Women’s Volleyball Hosts Indiana Friday and Purdue Sunday in Big Ten Matches – Ohio State Buckeyes
10/31/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The OhioState (11-10 overall, 5-7 Big Ten) women’s volleyball team returns to St. John Arena to play host to Indiana (14-10, 5-7) and Purdue (13-10, 6-6). The Buckeyes will play the Hoosiers at 7 p.m. Friday and host the Boilermakers at 2 p.m. Sunday.
CALHOUN NAMED BIG TEN DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Kaila Calhoun (Fr., Elkhart, Ind.) was been named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for her play in road victories against Iowa (3-0) and No. 22 Minnesota (3-2) last week. She averaged 1.25 blocks and 3.75 digs per game for the weekend and had a .969 reception percentage while holding the two opponents to a combined .084 hitting percentage.
In the 30-15, 30-28, 31-29 win at Iowa, Calhoun had a team-high 13 digs, adding a solo block, three kills, an ace serve and an assist. She handled 21 of 22 reception attempts (.955) against the Hawkeyes. The Buckeye defense held Iowa to a .037 hitting percentage.
At Minnesota, in a come-from-behind 24-30, 23-30, 30-27, 31-29, 15-10 win, Calhoun had a team-high 17 digs and tied her career-high of nine assist blocks against the Golden Gophers. She added four kills, a career-high five assists and handled 41 of 42 reception attempts (.976) in the match. The Buckeye defense held Minnesota to a .117 hitting percentage.
A LOOK AT OHIOSTATE
Head coach Jim Stone is in his 26th season with the Buckeyes. OhioState is 11-10 overall and 5-7 in the Big Ten. Last week OhioState won at Iowa, 3-0 (30-15, 30-28, 31-29) and at 22nd-ranked Minnesota, 3-2 (24-30, 23-30, 30-27, 31-29, 15-10).
Danielle Meyer (Sr., Cincinnati, Ohio) leads the Buckeyes in points per game with a 5.21 average. Briana McCarthy (Sr., Beaver Dam, Wis.) ranks second at 3.40 with Katie Dull (Fr., Solon, Ohio) third at 3.25. Meyer leads the team in kills per game at 4.21 with Dull second at 2.75 and McCarthy third at 2.45. Meyer is the top percentage hitter on the squad with a .268 average. McCarthy ranks second at .262. McCarthy, at setter, is averaging 3.84 assists on the season. In her six starts at setter in the last eight matches, she is averaging 10.60 assists per game. Ashley Hughes (So., Carroll, Ohio) is averaging 8.38 and Betsy Hone (Fr., Celina, Ohio) 7.96 assists per game. McCarthy has produced a team-high 25 ace serves with a .33 per game average. Dull has 16 aces with a .22 per game average. Defensively, Ami Stevens (Sr., Centerburg, Ohio) has a team-high 2.97 digs per game average for the Buckeyes. Calhoun ranks second at 2.63 with Meyer third at 2.55. At the net, Meyer leads the team in blocking with a 1.44 per game average with 12 solos and 96 assists. McCarthy ranks second at 1.03 with 15 solos and 62 assists. Stevens has a .969 reception percentage to lead the squad with 622 reception attempts with 19 errors. Meyer ranks second at .951 with 388 attempts and 19 errors.
As a team, OhioState is averaging 18.61 points and 14.21 kills per game and is hitting .201. The Buckeyes average 13.11 assists, 1.49 aces, 14.65 digs and 2.91 blocks per game. Buckeye opponents average 18.16 points, 14.40 kills and are hitting .190. Opponents average 13.28 assists, 1.32 aces, 14.87 digs and 2.45 blocks per game.
A LOOK AT INDIANA
Head coach Sherry Dunbar is in her first season with the Hoosiers. Indiana has a 14-10 overall record and is 5-7 in the Big Ten. The Hoosiers have lost their last three matches including two losses last week. In home matches, Indiana lost to eighth-ranked Wisconsin, 3-2 (30-23, 30-20, 29-31, 28-30, 16-14) and to Illinois, 3-1 (30-26, 30-26, 26-30, 30-27).
Indiana’s Erica Short leads the team in points per game at 4.81. Lauren Ditteon ranks second at 3.54 and Ashley Benson is third at 3.10. Short has a team-high 4.30 kills per game average. Ditteon ranks second at 3.76 with Kelsey Hall third at 2.48. Ditteon is the top percentage hitter on the squad at .254. Benson ranks second at .248. Setter Mara Hilgenberg is averaging 12.08 assists per game. Juli Pierce leads the team with 34 aces with a .38 per game average. Ditteon ranks second with 32 (.36). Defensively, Pierce has a team-high 4.08 digs per game average. Kelsey Hall ranks second at 2.82 with Ditteon third at 2.10. At the net, Benson is leading the team in blocks per game with a 1.24 average. She has 10 solos and 88 assists. Taylor Wittmer is second in blocking at 1.13 with four solos and 83 assists.
Indiana is averaging 19.09 points and 14.64 kills per game while hitting .196. The Hoosiers average 13.57 assists, 1.53 aces, 14.40 digs and 2.91 blocks per game. Opponents average 18.59 points and 15.02 points per game while hitting .207. Indiana opponents average 14.31 assists, 1.10 aces, 16.53 digs and 2.47 blocks per game.
OHIO STATE – INDIANA SERIES
OhioState leads the series with Indiana, 38-23. In Columbus, the Buckeyes are 21-8 against the Hoosiers. OSU has won the last six matches in St. John Arena and has won seven of the last eight matches overall. Earlier this season Indiana won 3-1 (30-19, 30-18, 25-30, 30-20) in Bloomington.
A LOOK AT PURDUE
Head coach Dave Shondell is in his fifth season for the Boilermakers. Purdue has a 13-10 overall record and is 6-6 prior to a Friday match at PennState. The Boilermakers lost home matches last week to Illinois, 3-0 (30-26, 30-28, 30-28) and to eighth-ranked Wisconsin, 3-1 (30-14, 30-19, 26-30, 30-23).
The Boilermakers top point scorer is Stephanie Lynch with a 4.74 per game average. Danita Merlau ranks second at 4.23 with Samantha Mader third at 3.26. In kills per game, Lynch has a team-high 3.93 per game average. Merlau ranks second at 3.73 with Mader third at 2.89. Lynch is the top percentage hitter on the team at .350. Setter Jaclyn Hart is averaging a team-high 9.83 assists per game with Sam Gray averaging 6.68. Kelli Miller leads the team in aces with 23 with a .27 per game average. Gray ranks second with 10 (.27). Defensively, Miller has a team-high 4.63 digs per game average with Anne Mastandrea second at 4.26. At the net, Lynch has a team-high 1.24 blocks per game average with 18 solos and 86 attempts. Hart ranks second with a .72 average with seven solos and 53 assists.
Purdue is averaging 19.13 points and 15.23 kills per game and is hitting .199. The Boilermakers average 13.98 assists, .98 aces, 18.30 digs and 2.92 blocks per game. Opponents are averaging 18.88 points and 15.45 kills per game while hitting .179. Boilermaker opponents average 14.30 assists, 1.00 aces, 17.81 digs and 2.43 blocks per game.
OHIO STATE – PURDUE SERIES
OhioState leads the series with Purdue, 38-31. The Buckeyes have an 18-8 advantage in Columbus over the Boilermakers. OSU has won the last three matches played against Purdue in St. John Arena. Earlier this season in West Lafayette, Purdue defeated OhioState, 3-0 (30-26, 30-26, 30-23).
MEYER HOLDS SECOND PLACE IN OSU CAREER ASSIST BLOCKS
Danielle Meyer had six assist blocks at Iowa to move to second on the OhioState career assist blocks list with 393. She added two assist blocks at Minnesota and now has 395 career blocks. Meyer passed Suzie Stiling (1999-02) with 392. Meyer needs 48 assist blocks to pass career leader Dawn McDougall (1988-91) with 442.
MEYER LEADS OSU IN POINTS, KILLS AND BLOCKS
Danielle Meyer has been OhioState’s top performer this season, leading the Buckeyes in points (5.21), kills (4.21) and blocks (1.44). She is the top percentage hitter on the squad at .268 and ranks third in digs per game at 2.55 and fourth in aces at .20 per game. Last week Meyer had a match-high 19 points and 14 kills at Iowa, adding 11 digs, two solo blocks and six assist blocks. At Minnesota she recorded match-highs of 22 points and 20 kills, adding 15 digs, two assist blocks and an ace serve. She has started all 21 matches this season.
MEYER NEARING SECOND IN OSU CAREER TOTAL BLOCKS
Danielle Meyer is seven total blocks from moving into second place on the OhioState career total blocks list. She currently has 449 total blocks with 54 solo and 395 assist blocks. Suzie Stiling (1999-02) ranks second in OSU career total blocks with 455 (63-392).
DULL HAS DOUBLE-FIGURE KILLS AT MINNESOTA
Katie Dull had her 11th double-figure kill match of the season at Minnesota with 12. She added seven digs, three assist blocks, two ace serves and three assist. At Iowa, Dull had four kills, two ace serves, a solo block an assist block and three assists against the Hawkeyes. On the season, she has started all 21 matches and ranks third on the team in points per game at 3.25. She is averaging 2.75 kills, .22 aces, .49 blocks and 1.34 digs per game.
McCARTHY HAS HER FIRST CAREER TRIPLE-DOUBLE AT MINNESOTA
Briana McCarthy, with 39 assists, 10 kills and 10 digs, recorded her first career triple-double in the 3-2 come-from-behind win at Minnesota. She added two ace serves and two assist blocks against the Gophers. In the Iowa match, McCarthy had 32 assists, three kills, two ace serves, six digs, three solo blocks and three assist blocks. She has started all 21 matches, and has six starts at setter in the last eight matches. In those matches, she is averaging 10.60 assists per game. McCarthy ranks second on the team in points per game at 3.40. She is averaging 2.45 kills, .33 aces, 1.03 blocks, 1.89 digs and 3.84 assists per game.
McCARTHY MOVES INTO A TIE FOR SIXTEENTH IN OSU CAREER ACES
Briana McCarthy recorded four ace serves last week to raise her career total to 105 and has moved into a tie for 16th on the OhioState career aces list. She is tied with Rosie Snow (1996-99). McCarthy needs two aces to pass No. 15 Lisa Vitali (1986-89) with 106.
STEVENS NOW FOURTH IN OSU CAREER DIGS
Ami Stevens recorded 20 digs last week and now has 1,286 career digs to move to fourth on the OhioState career digs list. She moved past Holly O’Leary (1987-90) with 1,281 and needs 46 digs to pass No. 3 Lisa Vitali (1986-89) with 1,331. Stevens had 11 digs at Iowa, adding 10 kills and two assist blocks. She posted nine digs at Minnesota, collecting seven kills, an ace serve and an assist block. Stevens has played in every match this season, starting eight matches at outside hitter, including the last five. She also has 12 starts at libero. Stevens leads the Buckeyes in digs per game at 2.97. She leads the team in reception percentage at .969.
STEVENS MOVES INTO 20TH IN OSU CAREER POINTS
Ami Stevens, with 19.5 points last week, has moved to 20th on the OhioState career points list with 1,126.0. She recorded 11 points at Iowa and 8.5 at Minnesota. Stevens moved past Julie Chellevold (1988-91) with 1,119.5. She needs 28 points to pass No. 19 Dawn McDougall (1988-91) with 1,153.0
HUNTER MOVES INTO THE STARTING LINEUP
Kristi Hunter (Fr., Roblin, Manitoba, Canada) saw her first action as a starter last week in the Iowa and Minnesota matches. Previously, she had only played in three matches. At Iowa, Hunter had a career-high nine kills while hitting a career-high .368 (9-2-19). She added three digs and an assist block in the match. At Minnesota, she had six kills, five assist blocks, four digs and an ace serve. Hunter has played in five matches with two starts. She is averaging 2.00 points, 1.53 kills, .87 digs and .80 blocks per game.
STEVENS NAMED BIG TEN DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Oct. 8
Ami Stevens (Sr., Centerburg, Ohio) has been named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for her play in home matches against Minnesota and Iowa. Stevens posted a season-high 25 digs in the 3-2 loss to 11th-ranked Minnesota. She added two ace serves and two assists in the match and handled 38 reception attempts without an error. Against Iowa, in a 3-1 victory, Stevens recorded a match-high 19 digs against the Hawkeyes adding an ace serve and an assist. She handled 30 of 32 reception attempts in the match against the Hawkeyes. For the season, Stevens leads OhioState in digs per game with a 3.04 average.
Head Coach Jim Stone announces he will retire after the 2007 season
Jim Stone, OhioState women’s volleyball head coach, announced Sept. 10 he will retire effective July 31, 2008.
“I have been coaching every fall for 29 years,” Stone said. “I’ve found every season challenging and fun. I’d like to thank both OhioState and the University of Wyoming for the opportunity to pursue a passion.”
Gene Smith, director of athletics at The Ohio State University, praised the career of Stone.
“Jim has been an ambassador for The Ohio State University and our volleyball program for more than a quarter century,” Smith said. “His record and list of accomplishments overshadow the positive effect he has had on hundreds of young people over the years. He will be missed.”
“I know I will miss coaching good players and I’ve been fortunate to be able to do that,” Stone said. “Watching players improve and achieve great things is a thrill for which I have no words to describe.”
With regards to his future plans, Stone is keeping his options open.
“I am not going to rule out coaching again, but right now I would like to step away to work on some volleyball-related projects that I’m excited about.”
BUCKEYES TO MAKE FIVE APPEARANCES ON THE BIG TEN NETWORK, ONE ON ESPN2
The Big Ten Network will carry five OhioState women’s volleyball matches live this season. The first was Oct. 5 against Minnesota at 6 p.m. Two other home matches will be broadcast by the Network. They include OhioState’s match against Wisconsin that has been moved from Saturday, Nov. 17 to Monday Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. The following Wednesday, Nov. 21, will have Ohio State playing Penn State on the Network at 8 p.m. Buckeye road contests on the Network included at Penn State on Wednesday, Oct. 10 at 8 p.m. and at Minnesota, Saturday, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. Ohio State was also featured on one of three Big Ten matches to be carried by ESPN2. OhioState’s match at Wisconsin on Friday, Oct. 19 was broadcast on Sunday, Oct. 21 at noon.
MEYER A UNANIMOUS CHOICE FOR THE 2007 PRESEASON ALL-BIG TEN TEAM
Middle blocker Danielle Meyer was one of three unanimous selections to the 2007 Preseason All-Big Ten team. Meyer is a two-time American Volleyball Coaches Association third-team All-American and a two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection. This is the second time she has earned preseason honors. PennState and Wisconsin each placed three players on the team while Illinois, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, OhioState and Purdue had one player each on the team.
Meyer, a 2006 ESPN The Magazine Second-Team Academic All-American, averaged 4.26 kills 1.96 digs and .85 blocks per game last season while hitting .301. She started all 32 matches in 2006, the first 22 at outside hitter and the last 10 at middle blocker.
OHIOSTATE PICKED TO FINISH FOURTH IN THE BIG TEN PRESEASON POLL
The Buckeyes, by a vote of the Big Ten Conference coaches, were tabbed to finish fourth in the league. Four-time defending Big Ten champion PennState was picked to finish first with Wisconsin second and Minnesota third. Following OhioState, Purdue was ranked fifth, Michigan sixth, Michigan State seventh, Illinois eighth, Northwestern ninth, Iowa 10th and Indiana 11th.
HEAD COACH JIM STONE
Jim Stone enters his 26th season at OhioState. He has a 529-288 record with the Buckeyes and is 295-171 in Big Ten play. His squads have won Big Ten Championships in 1989, 1991 and 1994 and finished tied for second in 2004 before being named the Big Ten Coach of the Year. He was the 1991 Volleyball Monthly National Coach of the Year and the Big Ten Coach of the Year in 1989, 1991, 1994 and 2004. Under Stone, OhioState has participated in the NCAA championship in 15 of the last 18 years, advancing to the national semifinals in 1991 and 1994. Stone’s coaching career record includes three years at Wyoming (1979-1981). His 29-year career record is 579-330.
OHIO STATE WINS THE ACTIVE ANKLE CHALLENGE
The Buckeyes won three matches at the Active Ankle Challenge in Muncie, Ind. OSU opened play with a 3-0 (30-24, 30-22, 30-19) win over Southeast Missouri State. BallState, with a 3-2 (26-30, 30-23, 30-24, 25-30, 15-13) victory over Maine completed the first round. The Buckeyes started the second round with a 3-0 (30-12, 30-19, 30-19) win over Maine. SouthwestMissouriState defeated BallState, 3-2 (30-22, 30-23, 23-30, 27-30, 15-13) to complete the second round. SouthwestMissouriState started round three with a 3-0 (30-22, 30-24, 30-20) win over Maine. The Buckeyes won the Challenge with a 3-0 (30-21, 30-28, 30-23) victory over BallState. OhioState’s Danielle Meyer was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament with teammates Ami Stevens and Briana McCarthy selected to the All-Tournament Team. Also named to the team were Brenna Schlader and Molly Davis from SoutheastMissouriState, Lindsay Allman from Maine and Alyssa Rio from BallState.
MEYER AND DOZIER EARN ALL-TOURNAMENT HONORS AT THE SPORTS IMPORTS CLASSIC
Danielle Meyer was named the Best Attacker and Kristen Dozier the Best Blocker at the 2007 Sports Imports Classic. Other all-tournament members included USC’s Asia Kaczor as the Most Valuable Player and Taylor Carico as the Best Setter. Oregon’s Heather Meyers was named the Best Server and Katie Swoboda, the Best Libero. Southern California (2-0) won the Classic with a 3-2 win over OhioState (0-2) and a 3-0 victory over Purdue (1-1). Oregon (1-1) lost to Purdue, 3-1 and defeated OhioState, 3-0.
MEET THE BUCKEYES
#1 Laura Kastein (Libero/Defensive Specialist, 5-7, Jr., Marysville, Ohio) 2007 (Junior Season) Played in 17 matches, starting as a defensive specialist three times and five at libero … career-high 11 digs against Northwestern … career-high two ace serves at Purdue. 2006 (Sophomore Season at Duquesne) Played in 32 matches … starting libero … team season-highs of 36 aces and 531 digs … ranked sixth in the Atlantic-10 in digs per game at 4.43 … was seventh in the A-10 conference statistics at 4.06 digs per game … career-high five ace serves against Louisiana-Lafayette … career-high 32 digs at Fordham … double-figure digs in 25 matches … eight matches with 20 or more digs. 2005 (Freshman Season at Duquesne) Played in 26 matches with four starts for coach Steve Opperman … starting libero … team season-highs of 26 aces and 325 digs … season-high 24 digs at Robert Morris … double-figure digs in 20 matches … ranked eighth at 3.65 digs per game in Atlantic-10 statistics … starting setter in the final three matches of the season … career-high 37 assists at Rhode Island … season-high three aces in five matches.
#3 Allie Schwarzwalder (Outside Hitter, 5-11, Fr., North Royalton, Ohio) 2007 (Freshman Season) Has not played. USA Volleyball Member of 2006 USA Volleyball Junior National A2 Team. North Royalton High School Played middle hitter for four years … coached by Heidi Balicki in 2003-04 and by Kristen Hubbell in 2005-06 … Pioneer All-Conference in 2005 and 2006 … Pioneer Conference MVP in 2006 … first-team All-District as a senior and District MVP … second-team All-District as a junior … third-team All-State as a senior … named the North Royalton Offensive Player of the Year as a junior … All-Academic Team as a senior.
#4 Kaila Calhoun (Outside Hitter, 5-10, Fr., Elkhart, Ind.) 2007 (Freshman Season) Played in 21 matches starting in 13 as an outside hitter and four at libero … career-high 19 digs against Minnesota … career-high eight kills against Southern California … double-figure digs in nine matches … career-highs of nine assist blocks and 10 total blocks (1-9) at Illinois … equaled her career high of nine assist blocks at Minnesota … career-high 12.5 points at Illinois … named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week and the Ohio State Athlete of the Week for her play at Iowa and Minnesota. Concord High School Participated in volleyball, basketball and track … volleyball coach was Jim Routhier … first team all-conference in volleyball as a junior and senior … second team as a sophomore and honorable mention as a freshman … first team all-state as a senior and second team as a junior … Best Offensive and Best Attacker Awards as a senior and junior … Best Attacker award as a sophomore … broke the school record for blocks as a junior … an Indiana All-Star team selection as a junior and senior … first team all-conference in basketball as a junior … Best Offensive and Best Rebounding Awards as a freshman and sophomore … team MVP in track as a junior … broke school long jump record as a senior … a Scholar Athlete and a member of the National Honor Society.
#5 Susan Halverson (Libero/Defensive Specialist, 5-7, Fr., Apple Valley, Minn.) 2007 (Freshman Season) Played in 11 matches with one start … career-high five digs at Minnesota … recorded an ace serve against Youngstown State and Michigan. Apple Valley High School Played libero for four years for coach Walt Weaver … three-time all-conference selection … all-state as a senior … honorable mention all-state as a junior … team captain as a senior … team MVP as a senior … named Miss Defensive Apple Valley three times … first-team All-Metro as a senior … set school single season dig record of 536 in 2006 … named to the Honor Roll four times … three-time All Lake Conference Student-Athlete … Academic All-State as a junior and senior.
#6 Danielle Meyer (Middle Blocker/Outside Hitter, 6-1, Sr., Cincinnati, Ohio) – USA National Program A member of the USA Youth National Team … played on the USA Youth National Team that competed in the 2003 World Championships in Poland.
Career Ranks third in points with 1,996.5 … third in points per game at 4.75 … third in kills with 1,650 … fourth in kills per game at 3.93 … seventh in hitting percentage at .288 … 10th in solo blocks with 54 … second in assist blocks with 395 … third in total blocks with 449 (54-395) … fourth in blocks per game at 1.07. 2007 (Senior Season) Started 21 matches … recorded a triple-double at Illinois with 27 kills, 17 digs and 12 blocks (1-11) … season high of 27 kills against Iowa and at Illinois … season-high 34.5 points at Illinois … season-high 17 digs at Illinois … career-high 12 total blocks (1-11) and 11 assist blocks at Illinois … double-figure kills in 18 matches … named the Ohio State Athlete of the Week for her play at Wisconsin and Illinois … named the Ohio State Athlete of the Week for her play against Northwestern and Michigan State … named the Ohio State Athlete of the Week for her play at the Active Ankle Challenge … named the Most Valuable Player of the Active Ankle Challenge … named the Best Attacker at the Sports Imports Classic. 2006 (Junior Season) ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American second team … first team ESPN The Magazine All-District … Academic All-Big Ten … Ohio State Scholar-Athlete … American Volleyball Coaches Association third team All-American … Asics/Volleyball Magazine honorable mention All-American … AVCA All-Region first team … All-Big Ten … started all 32 matches, the first 22 at outside hitter and the last 10 at middle blocker … Most Outstanding Player of the Sports Imports Classic … Most Valuable Player of the Towson Invitational … Big Ten Player of the Week for her play at the Towson Invitational … career-high 32 kills at Towson … season-high 17 digs at Iowa … career-high five aces against Tennessee Tech … double-figure kills in 28 matches … double-figure digs in nine matches … career-high three solo blocks against Iowa … Buckeye Power Club member. 2005 (Sophomore Season) Third-team American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American … All-Big Ten … a second team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District selection … Ohio State Scholar-Athlete … named to the Academic All-Big Ten squad … started all 31 matches … ranked fourth in the Big Ten in kills per game at 4.11 … season-high 29 kills at Cleveland State … season-high 31 points at Bowling Green … career-high 19 digs at Indiana … tied her career-high nine blocks at Iowa (1-8) and at Purdue (2-7) … season-high of four aces at Northwestern … 25 matches with double-figure kills … nine matches with 21 or more kills … 11 matches with double-figure digs … named to the Buckeye Classic All-Tournament Team … named to the Bowling Green Invitational All-Tournament Team. 2004 (Freshman Season) Started in 34 matches … Ohio State Scholar-Athlete … season-high 18 kills against North Carolina … career-high nine assist blocks against Illinois … hit a career-high .727 (9-1-11) against Youngstown State … season-high four ace serves at Wisconsin … season-high seven digs against Dayton … season-high two solo blocks against Northwestern and vs. Tennessee … named to the All-Tournament Team at the Georgia Tech Invitational … double-figure kills in 16 matches … five or more blocks in 13 matches.
#7 Ami Stevens (Libero, 6-1, Sr., Centerburg, Ohio) – USA Volleyball A member of the 2006 USA National A-2 Team, named to the All-Tournament Team at the U.S. Open Championship in New Orleans … A member of the United States Junior National Team in 2004 and 2005. Career Ranks 20th in kills with 943 … 19th in hitting percentage at .235 … tied for 19th in aces with 102 … ranks 18th in aces per game at .25 … third in digs with 1,286 … ranks second in digs per game at 3.14 … 20th in points with 1,126.0. 2007 (Senior Season) Played in 21 matches … started 12 matches at libero and eight at outside hitter … named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after matches against Minnesota and Iowa … season-high of 12 kills (.579) at Illinois State … season-high 25 digs against Michigan State … named to the Active Ankle Challenge All-Tournament Team. 2006 (Junior Season) Second team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District selection … Academic All-Big Ten … Ohio State Scholar-Athlete … played in 32 matches, starting 18 with 14 starts at libero … season-high 14 kills against Iona … double-figure kills in 12 matches … hit a career-high .667 (14-0-21) against Iona … double-figure digs in 19 matches … 20 or more digs in six matches … equaled her career-high of seven assist blocks at Northwestern … pre-season All-Big Ten selection … All-Tournament Team at Towson Invitational. 2005 (Sophomore Season) A third team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District selection … started and played in 29 matches … Ohio State Scholar-Athlete … Academic All-Big Ten … career-high 26 kills at Bowling Green … career-high 28.5 points at Northwestern – season-high .500 (13-0-26) hitting percentage at Michigan … ranked 10th in the Big Ten in kills per game at 3.44 … season-high 22 digs against Brigham Young … double-figure kills in 20 matches … double-figure digs in 15 matches … Ohio State Athlete of the Week for her play at Wisconsin and Northwestern … 2005 Preseason All-Big Ten Selection … named to the Buckeye Classic All-Tournament Team … named to the Bowling Green Invitational All-Tournament Team. 2004 (Freshman Season) Started in 34 matches … named to the All-Big Ten Freshman Team … Ohio State Scholar-Athlete … season-high of 17 kills against Northwestern and vs. Tennessee in the NCAA Regional semifinals … career-high four ace serves against Florida International … career-high 27 digs against Tennessee … hit a season-high .615 (9-1-13) against Youngstown State … double-figure kills in 18 matches … double-figure digs in 18 matches.
#8 Briana McCarthy (Outside hitter, 6-2, 5th-year/Sr., Beaver Dam, Wis.) Career Ranks eighth in hitting percentage at .287 … eighth in assists with 1,631 … 12th in assists per game at 3.82 … 11th in solo blocks with 53 … sixth in assist blocks with 323 … ninth in total blocks with 376 (53-323) … 11th in blocks per game at .90 … 22nd in points with 1,105.5. 2007 (5th year/Senior eligibility) Started 21 matches with 15 starts at outside hitter and six at setter … recorded her first triple-double at Minnesota with 10 kills, 39 assists and 10 digs … double-figure kills in nine matches with a season-high 15 kills against Southeast Missouri State and at Illinois State … season-high 14 digs against Northwestern … career-high 10 assist blocks at Illinois … season-high 61 assists against Iowa … named to the Active Ankle Challenge All-Tournament Team. 2006 (Senior Season/Junior Eligibility) Academic All-Big Ten … Ohio State Scholar-Athlete … played in all 32 matches with 26 starts … career-high 22 kills at Purdue … hit a career-high .700 (7-0-10) against IPFW … double-figure kills in 17 matches … season-high 10 digs at Iowa … season-high five assists at Purdue … career-high 25 points at Purdue 2005 (Junior Season) Did not play … Ohio State Scholar-Athlete … Academic All-Big Ten. 2004 (Sophomore Season) Academic All-Big Ten … Ohio State Scholar-Athlete … played in 34 matches, started in 26 … career-high five ace serves against Northwestern … hit a season-high .500 (8-1-14) at Indiana and against Ohio (5-0-10) … season-high of 11 kills at Minnesota … season-high five digs at Northwestern … season-high seven assist blocks against Illinois … equaled her career-high of four solo blocks against Northwestern and against Tennessee … equaled her career-high of eight total blocks (1-7) at Illinois. 2003 (Freshman Season) Ohio State Scholar-Athlete … started all 28 matches … first two starts were at outside hitter … started at setter the next 26 matches … career-high 66 assists against Rice … season-high nine kills against Purdue while hitting a season-high .643 (9-0-14) … season-high three aces against Indiana … career-high 18 digs against Penn State … recorded four solos blocks against Penn State for her career high … career-high eight assist blocks against Bowling Green … season-high 12.5 points against Rice … double-figure digs in two matches.
#10 Kristi Hunter (Middle Blocker, 5-10, Fr., Roblin, Manitoba, Canada) 2007 (Freshman Season) Played in five matches with two starts … career-high nine kills at Iowa … career-highs of six digs and six assist blocks at Illinois … hit a career-high .368 (9-2-19) at Iowa. Goose Lake High School Played volleyball and participated in track … played four years of volleyball for Jarrett Newton as an outside hitter (three years) and then as a middle blocker her senior season … a four-year All-Star … team won the bronze medal in the “AA” Provincial Volleyball Championships in 2003, 05 and 06 … team captain as a senior … named Athlete of the Year as a sophomore and junior … named to the Winnipeg Sun’s Top Ten … nominated for the Mike Burchuk Award (who best exemplifies volleyball, leadership, and scholastic achievements) … named the Jostens High School Female Athlete of the Year for Manitoba … JV basketball Provincial Champions as a freshman (All-Star) and sophomore (MVP) … basketball Provincial Finalists as a junior (All-Star) … Provincial high jump champion as a sophomore and junior … a member of the Student Council … Secretary for the Manitoba Charolais Youth Association … Student Council … Honor Roll.
#11 Ashley Hughes (Setter, 5-11, So., Carroll, Ohio) 2007 (Sophomore Season) Played in 10 matches with five starts … had a career-high 52 assists against Southern California … career-high five assist blocks, five kills and 14 digs against Southern California. 2006 (Freshman Season) Played in seven matches … Ohio State Scholar-Athlete … career-high six assists at Youngstown State … career-high two digs against Lehigh.
#12 Kristen Dozier (Middle Blocker, 6-2, So., Sandy Spring, Md.) 2007 (Sophomore Season) Played in 17 matches with 13 starts … season-high 10 kills at Ball State … hit a combined .575 for the three Active Ankle Challenge matches … hit a career-high .800 (8-0-10) against Maine … season-high eight assist blocks against Southern California … season-high 11 points against USC … named the Best Blocker at the Sports Imports Classic. 2006 (Freshman Season) Played in 22 matches, starting 21 … career-high 11 kills against Iona … career-high 13 assist blocks against Houston to set an OSU match record for assist blocks and tied the OSU record for total blocks in a match … hit a career-high .750 (10-1-12) against Lehigh … career-high five digs against Houston … career-high three aces against Iona … career-high 15.5 points against Houston … double-figure kills in three matches.
#13 Betsy Hone (Setter, 5-10, Fr., Celina, Ohio) USA Volleyball USA Volleyball High Performance Program … USA Volleyball Junior National A2 Team. 2007 (Freshman Season) Played in 16 matches with 11 starts at setter and two at libero … career-high 51 assists against Southeast Missouri State … career-high 12 digs against Northwestern … career-high five kills against Northwestern … career-high four assist blocks against Pacific. Celina High School Played volleyball and basketball and participated in track … volleyball coach was Nikki Etzler in 2003-05 and DeDe Stoner in 2006 … three-time first-team Western Buckeye League (WBL) All-Conference … WBL special mention as a freshman … three-time first-team District 8 selection … honorable mention District 8 selection as a freshman … first-team All-State as a senior, second-team as a junior and honorable mention as a sophomore … WBL first-team All-Conference in basketball as a sophomore and junior … honorable mention Northwest District as a sophomore and junior … honorable mention All-State as a junior … WBL first-team All-Conference as a freshman in track for high jump … named to the Volleyball Magazine “Fab 50” … Honor Roll … Who’s Who Among High School Students
#14 Anna Szerszen (Outside Hitter, 6-3, Fr., Conflans Ste Hne, France) French National Team Selected to the National Team in 2003 … in Summer of 2004 played in 8 Nations Tournament in Italy … in December 2004, named the best player’ of the International Tournament in Spain … January of 2005 played in qualification tournament for the European Championship … Summer of 2005 played in international tournaments in Poland, Holland, Belgium (8 Nations Tournament) and in Italy (European Youth Olympic Festival) … Played with the National Team during the 2007 Summer. 2007 (Sophomore Season) Played in 12 matches with seven starts … hit a season-high .348 against Michigan … season-high 15 kills against Iowa … season-high three aces against Maine and Iowa … season-high 10 digs against Minnesota … returned to campus from the French National Team in time to see action at the Active Ankle Challenge. 2006 (Freshman Season) Started 25 matches … named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team … Ohio State Scholar-Athlete … career-high 27 kills against Michigan … double-figure kills in 24 matches … four-20 plus kill matches including 25 at Iowa, 23 at Purdue and 20 against Minnesota … career-high .440 (12-1-25) hitting percentage against IPFW … career-high 17 digs at Northwestern … four double-figure dig matches … career-high 29.5 points against Michigan … named the Co-Big Ten Player of the Week for her play against Michigan State and Michigan in home matches … missed the first eight matches of the season, arriving at Ohio State Sept. 8 after playing for France in the European Junior National Championships.
#15 Carly Syms (Libero/Defensive Specialist, 5-7, Fr., Elyria, Ohio) 2007 (Freshman Season) Played in five matches … career-high five digs and an ace serve against Southeast Missouri State … Magnificat High School Played four years at outside hitter and defensive specialist … JV coach as a freshman was Mary French … coached by Brigid Kennedy as a sophomore and Mike Cannon for the junior and senior seasons … three-time District Champions … three-time Regional Semifinalist … Coaches Award in 2006 … Yearbook Sports Editor as a junior and Co-Executive Editor as a senior … received High Honors for four years.
#16 Katie Dull (Outside Hitter, 5-11, Fr., Solon, Ohio) 2007 (Freshman Season) Started in 21 matches … career high 16 kills against Northwestern … career-highs three aces, 14 digs and 19 points against Youngstown State … career-high five assist blocks at Illinois … named the Ohio State Athlete of the Week for her play against Youngstown State … career-high .583 (8-1-12) hitting percentage against Maine. USA Volleyball Selected to the 2007 U.S. Women’s Junior National Training Team. Walsh Jesuit High School Played volleyball and basketball … three-year volleyball starter for coach Missy Christ … state runner-up as a junior and senior … three-time first-team All-District … two-time first-team All-Ohio as a junior and senior … Prepvolleyball High School All-American as a junior and senior … named to the Volleyball Magazine “Fab 50” … Mizuno/Volleyball Magazine first-team All-American as a senior … American Volleyball Coaches Association Senior All-American … Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior … played basketball as a freshman and sophomore … team won the Division II State Championship in 2005 … four-year Scholar-Athlete and Honor Roll.
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