Anne Botica Serves Up A Winner – Ohio State Buckeyes
9/19/2000 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 19, 2000
COLUMBUS, Ohio –
By Kate Wedding
Ohio State Athletics Communications
Anne Botica is looking forward to a bright future for the Ohio State women’s volleyball team.
The junior outside hitter is doing all she can to help the Buckeyes achieve their goal of winning a Big Ten championship this season.
At the Buckeye Invitational Sept. 9-10, Botica became a co-record holder at Ohio State. She is the fourth OSU player in history to serve seven aces in a match.
“I’ve always been a pretty consistent server,” Botica said. “When I go back to serve I always try to get at least one point. Serving is my strong point right now.”
Botica was named to the Buckeye Invitational All-Tournament Team following her outstanding serving performance. Last weekend, she was named to the All-Tournament Team at the Ameritech Invitational in Kalamazoo, Mich.
In her hometown of Windsor, Ontario, Canada, Botica may not have had the opportunity to set records for aces served. She may not have been named to any all-tournament teams. Believe it or not, she might not have gotten a chance to play volleyball at the collegiate level.
“People can’t get full scholarships to universities in Canada,” Botica said. “It’s a pretty big deal when someone from another country offers you a scholarship to come play for them.”
She is one in a long line of Canadian players that came all the way to Ohio to play volleyball. OSU has produced three All-Americans from Ontario. Audrey DiPronio, color analyst for the Ohio News Network (the network that covers Buckeye volleyball games), was an All-America setter for Ohio State in 1990. DiPronio played for OSU from 1988-90.
Botica’s experience in the United States, as well as at Ohio State has been a positive one. She said it has all been as she expected.
“The team is great and we all get along really well,” Botica said. “I’m really good friends with the girls in my class, especially my roommates Nikki (Cisco) and Erin (Baker).” Botica said her teammates and their attitudes motivate and keep her going.
“There are so many leaders on this team,” Botica said. “Everyday a different person takes on a leadership role. When I go out there everyday I want to do well because I know every one else does too. We just want to keep getting better.”
