Upperclassmen Will Be Leaders
For 2008 Volleyball Team

By Peter Larson
UWRF Sports Information

Aug. 19, 2008

The UW-River Falls volleyball team has a long and proud tradition of success. In the past 15 years the Falcons have accumulated four WIAC titles, six NCAA Div. III tournament appearances, and 20 or more wins in 13 of the past 15 seasons.

This great tradition made last season’s difficulties all the more trying. The 2007 squad finished with a 8-26 record and an eighth place finish in the highly-competitive WIAC. A sense of optimism and a strong core of returning players aim to improve on last year finish.

There are six upperclassmen, along with a bevy of talented younger players, who look to spark the Falcons through a difficult WIAC schedule.

Patti Ford is entering her 17th season as the head coach of the Falcon boasting an impressive overall record of 402-197. She is one of the most successful coaches in the country and is excited about the potential for the 2008 season. Building on the valuable experience gained through the ups and downs of last year, she believes the team has the opportunity to redefine itself as a contender in the ever-improving WIAC.

“One of the best things about last year was seeing how the team never stopped working hard or learning,” said Ford. “With the return of significant players from last year, and a better understanding of what type of competition they are up against, hopefully we are ready to take the next step and be successful.”

A big part of that hope will rest with the returning upperclassmen. Seniors Drew Hample and Nina Cooper, juniors Justine Speckel, Gina DeRosa , Kelsey Scheele and Andria Vetsch all return for the 2008 season and each player brings a unique energy to the team.

Hample, expected to be a defensive specialist or libero, is a determined player who provides leadership on and off the court.
“We hope to show the underclassmen what Falcon volleyball is all about and what being a true teammate is all about,” said Hample, who had 182 digs last year. “It'll be our job to take the underclassmen under our wings and prepare them and make them better for future years. I would like us to be remembered for showing them that a positive attitude, hard work, and dedication provides great rewards.”

Cooper will compete for an outside hitting position and is a spirited hard worker. She has a gift for bringing the team together, has a great disposition, and enjoys the game.

Speckel’s team-oriented approach challenges her teammates to improve and provides a spark when needed, regardless of her role.

Vetsch and DeRosa provide the team with a strong presence up front. Vetsch, who had 126 kills and 60 blocks in 2007, is a right side player and will be relied upon both as a blocker and hitter. DeRosa leads by example and is, in Ford’s words, “one of the best middle hitters UWRF has had.” She led the Falcons with 142 blocks and she was second with 283 kills last fall.

Scheele brings a great understanding of the game along with her excellent hitting ability. She is a crafty, creative player who gets the job done on the court. Last year Scheele was named to the All-WIAC team as a sophomore.

DeRosa and Scheele have both started since their freshman year, and along with Vetsch they will constitute a major key to the team’s 2008 success. “All of the upperclassmen have shown great leadership and teamwork and will bring that to the court this season,” said DeRosa. They will need to be stable, solid contributors both on and off the court for the Falcons to improve this year.

Regaining the winning form of Falcon volleyball is a priority; however, the realities of rebounding from a difficult 2007 season are not lost on the players. “As a team we were frustrated with last year’s season. This frustration will motivate us to work hard this season to improve on our record,” said Vetsch. “We are very competitive players and want to play at the level that we know we can.”

The players understand there is a great deal of work to do in order to transform their hard work into wins. “We were such a young team last year. I think you can expect us to play like we have more confidence and experience,” said Scheele, who led the Falcons with 445 kills last year. “We need to make the underclassmen feel comfortable but also push them and everyone else on the team so that they feel the need to work hard and strive to get better.”

“In most cases, a successful team needs seasoned veterans and experience and this year’s Falcons will have that experience,” said Ford. “For us to move forward, it’s not going to be one person or one skill set. Everyone has to come to the court putting their best attributes forward.”

2008 Schedule