2007 Marauders Volleyball
2007 U-Mary Volleyball Prospectus (PDF)
Since winning a conference championship three years ago, change has become a constant for Marauders volleyball. Since the 2004 championship, the University of Mary began a move to NCAA Division II and into the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
In 2005, the Marauders were without a conference and postseason opportunities. Last year, head coach Heidi Sunderland and the Marauders found themselves competing in one of the top conferences in the nation, as three NSIC were ranked in the nation’s top 25 ranked teams and qualified for the NCAA tournament.
Now the Marauders face another new challenge. In the summer of 2007, the NCAA granted U-Mary active membership status, allowing the Marauders to compete in postseason play two years earlier than expected.
“We feel we can compete in the Northern Sun,” said Sunderland, who enters her eighth season at the U-Mary helm. “Competing in this conference last year gave us a confidence boost. We’re not uncertain anymore. The athletes and the speed of the game is far above what we faced in the past. All of a sudden we’re regularly facing outside hitters that can attack a ball ten feet in the air and hit over our blocks. Now knowing the caliber of athletes and programs at this level has helped get us prepared and motivated us for this season.
“Now being able to go qualify for post-season play is a real plus for us. It was really Christmas in July when we received the news. Last year was tough when we finished strong enough to make the conference tournament but then seeing another team go in our place since we were still on provisional status.”
The Marauders return four starters and nine letter winners. Seniors Tatiani Santos (Sao Paulo, Brasil), Ashley Maas (Rapid City, SD) and Makenzie Hennessy (Berthold, ND) and sophomore Katie Hogan (Rapid City, SD) return to provide stability to the starting lineup.
A middle hitter, Santos earned all-NSIC honorable mention honors last season after she paced the Marauders with a .221 hitting percentage and .73 blocks per game while adding 2.7 kills per game. Maas, the first Marauders volleyball player to win NSIC Player of the Week honors, led the offensive attack with 2.94 kills/game and also averaging 3.82 digs/game.
Even with all the returning veterans, the Marauders will be a young team. The team will add 11 newcomers, several who will contribute immediately. The biggest change occurs at setter, as both U-Mary setters from last season graduated.
“Any time you have to replace your setter, your offense is going to change,” said Sunderland. “The toughest adjustment is losing the four years of experience both Isabella Ferreira and Tia Elzenga had in our program. However, I think we have two qualified setters coming in that will help us elevate our game.
“We have pretty good veterans in Ashley and Tatiani, who will provide us stability. We’re going to build on young players around our upperclassmen. Youth isn’t always bad. Sometimes it allows you to just go out and play.
“Our strength is our youth. We’re young, motivated and never been here before.”
Here’s a position by position look at the 2007 Marauders, featuring comments from head coach Heidi Sunderland.
FRONT LINE: Much of the Marauders returning experience is up front. Outside hitters Ashley Maas and Katie Hogan and middle hitter Tatiani Santos are returning starters. On the right side, senior Ashley McCarty (York, ND) and sophomore Leah Wesoloski (Williston, ND) gained valuable experience last season. Four freshmen are also in the mix. While young, Alison Christian (Hazen, ND), Courtney Fettig (Bismarck, ND) and Laci Murtha (Hutchinson, MN) all have an opportunity in the middle and Amanda Hennessy (Williston, ND) will see time on the outside.
“Offensively this season, we have the ability to run a 5-1 vs. the 6-2 we ran before,” said Sunderland. “We have more options up front than in the past and more size. I expect our outsides to be the most consistent for us, since that’s where we have the most experience. Last year, our middles were our go-to players, but we had more consistency outside.
“Maas will be consistent and Santos is strong in the middle. Wesoloski came on strong in spring ball and can provide blocking and an attack. She just needs to realize what she can do.
“We have lots of possible combinations, but also a lot of question marks. As coaches, we just need to be brave and take some chances.”
SETTER: While the setter position may be the least experienced position on the team, don’t make the assumption that it will be a weak link. Two freshmen – Kristin Collins (Whitby, OT, Canada) and Anna Silha (St. Paul, MN) - and sophomore Kelsey Hennessy (Berthold, ND) all may have the opportunity to run the offense.
“The setter is the quarterback, the leader, and needs to get what we need done on the court,” said Sunderland. “We won’t recruit a setter who can’t lead. You need a confident person to establish the offense and the pace.
“Kristin Collins was the top setter we recruited. She plays taller than her 5-foot-8 height and can do some things with the ball, including playing above the net, that we haven’t been able to do before.”
DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST: Senior Makenzie Hennessy (Berthold, ND) returns to fill the role of Libero role as the Marauders primary defensive player for the second consecutive year. Last season, Hennessy led the Marauders with 4.92 digs per game. The rest of the back row will be young. Hennessy’s sister Kelsey is a sophomore who saw limited action in 2006. Two freshmen, Kendra Hobbs (Oakdale, MN), who played on the number one club team in the Twin Cities, and Christy Gabrielson (Flasher, ND) will also see action in the back row. Even with the youth, expect the Marauders to be a better passing team this season.
“To play in the back row, you must be able to pass,” said Sunderland. “We weren’t consistent with our passes last year and it limited our offense. The setter needs to get the ball in position to distribute the ball. If the setter is forced outside, she might only be able to get the ball to the outside players. Passing is crucial to our success and we have some kids who can get this done.”
Head Coach
Heidi Sunderland
Phone: (701) 355-8250
e-mail: hsunde@umary.edu
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