By Mike Foley
UWRF Sports Information
The 2003 Falcon volleyball team will serve up eight seniors to its competition. Last year the Falcons shared the WIAC championship with UW-Whitewater, and finished with an 31-8 overall record. After losing to the Warhawks in the conference tournament finals, and missing a bid to the national tournament, these seniors want to make their final season count.

The center of attention will be AVCA second team All-American middle hitter Melissa Tvrdik. She also made the All-WIAC first team after registering 414 kills and a conference-leading .345 hitting percentage. She added 49 aces and 135 digs. Tvrdik also led the team with 17 solo and 133 total blocks last season. She will be hunting for her 1,000th career kill this year.

"Tvrdik will be one of the most dominant players in the nation this year," said Falcon Coach Patti Ford. "She is one of the best middles in Div. III. She’s fast, she’s smart and she works really hard in the middle. People just can’t stop her because she’s so quick."

Four-year starter Krystle Brune also will be a star. The big outside hitter was named to the first All-WIAC team in 2002 and 2001. She slammed 407 kills last season, including her 1,000th career kill. Brune ended the season with a .236 hitting percentage and had 10 solo blocks and 63 total blocks. The six-footer only needs 318 kills to pass Melissa Mattson as the Falcon record holder in career kills.

"I don’t keep track of that stuff, it makes me nervous," said Brune about reaching the record. "I just want to play our game and be a smart hitter. I’m out for the team."

Ford knows opponents will have a tough time defending Brune’s hitting.

"She’s been very solid in her position as a hitter," said Ford. "She hits a heavy ball and she’s big for an outside hitter so a lot of people can’t defend that."

Jennifer Braun’s defensive play landed her a spot on the 2002 All-WIAC defensive team. She led the team in digs with 545 as the libero.

"Jen’s a good court leader," said Ford. "She can potentially play outside hitter for us too. She is small in stature, but she has big hops. She is one of the best jumpers on the team."

As her volleyball career draws to a close this season, Braun will spend some time reflecting about her experiences at UW-River Falls.

"I’m going to remember all the girls who I play with," said Braun. "Most of them have become very close friends. We also have a great coaching staff here. I’ve learned a lot about volleyball and about life."

Two senior setters have their eyes on a starting spot. Erin Oberholtzer and Amy Lundberg both have considerable experience setting for the Falcons. Oberholtzer led the team with 1,204 assists last year. Lundberg, who was the team’s premiere setter in 2001, finished with 173 assists.

"Amy and Erin will fight for the starting setter position," said Ford. "It will be a battle, but they will both get quality time. We are going to lean a little toward Erin because she is a little bit bigger in stature and she has had all of last year to acclimate. We could potentially move to a 6-2 offense to utilize both of them."

Sarah Halvorson will give the Falcons more depth at the outside hitter position. Last year she had 44 kills, 33 aces and 298 digs.

"Sarah has a real knack for the finer parts of volleyball. She probably knows the game better than anybody out there. When it’s a tight game we need her on the court."

Molly Schock, a River Falls native, has played setter and defensive specialist for the Falcons. Last year she led the WIAC in aces per game (.59) and added 232 assists and 255 digs.

"Molly is passionate about playing volleyball," said Ford. "She doesn’t care where she plays. I think we are going to use her in defensive situations and let her use her talents to contribute to the overall success of the team."

Kristin Brandt has recovered from a rolled ankle last year and will add depth to the middle hitter position. Despite the injury she finished with 139 kills and a .213 hitting percentage. She can also block. She had 13 solo and 104 total blocks and led the team in blocks per game (1.09).

"Kristin is going to fight for her position this year and that will make the third middle stronger. That will make our whole team better," said Ford. "We want her to take her game to the next level and I think she will."

Together the seniors could potentially compose an entire team by themselves. Nearly every position on the depth chart is headed by a senior.

"Collectively, they bring a wealth of playing experience," said Ford. "They all play different positions and have all had the chance to hone in on their position and get better throughout their careers."