backrow specialist at Marshall. Came in at setter for the injured Katie Virtue in the third game collecting 17 assists. Went white-water rafting in California during the summer.
TEAM NOTES
Ohio State’s season-high .455 (48-8-88) hitting percentage against Liberty ranks as the 11th best mark in the history of OSU volleyball. The Buckeyes have reached double-figure aces in two matches this season (Colgate 11, Illinois State 12). Double-figure blocks have been reached in six matches (Temple 15, Toledo 14.5, Michigan 14, Western Michigan 11, Michigan State 10, Northwestern 12). OSU had a season-high 108 digs against Wisconsin. Defensively, Ohio State has had five opponents hit under .100 (Colgate .038, Seton Hall .080, Liberty .025, Western Michigan .032, Northwestern -.021). Marshall holds the best opponent hitting percentage at .273.
BIG TEN STANDINGS
(as of Oct. 2) Conf. Pct. All Pct. 1 Minnesota 4-0 1.000 15-0 1.000 Ohio State 4-0 1.000 14-0 1.000 3 Wisconsin 3-1 .750 13-2 .867 Michigan State 3-1 .750 10-3 .769 Iowa 3-1 .750 7-5 .583 6 Penn State 1-3 .250 12-4 .750 Indiana 1-3 .250 10-4 .714 Michigan 1-3 .250 10-4 .714 Purdue 1-3 .250 9-7 .563 Northwestern 1-3 .250 4-10 .286 11 Illinois 0-4 .000 9-6 .600
BIG TEN STATISTICS
Team (Conference matches)
Hitting Pct. 1 WIS .276 4 OSU .237 5 ILL .236 9 PUR .170
Kills 1 MINN 20.00 5 OSU 17.19 8 PUR 15.31 10 ILL 14.40
Assists 1 MINN 19.31 5 OSU 15.06 9 PUR 13.69 10 ILL 12.40
Service Aces 1 IOWA 1.94 4 ILL 1.53 5 OSU 1.25 11 PUR 0.92
Digs 1 MINN 19.62 3 OSU 17.19 6 PUR 15.00 10 ILL 12.27
Blocks 1 MINN 3.58 5 OSU 2.81 8 PUR 2.38 10 ILL 2.27
Individual (Conference matches)
Hitting Percentage 1 Stephanie Hagen, MINN .452 5 Anne Koester, ILL .360 6 Dana Stearns, OSU .363 8 Sue Calligaris, OSU .357
Kills 1 Nicole Branagh, MINN 6.08 3 Stephanie Hagen, MINN 5.15 5 Joanna Lowry, PUR 4.23 9 Sue Calligaris, OSU 4.00 10 Melissa Vandrey, ILL 3.91
Assists 1 Lindsey Berg, MINN 16.08 3 Katie Virtue, OSU 14.00 7 Melissa Fisher, PUR 12.00
Service Aces 1 Evelena Ornelas, IOWA .67 2 Melissa Vandrey, ILL .64 5 Maegan Petersen, PUR .60
Digs 1 Anne Botica, OSU 3.94 5 Julie Doud, PUR 3.75 10 Dana Stearns, OSU 3.12
Blocks 1 Stephanie Hagen, MINN 1.92 2 Suzie Stiling, OSU 1.56
USA TODAY/AVCA Coaches Top 25
October 2, 2000/Poll #5
Rk School Total 2000 Last (First-Place Votes) Pts Rec. Week 1 Nebraska (49) 1488 13-0 1 2 Hawai’i (9) 1444 12-0 2 3 Colorado State 1365 16-1 3 4 USC (2) 1325 11-0 4 5 Minnesota 1269 15-0 6 6 Pepperdine 1179 11-2 7 7 Arizona 1145 12-1 8 8 UCLA 985 10-4 5 9 Florida 974 11-3 12 10 Wisconsin 844 13-2 10 11 Ohio State 817 14-0 19 12 Penn State 787 12-4 11 13 BYU 766 11-4 14 14 Pacific 753 10-3 17 15 UC Santa Barbara 743 9-4 9 16 Utah 638 11-2 16 17 Santa Clara 575 13-1 18 18 Long Beach State 536 9-4 13 19 Michigan State 397 10-3 20 20 Notre Dame 303 11-4 21 21 Stanford 258 7-6 15 22 Loyola Marymount 216 12-3 23 23 Texas A&M 198 8-4 22 24 Texas Tech 165 15-1 NR 25 Utah State 138 12-3 NR Others receiving 30 or more points: Missouri (70), North Carolina (30)
Volleyball Magazine Top 20 Poll
Oct. 2, 2000/Poll #6
2000 Last Rk School Record Week 1 Southern California 11-0 1 2 Hawai’i 12-0 2 3 Nebraska 13-0 3 4 Colorado State 16-1 4 5 Minnesota 15-0 5 6 Arizona 12-1 12 7 Pepperdine 11-2 8 8 Ohio State 14-0 15 9 Wisconsin 13-2 6 10 Penn State 12-4 7 11 Brigham Young 11-4 9 12 Pacific 10-3 16 13 Florida 11-3 17 14 UCLA 10-4 10 15 Long Beach State 9-4 11 16 UC Santa Barbara 9-4 14 17 Utah 11-2 18 18 Santa Clara 13-1 19 19 Stanford 7-6 13 20 Utah State 12-3 NR Others: Michigan State, Loyola Marymount, North Carolina, Baylor, Kansas State, Michigan, Washington State, Arizona State, Cal Poly, Texas Tech.
