August 26, 1998
VILLANOVA, Pa. - Having to follow-up history is one of the toughest jobs for a team to do, but the 1998 Villanova volleyball team will have to do just that after the Wildcats posted the program's most successful season ever just one year ago. The 1997 'Cats became the first Villanova team ever to receive an NCAA Tournament berth and were the first-ever Big East Conference school to receive an at-large bid to the "Big Dance".
Despite an off-season of change with the Wildcats losing head coach M.J. Engstrom to the University of Washington and star seniors Stacy Evans and Marisa Davidson to graduation, Villanova still possesses a wealth of talent both young and old and a new leader in first year head coach Heather Hoehn.
"The team had a taste of the NCAA Tournament last year and has established high standards for themselves for the 1998 season," said first year head coach Heather Hoehn. "My job is to assist them in reaching their goals and to help maintain a winning tradition for Villanova Wildcat volleyball."
One of Villanova's greatest strengths comes at the outside hitter position where California natives Megan O'Brien and Elizabeth Jones return for their senior seasons as Villanova co-captains. O'Brien, a 1996 All-Big East second team selection, is back healthy after missing a large portion of last season due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her knee. She tallied over 400 kills in each of her first two seasons and ranks first in school history in digs per game (3.93). Jones, had a stellar season in 1997 and was a key component to the team's first NCAA berth. She finished the season ranked No. 17 in the nation in digs (457), as well as finishing second on the Wildcat team in kills with 329.
With O'Brien going down in the season's 17th game last year, freshman Ruth Ann Blankenheim came on to spell the All-Big East outside hitter. Blankenheim adapted quickly and helped the Wildcats to an 8-2 record in the regular season's final 10 games. She tallied 115 kills in 1997 and ended the season with 184 digs for a 2.6 per game average.
Joining O'Brien and Jones as a Wildcat captain is junior setter Stacey Moline. Moline missed 16 matches in 1997 due a thumb injury, but returned to play in the 'Cats NCAA Tournament game versus Northern Illinois. The Big East's Rookie-of-the-Year in 1996, she currently ranks first in school history in assists per game at 12.93. Despite her injury, Moline none-the-less finished 1997 with 468 assists.
Alongside Moline at the setter position is sophomore Cathy Arnette. Filling in during Moline's absence last season, Arnette was outstanding as she finished first in the Big East in assists for conference matches with 571 and tallied 834 overall assists for a 10.2 average.
With Evans and Davidson gone from the middle blocker position, the Wildcats will have to count on a great deal of youth this season. A starter from the time she stepped foot on the Main Line, sophomore Breen Eddinger will lead Villanova in the middle in 1998. Eddinger was a force last season as a freshman, showing amazing blocking ability as she finished second on the team in blocks with 14 block solos and 70 block assists. In addition, she also contributed 254 kills for a 2.4 per game average.
Next to Eddinger in the middle will be fellow sophomore Tina Zitterich. Struggling early last season, Zitterich made great strides at the end of the year, particularly in Villanova's post-season play. She showed an amazing potential with an outstanding blocking ability, posting nine block assists, in addition to 15 kills and eight digs.
Villanova will have only two freshmen this season, in Jaqueline Fugiel from Roscoe, Ill. and Hononegah High School and Libby Sybilrud from the Marist School in Atlanta, Pa. Fugiel, a first team Northern Illinois All-Conference selection, and Sybilrud, a Georgia State All-Star, will add depth to the middle blocker position for Hoehn.
The Wildcats bench will be led by seniors Kristen Fucci and Felicia Holcomb in 1998, but depth will depend on how quickly the Villanova youth settles into expanded roles. Fucci, a defensive specialist, played in 34 games last season and totaled 24 digs. A transfer from Dakota State, Holcomb battled injuries throughout last season, but will be a major contributor at outside hitter in 1998.
Sophomores Erin Pfotzer and Lisa Trumbull saw limited action last season. With a year of college experience now under their belts, however, each will see a great deal more time in the upcoming 1998 season. Pfotzer can play both the outside hitter and setter position, while Trumbull will add depth for Villanova at outside hitter and rightside.
In addition to achieving their first NCAA Tournament berth in 1997, the Wildcats also broke major ground in Big East Conference play. With a 9-2 record, Villanova posted a second place mark, which ranks as their best-ever conference finish. The 'Cats will again look to turn heads in a tough Big East Conference, and finally unseed powerhouse Notre Dame.
"The volleyball team took an incredible step last year by making an appearance in the NCAA Tournament and we expect to again earn a bid and advance to the later rounds of the tournament," said Hoehn. "In addition to the NCAA's, however, we would like to win the Big East Conference title."
The pre-season is always a crucial time period in the development of a team, but never more so than this coming season. The Wildcats will have to learn not only how to play under a new head coach and a new system of volleyball, but they will also have to learn how to play without leaders Evans and Davidson.
"I don't necessarily feel pressure to return to the tournament, but rather the challenge of filling the vacancies left by three stellar seniors in Stacy Evans, Marisa Davidson and Kris Tomasovic," said Hoehn.
The 1998 season is the beginning of a new era of Villanova volleyball, and it will be up to captains Jones, O'Brien and Moline to ease this transition. Each will have to not only lead on the court as they are accustomed to, but off the court as well.
If the Wildcat captains each play to the form which led to their All-Big East honors two seasons ago and the youth continues to progress, Villanova just may make another run at the NCAA Tournament in 1998.
