19th-Ranked Women’s Volleyball Travels to No. 10 Wisconsin and Northwestern – Ohio State Buckeyes
9/26/2000 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 26, 2000
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Big Ten Conference play continues as Ohio State (12-0, 2-0) is on the road to face Wisconsin (12-1, 2-0) Friday and Northwestern (4-8, 1-1) Saturday. Last week the Buckeyes defeated No. 17 Michigan State 3-1 (11-15, 15-5, 15-7, 15-11) and No. 21 Michigan 3-1 (15-11, 15-9, 11-15, 15-7).
OSU RANKS 19TH AND 15TH
Ohio State is ranked 19th in the USA TODAY/AVCA Top 25 Poll this week after being 25th last week. The Buckeyes moved to 15th in the Volleyball Magazine Poll this week after holding the 16th spot last week.
SIX BIG TEN TEAMS IN AVCA RANKINGS
The USA TODAY/AVCA Top 25 Poll has six Big Ten squads ranked in the Top 25. They include #6 Minnesota, #10 Wisconsin, #11 Penn State, #19 Ohio State, #20 Michigan State, and #25 Michigan.
LOOKING AT THE BUCKEYES
Offensively Dana Stearns (Sr., Bexley, Ohio/Bexley) has a team-high 145 kills (3.72 per game) with Shelly Draeger (So., Milwaukee, Wis./Wisconsin Lutheran) second with 139 kills (3.47) and Sue Calligaris (So., Palermo, Italy/Liceo Linguistico) third with 125 (3.05). Stearns is the squad’s top percentage hitter at .426 with Calligaris second at .402. Katie Virtue (So., St. Charles, Ill./St. Francis) quarterbacks the team and is averaging 13.80 assists per game (566). Anne Botica (Jr., Windsor, Ont./St. Joseph) is the team leader in ace serves with 25 (.68) with Virtue second with 17 (.41). Defensively Stearns leads the team with 105 digs (2.69) with Botica second with 100 (2.70) and Virtue third with 92 (2.24). At the net, Stearns leads the team with 45 (2-43) blocks (1.15) and Suzie Stiling (So., Glenview, Ill./Glenbrook South) second with 36 (.88).
As a team Ohio State is hitting .279 and averages 17.66 kills per game. The Buckeyes are averaging 2.59 blocks, 14.93 digs and 1.95 aces per game. OSU opponents are hitting .140 and average 12.61 kills per game. Opponents average 1.98 blocks, 12.10 digs and 1.22 aces per game.
12-0
OSU’s 12-0 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.
2-0 BIG TEN START
A 2-0 Big Ten start has not happened for OSU since 1995 when they won at Illinois (3-1) and at Indiana (3-0). The Buckeyes, for the last four years, started conference play 0-2 (1996: at Wisconsin 0-3, at Minnesota 0-3, 1997 Penn State 0-3, Indiana 1-3, 1998 at Penn State 0-3, at Minnesota 1-3, at Michigan 2-3, at Michigan State 1-3).
2-0 AGAINST RANKED TEAMS
With wins over No. 17 Michigan State and No. 21 Michigan, 25th-ranked Ohio State stands 2-0 against ranked teams this season.
TEAM NOTES
Ohio State had a season-high 72 digs against Michigan and collected a season-high five solo blocks against the Wolverines. The 21 kills by Sue Calligaris, the 17 digs by Anne Botica and the two solo blocks by Katie Virtue represent season-bests by Ohio State.
CALLIGARIS NETS CAREER HIGH
With 21 kills against Michigan State, Sue Calligaris set a career high at a new position. Against the Spartans, she played on the outside and helped OSU to the win. She also had a season-high 14 digs against the Spartans. For the match she hit .421 (21-5-38) and went -.286 (2-4-7) in game one. In the last three games she hit .581 with 21 kills and one error in 31 attempts. Against Michigan Calligaris had a match-high 16 kills and hit .375 (16-4-32).
BOTICA HAS CAREER-HIGH IN DIGS
With 17 digs against Michigan, Anne Botica set a career-high against the Wolverines. Her previous best was 14 vs. Texas Tech in 1998. She also had 12 digs against Michigan State. Botica also equaled her career-high of five total blocks (one solo, four assists) against the Spartans. Previously she had three solos and two assists against Texas Tech. Botica put together back-to-back 14-kill matches last week.
STEARNS PICKING UP DIGS
With a season-high 16 digs against Michigan, Dana Stearns has had double-figure digs in the last three matches and six of the last seven. She also had 13 kills in each match over the weekend and has double-figure kills in the last three matches and nine of the last 10.
STILING BUILDS BLOCK NUMBERS
With a solo block and six assists, Suzie Stiling had a season-high seven blocks against Michigan. She had six (1-5) against Michigan State Friday. In her last four matches (14 games), Stiling has collected 23 blocks (2-21).
CISCO EQUALS SEASON-HIGH DIGS
A 10 dig performance against Michigan equaled Nikki Cisco’s season high set against Liberty this season. She also contributed seven digs against Michigan State.
DRAEGER EQUALS BLOCK CAREER-HIGH
With four assist blocks against Michigan, Shelly Draeger set a season and career high in assist blocks and equaled her career high for total blocks set last season against Illinois (1-3). Previously Draeger had recorded three assist blocks six times.
VIRTUE DIGS 16 AGAINST MICHIGAN
Katie Virtue had a season-high 16 digs in the Michigan match. She also had 11 against Michigan State. Virtue had 61 assists against the Spartans and 51 against the Wolverines. She had four blocks against Michigan, including a career-high two solo blocks.
DIV. I NATIONAL STATISTICS
In the NCAA national statistics release Sept. 17, Dana Stearns was ranked 13th in hitting percentage at .415. Katie Virtue was ranked 11th in assists at 13.76 and Anne Botica was 12th in service aces at .76. In team statistics, the Buckeyes were 13th in hitting percentage at .290 and sixth in kills at 17.79. OSU was ranked seventh in assists at 15.88.
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 WISCONSIN
The Badgers are 12-1 overall and 2-0 in the Big Ten. Wisconsin’s only loss came at Florida 0-3 (12-15, 14-16, 11-15). Last week they upset Penn State 3-0 (15-9, 15-9, 15-6) and defeated Indiana 3-0 (15-12, 15-3, 15-12). Wisconsin has won 10-consecutive matches and has had nine-consecutive shutouts, winning 28 straight games. Badger Lizzy Fitzgerald was named the Big Ten and national player of the week for her play last week.
Ohio State leads the series 25-13. OSU is 11-7 in Madison. Each team has won five matches, in Madison, in the 90’s. The Buckeyes won in Madison 3-2 (14-16, 15-9, 3-15, 15-12, 15-10) stopping a four-match Badger winning streak. Wisconsin won the return trip to Columbus 3-2 (4-15, 15-2, 13-15, 16-14, 15-10).
LOOKING AT NORTHWESTERN
The Wildcats are 4-8 overall and 1-1 in the Big Ten. Last week the Wildcats lost to Indiana 1-3 (2-15, 10-15, 15-10, 8-15) and upset Penn State 3-2 (10-15, 16-14, 4-15, 15-12, 15-12). Northwestern has won four of its last five matches (all at home) after losing its first seven.
Ohio State leads the series 34-9. The Buckeyes are 12-5 in matches played in Evanston. OSU has won the last three meetings and 21 of the last 22 matches. Last season Ohio State won 3-0 (15-6, 15-6, 15-8) in Evanston and 3-0 (15-5, 15-5, 15-7) in Columbus.
HEAD COACH JIM STONE
Jim Stone is in his 19th year at Ohio State. He has a 410-181 (.694) record with the Buckeyes and is 230-99 (.699) 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 460-223 (.673).
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 returns home to face Purdue (Oct. 6) and Illinois (Oct. 7).
BUCKEYE UPDATES
#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. Season-high 20 kills against Connecticut. Career-high 17 digs against Michigan. 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. 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 and Michigan. 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 12 digs against Connecticut. Three double-double (kills-digs) matches this season (Seton Hall 12-10, Cincinnati 13-10, Connecticut 11-12). 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. Season-high 16 digs against Michigan. Double-figure kills in nine of the last 10 matches. Has had double-figure digs in six of the last seven matches. Equaled her career-high of nine assist blocks against Temple. Tenth in OSU career kills with 1,105. Needs 107 to pass No. 9 Tricia Stragliotto (1993-95) with 1,211. Fourth in OSU career assist blocks with 317. Needs six to pass No. 3 Jenny Jackson (1992-95) with 322. Fifth in OSU career total blocks with 342. Needs 44 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. Had a season-high 14 kills against Temple. Double-figure kills in eight of the last 10 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. 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. 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 1,936. Needs 686 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 five matches (Temple 15, Toledo 14.5, Michigan 14, Western Michigan 11, Michigan State 10). OSU had a season-high 72 digs against Michigan. Defensively, Ohio State has had four opponents hit under .100 (Colgate .038, Seton Hall .080, Liberty .025, Western Michigan .032). Marshall holds the best opponent hitting percentage at .273.
BIG TEN STANDINGS
(as of Sept. 25) Conf. Pct. All Pct. 1 Minnesota 2-0 1.000 13-0 1.000 Ohio State 2-0 1.000 12-0 1.000 Wisconsin 2-0 1.000 12-1 .923 Iowa 2-0 1.000 6-3 .667 5 Indiana 1-1 .500 10-2 .833 Michigan State 1-1 .500 8-3 .737 Northwestern 1-1 .500 4-8 .333 8 Michigan 0-2 .000 8-3 .727 Penn State 0-2 .000 11-3 .786 Illinois 0-2 .000 9-4 .692 Purdue 0-2 .000 8-6 .571
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
September 26 Northern Iowa at Iowa Toledo at Michigan 27 Northwestern at Wisconsin 29 Michigan at Illinois Iowa at Indiana Michigan State at Purdue Minnesota at Penn State Ohio State at Wisconsin 30 Michigan State at Illinois Minnesota at Indiana Iowa at Penn State Michigan at Purdue Ohio State at Northwestern
BIG TEN STATISTICS
Team (Conference matches)
Hitting Pct. 1 MINN .354 2 WIS .292 3 OSU .236 8 NOR .169
Kills 1 MINN 17.83 2 WIS 17.67 3 OSU 17.12 8 NOR 13.44
Assists 1 WIS 16.17 2 MINN 6.00 3 OSU 14.75 8 NOR 12.00
Service Aces 1 PSU 1.88 3 NOR 1.67 6 WIS 1.33 7 OSU 1.25
Digs 1 WIS 20.67 2 OSU 17.25 11 NOR 11.00
Blocks 1 MINN 4.08 2 WIS 3.17 3 OSU 3.00 4 NOR 2.89
Individual (Conference matches)
Hitting Percentage 1 Lizzy Fitzgerald, WIS .556 5 Sue Calligaris, OSU .400 6 Dana Stearns, OSU .396 7 Sherisa Livingston, WIS .373 9 Claudia Rodriguez, WIS .364 10 Sarah Ballog, NOR .333
Kills 1 Nicole Branagh, MINN 5.17 3 Sherisa Livingston, WIS 4.67 4 Sue Calligaris, OSU 4.62 6 Jenny Maastricht, WIS 4.33 7 Sarah Ballog, NOR 4.25
Assists 1 Katie Virtue, OSU 14.00 3 Lizzy Fitzgerald, WIS 13.67 6 Kelli Meyer, NOR 10.89
Service Aces 1 Lindsey Berg, MINN 1.00 6 Cassie McKnight, NOR .57 8 Meggan Kohnen, WIS .50
Blocks 1 Stephanie Hagen, MINN 2.67 2 Suzie Stiling, OSU 1.62 3 Erika Lange, NOR 1.56 5 Sherisa Livingston, WIS 1.33 9 Meggan Kohnen, WIS 1.17
Digs 1 Jenny Maastricht, WIS 4.67 4 Meggan Kohnen, WIS 3.67 5 Anne Botica, OSU 4.63 7 Dana Stearns, OSU 3.38 8 Katie Virtue, OSU 3.38 9 Jamie Gardner, WIS 3.33
USA TODAY/AVCA Coaches Poll
Sept. 25, 2000 – Poll #4 Rk School Total 2000 Last (First-Place Votes) Points Record Week 1 Nebraska (48) 1,486 11-0 1 2 Hawai’i (10) 1,446 10-0 2 3 Colorado State 1,359 14-1 4 4 Southern California (2) 1,328 9-0 5 5 UCLA 1,231 9-3 7 6 Minnesota 1,194 13-0 9 7 Pepperdine 1,087 9-2 8 8 Arizona 1,045 10-1 10 9 UC Santa Barbara 961 8-3 13 10 Wisconsin 925 12-1 14 11 Penn State 918 11-3 3 12 Florida 848 8-3 12 13 Long Beach State 806 8-3 6 14 Brigham Young 691 9-3 15 15 Stanford 651 7-4 11 16 Utah 573 10-1 18 17 Pacific 547 8-3 16 18 Santa Clara 518 11-1 19 19 Ohio State 425 12-0 25 20 Michigan State 354 9-3 17 21 Notre Dame 269 9-4 24 22 Texas A&M 250 8-3 23 23 Loyola Marymount 121 9-3 22 24 Kansas State 114 8-3 20 25 Michigan 100 8-3 21 Others receiving 30 or more points: Texas Tech (85), Cal Poly (41), Missouri (32)
Volleyball Magazine Top 20 Poll
Sept. 25, 2000/Poll #5 2000 Last Rk School Record Week 1 Southern California 9-0 1 2 Hawai’i 10-0 2 3 Nebraska 11-0 4 4 Colorado State 14-1 7 5 Minnesota 13-0 8 6 Wisconsin 12-1 14 7 Penn State 11-3 3 8 Pepperdine 9-2 6 9 Brigham Young 9-3 9 10 UCLA 9-3 11 11 Long Beach State 8-3 5 12 Arizona 10-1 12 13 Stanford 7-4 10 14 UC Santa Barbara 8-3 17 15 Ohio State 12-0 16 16 Pacific 8-3 13 17 Florida 8-3 15 18 Utah 10-1 18 19 Santa Clara 11-1 19 20 North Carolina 12-2 NR Others: Michigan State, Loyola Marymount, Utah State, Baylor, Kansas State, Michigan, Notre Dame, Washington State, Arizona State, Cal Poly
