No. 20 Women’s Volleyball hosts No. 4 Southern California and Oregon in the Sports Imports Classic – Ohio State Buckeyes
9/13/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The 20th-ranked Ohio State (6-1) women’s volleyball team host the third annual Sports Imports Classic Friday and Saturday in St. John Arena. The Classic begins with Purdue (6-3) playing Oregon (10-0) Friday at 4:30 p.m. and Ohio State hosting fourth-ranked Southern California (8-0) at 7 p.m. Action continues Saturday with Purdue facing Southern California at 4:30 p.m. and Ohio State hosting Oregon at 7 p.m. Last week the Buckeyes opened their home schedule Tuesday with a 3-0 (30-19, 30-21, 30-25) win over Youngstown State and then won 3-0 (32-30, 30-22, 30-12) at Illinois State last Tuesday.
A LOOK AT OHIO STATE
Head coach Jim Stone is in his 26th season with the 20th-ranked Buckeyes. Ohio State is 6-1 on the season after opening the home schedule with a 3-0 (30-19, 30-21, 30-25) win over Youngstown State. The Buckeyes won Illinois State, 3-0 (32-30, 30-22, 30-12) Tuesday.
Danielle Meyer (Sr., Cincinnati, Ohio) leads the Buckeyes in points per game with a 5.71 average. Briana McCarthy (Sr., Beaver Dam, Wis.) ranks second at 5.00 with Katie Dull (Fr., Solo, Ohio) third at 3.58. Meyer leads the team in kills per game at 4.52 with McCarthy second at 3.86 and Dull third at 3.05. Kristen Dozier (So., Sandy Spring, Md.) is the top percentage hitter on the squad with a .385 average. McCarthy ranks second at .358 and Meyer third at .321. At setter Betsy Hone (Fr., Celina, Ohio) has an 11.68 assists per game average with Ashley Hughes (So., Carroll, Ohio) averaging 11.50. McCarthy has produced a team-high 14 ace serves with a .67 per game average. Kaila Calhoun (Fr., Elkhart, Ind.) (.29) and Dull (.32) are tied for second with six aces. Defensively, Ami Stevens (Sr., Centerburg, Ohio) has a team-high 3.52 digs per game average for the Buckeyes. Calhoun and Meyer are tied for second at 2.43. At the net, Meyer leads the team in blocking with a 1.71 per game average with four solos and 32 assists. Hone ranks second at .95 per game with 18 assists while Dozier is third at .90 with three solos and 16 assists. Stevens has a .983 reception percentage to lead the squad with 177 reception attempts with three errors. As a team, Ohio State is averaging 21.52 points, 16.29 kills per game and is hitting .259. The Buckeyes average 2.19 aces, 15.19 digs and 3.05 blocks per game. Buckeye opponents average 14.67 points, 11.81 kills and are hitting .113. Opponents average .86 aces, 13.95 digs and 2.00 blocks per game.
A LOOK AT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Head coach Mick Haley is in his sixth season for the Trojans. Fourth-ranked Southern California is 8-0 on the season. The Trojans last week defeated Pepperdine, 3-0 (30-22, 30-23, 30-28) at home and won 3-1 (30-14, 30-28, 22-30, 30-19) at Utah.
Leading Southern California in points per game is Asia Kaczor with a 5.00 average. Diane Copenhagen ranks second at 4.12 and Zoe Garrett is third at 3.58. Kaczor leads the team in kills per game at 4.36 with Copenhagen second at 3.72. Bethany Johansen is the top percentage hitter on the squad at .366. Setter Taylor Carico directs the offense and is averaging 11.85 assists per game. Geena Urango has a team-high 12 ace serves (.50 per game) with Kaczor ranked second with nine (.32). Defensively, Urango has a team-high 2.92 digs per game average with Jessica Gysin second at 2.83. At the net, Garrett leads the team with a 1.16 blocks per game average with six solos and 16 assists. Johansen is second at 1.08 (three solos and 25 assists) per game. As a team, the Trojans average 20.93 points and 16.61 kills per game while hitting .290. Southern California averages 15.32 assists, 1.54 aces, 16.71 digs and 2.79 blocks per game. Opponents average 16.89 points and 14.14 points per game while hitting .163. Trojan opponents average 13.07 assists, .82 aces, 14.75 digs and 1.93 blocks per game.
OHIO STATE – SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SERIES
Southern California has a 2-1 lead in the series with Ohio State. All three matches have been played on neutral courts. The last meeting came in 2001, a 3-0 (30-25, 30-20, 30-27) Trojan win at UCLA in the NCAA Regional Semifinals.
A LOOK AT OREGON
Head coach Jim Moore is in his third season for the Ducks. Oregon has a 10-0 overall record. Last week the Ducks won 3-0 (30-22, 32-30, 30-26) at San Francisco and had two 3-0 home victories over Rutgers (30-11, 30-16, 30-13) (30-11, 30-21, 30-13). Last Tuesday the Ducks defeated Portland, 3-0 (30-22, 30-20, 30-11). Oregon has not lost a game this season.
Gorana Maricic leads the Ducks in points per game with a 5.22 average. Sonja Newcombe ranks second at 4.14 with Heather Meyers third at 4.10. Maricic is the team leader in kills with a 4.76 per game average. Newcombe ranks second at 3.45 with Meyers third at 3.10. Leading Oregon in hitting percentage is Meyers at .461. At setter, Nevena Djordjevic has a team-high 7.80 assist per game average with Rachel Morris averaging 5.59. Meyers leads the team in aces with 18 and has a .62 per game average. Neticia Enesi ranks second with 12 (.41) with Djordjevic third with 11 (.37). Defensively, Katie Swoboada has a team-high 5.07 digs per game average. Maricic ranks second at 2.38 with Newcombe third at 2.45. At the net, Kristen Forristall has a team-high 1.31 blocks per game with four solos and 34 assists. Newcombe ranks second at .83 with two solos and 22 assists. As a team, Oregon is averaging 22.42 points and 17.47 kills per game while hitting .347. The Ducks average 15.50 assists, 2.30 aces, 15.13 digs and 2.65 blocks per game. Opponents average 13.38 points and 10.37 kills while hitting .098. Duck opponents average 9.40 assists, .93 aces, 11.37 digs and 2.08 blocks per game.
OHIO STATE – OREGON SERIES
In the series, Ohio State and Oregon are tied 1-1. Both matches were played at neutral sites. The last meeting came in 1996 at the Rice Invitational, a 3-2 (11-15, 15-10, 15-17, 15-9, 15-7) victory for Ohio State.
SPORTS IMPORTS CLASSIC HISTORY
Ohio State is hosting the third annual Sports Imports Classis this weekend. In 2006, the crossover tournament saw Arizona State defeat Michigan State, 3-0 (30-20, 30-28, 30-21) and Ohio State defeat Tennessee Tech, 3-0 (30-14, 30-22, 30-22) on the first day of play. On day two, Michigan State defeated Tennessee Tech, 3-0 (30-16, 30-20, 30-21) with Ohio State defeating Arizona State, 3-0 (30-24, 30-24, 30-19). In the first year of the Classic, Long Beach State defeated Michigan, 3-0 (30-20, 33-31, 30-25) and Nebraska defeated Ohio State, 3-0 (30-15, 30-19, 30-17) in the first day of play. The second day saw Nebraska defeated Michigan, 3-0 (30-15, 30-19, 30-17) and Ohio State defeated Long Beach State, 3-0 (30-25, 30-25, 32-30).
HEAD COACH JIM STONE ANNOUNCES HE WILL RETIRE AFTER THE 2007 SEASON
Jim Stone, Ohio State women’s volleyball head coach, announced Monday 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 Ohio State and 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.”
DULL HAS BREAKOUT MATCH
In the sixth match of her freshman season, Katie Dull had a breakout match against Youngstown State. She had career-highs of 19 points, 14 kills, three ace serves, 14 digs and four assist blocks against the Penguins. Dull hit .423 in the match collecting 14 kills in 26 attempts with three errors. At Illinois State she had 11 kills and six digs. Dull has had three double-figure kills match of the season.
HUGHES HAS HER FIRST CAREER START
In her first start of her career, Ashley Hughes directed the Buckeyes to a win over Youngstown State. In her two games at setter, she recorded 24 assists adding an ace serve, two assist blocks and a kill, all career highs.
HUGHES COMES OFF THE BENCH AT ILLINOIS STATE
With a 1-0 lead in the match at Illinois State, Ohio State trailed 5-1 in game two when Ashley Hughes came in at setter. OSU cut the margin and tied the game at 21. The Buckeyes then outscored the Redbirds 9-1 to win the game, 30-22. The Buckeyes went on to win game three, 30-12, to take the match. In the match, Hughes had 29 assists, three assist blocks, two digs and a kill.
MCCARTHY HAS HER SECOND-TWO SOLO BLOCK MATCH OF THE SEASON
For the second time this season Briana McCarthy has recorded two solo blocks in a match. She had her two solo blocks, seven kills, an ace serve and a dig against Youngstown State. McCarthy collected her first two solo block match last week against Pacific.
MCCARTHY COLLECTS 10 DIGS AT ILLINOIS STATE
For the first time in 27 matches, Briana McCarthy produced double-figure kills (10) at Illinois State. It marked her fourth career match with 10 or more digs. Against the Redbirds, she added season-highs of 18 points and 15 kills and recording a match-high two ace serves.
MCCARTHY MOVES TO 12TH IN CAREER SOLO BLOCKS
With two solo blocks against Youngstown State, Briana McCarthy has moved to 12th in Ohio State career solo blocks with 43. She moved passed Vanessa Wouters (1996-97) with 42. McCarthy needs three solo blocks to move past No. 11 Holly O’Leary (1987-90) with 45 and would tie teammate Danielle Meyer for 10th.
MEYER RECORDS HER 11TH CONSECUTIVE DOUBLE-FIGURE KILL MATCH
Danielle Meyer had 16 kills against Illinois State to record her 11th consecutive double-figure kill match. It was her 77th double-figure match of her career. Meyer added a season-high 14 digs and three assist blocks in the match. Against the Penguins, Meyer had 14.5 points in the match recording an ace serve, four digs, a solo block and four assists while hitting .407.
MEYER MOVES TO SIXTH IN CAREER KILLS
With 16 kills against Illinois State, Danielle Meyer now has 1,429 career kills and has moved to sixth on the Ohio State career kills list. She has past Leisa Wissler (1988-91) with 1,428 kills. Meyer needs six kills would pass No. 5 Gabriele Jobst (1991-94) with 1,434.
MEYER NOW STANDS 10TH IN CAREER SOLO BLOCKS
With a solo block against Youngstown State, Danielle Meyer has collected 46 career solos and has moved into solo possession of 10th on the Ohio State career solo blocks list. She had been tied with Holly O’Leary (1987-90) with 45.
MEYER MOVES TO SEVENTH IN OSU CAREER POINTS
With 17.5 points at Illinois State, Danielle Meyer has moved to seventh on the Ohio State career points list with 1,725.5. She passed Suzie Stiling (1999-02) with 1,719.0. Meyer needs 13 points to move past No. 6 Gabriele Jobst (1991-94) with 1,738.0 and 16 points to move past No. 5 Lisa Bettio (1982-85) with 1,741.0.
CALHOUN HAS HER FOURTH START OF THE SEASON
Kaila Calhoun had her fourth start of the season against Youngstown State last week. She produced seven kills, seven digs, a solo block and an assist block against the Penguins. Calhoun produced career-highs of seven kills, 8.5 points and equaled her career-high of two assist blocks. On the season, she had had two matches with double-figure digs including a career-high 12 against Maine.
STEVENS TRIES THE OUTSIDE
Ami Stevens had started all six matches at libero this season. Against Illinois State, she moved to the outside and produced 13.5 points with 12 kills (.579), an ace serve and an assist block. She continued a strong defensive posture recording 13 digs and handling 35 reception attempts without an error. Last season Stevens had 19 starts on the outside and had 14 starts at libero.
STEVENS MOVES TO EIGHTH IN OSU CAREER DIGS
Ami Stevens, with 13 digs against Illinois State, now has 1,146 career digs and has moved to eighth on the Ohio State career digs list. She passed Jen Flynn (1996-99) with 1,138. Stevens needs 28 digs to move past No. 7 Julie Chellevold (1988-91) with 1,173. She is currently ranked second in career digs per game at 3.19.
DOZIER LEADS THE BUCKEYES IN HITTING PERCENTAGE
In seven matches this season, Kristen Dozier is leading the Buckeyes in hitting percentage at .385. Earlier this season she hit .800 (8-0-10) against Maine and has hit .471 or better in three of the six matches. Dozier had three kills and a season-high five assist blocks against Youngstown State and three kills, two digs and six total blocks (2-4) at Illinois State.
OHIO STATE RANKED 20TH IN THE CSTV/AVCA COACHES POLL
Ohio State is ranked 20th for the second straight week in the CSTV (College Sports Television/AVCA (American Volleyball Coaches Association) 2007 Division I Coaches Top 25 Poll. The Buckeyes are one of five Big Ten squads ranked in the CSTV/AVCA Poll. Others include Penn State third, Wisconsin ninth, Michigan 10th and Minnesota 13th. Purdue is listed as receiving votes.
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. Penn State and Wisconsin each placed three players on the team while Illinois, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State 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.
OHIO STATE PICKED TO FINISH FOURTH IN THE BIG TEN PRESEASON POLL
The Buckeyes, by a vote of the Big Ten Conference coaches, Ohio State were tabbed to finish fourth in the league. Four-time defending Big Ten champion Penn State was picked to finish first with Wisconsin second and Minnesota third. Following Ohio State, 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 Ohio State. He has a 524-279 record with the Buckeyes and is 290-162 in Big Ten play. His squads have won Big Ten Championships in 1989, 1991 and 1994 and finished tied for second in 2004 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, Ohio State 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 574-321.
OHIO STATE WINS THE ACTIVE ANKLE CHALLENGE
The Buckeyes won three matches last weekend 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 Friday. Ball State, with a 3-2 (26-30, 30-23, 30-24, 25-30, 15-13) victory over Maine completed the first round. The Buckeyes started Saturday’s second round with a 3-0 (30-12, 30-19, 30-19) win over Maine. Southwest Missouri State defeated Ball State, 3-2 (30-22, 30-23, 23-30, 27-30, 15-13) to complete the second round. Southwest Missouri State 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 Ball State. Ohio State’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 Southeast Missouri State, Lindsay Allman from Maine and Alyssa Rio from Ball State.
MEET THE BUCKEYES
#1 Laura Kastein (Libero/Defensive Specialist, 5-7, Jr., Marysville, Ohio) 2007 (Junior Season) Played in four matches, starting as a defensive specialist against Southeast Missouri State … recorded an ace serve against Southeast Missouri State and at Illinois State. 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) Played in two matches. 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 seven matches starting in four on the outside and one at libero … had six digs as the starting libero at Illinois State … career-high seven kills against Youngstown State … double-figure digs against Maine (12) and Ball State (10) … two assist blocks against Pacific and Youngstown State. 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 three matches with one start … recorded an assist, an ace serve and six digs against Youngstown State. Apple Valley High School Played libero for four year 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 seventh in points with 1,725.5 … third in points per game at 4.71 … sixth in kills with 1,429 … fourth in kills per game at 3.90 … eighth in hitting percentage at .296 … tenth in solo blocks with 46 … fifth in assist blocks with 331 … eighth in total blocks with 377 (46-331) … fourth in blocks per game at 1.03. 2007 (Senior Season) Started seven matches … season high of 17 kills against Southeast Missouri State … season high of 14 digs at Illinois State … double-figure kills in seven matches … 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. 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 17th in hitting percentage at .246 … ranks 17th in aces per game at .26 … eighth in digs with 1,146 … ranks second in digs per game at 3.19. 2007 (Senior Season) Started six matches at libero and one at outside hitter … had 12 kills (.579), 13 digs, an ace serve and an assist block at Illinois State … season-high 15 digs at Ball 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 sixth in hitting percentage at .303 … eighth in assists with 1,350 … 12th in assists per game at 3.73 … 12th in solo blocks with 43 … eighth in assist blocks with 272 … ninth in total blocks with 315 (43-272) … 12th in blocks per game at .87. 2007 (5th year/Senior eligibility) Started seven matches … double-figure kills in six matches with a season-high 15 kills against Southeast Missouri State and at Illinois State … season-high 10 digs at Illinois State … season-high two solo blocks against Pacific … 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 one match. 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 three matches with one start … had a career-high 29 assists against Illinois State … career-high three assist blocks against Illinois State. 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 seven matches with five 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 six total blocks at Illinois State with a two solos and four assists. 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 seven matches with six starts … career-high 51 assists against Southeast Missouri State … career-high 10 digs at Ball State … 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 play’ 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 five matches with two starts … season-high 10 kills against Pacific … season-high three aces against Maine … 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-twenty 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 seven matches … career-highs of 14 kills, three aces, 14 digs, four assist blocks and 19 points against Youngstown State … 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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