The Observer, September 2, 2005
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1
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People who have watched famous volleyball players Misty May and Kerri Walsh defeat their opponents on television might not notice one important detail on their TV screens: both women are very, very tall. As most people know, height dominates volleyball and often is considered to be a prerequisite for achieving success in the sport.
Case's volleyball team had quite a few very tall players last year, but most of them graduated. In fact, the four tallest players on last year's team have departed, leaving this year's team with a lack of experience and a need for a new strategy.
"We're going to emphasize ball control and efficiency on offense while making the opponent adjust to our game plan," said head coach Nelson Wittenmyer.
Losing players to graduation is just one of the many challenges a college coach faces, though. Another is strategizing to beat the competition. This is more daunting for Wittenmyer than for many coaches, since the UAA is a national powerhouse for volleyball. The conference includes the first, third, and fifth ranked teams in the country. Geography has a lot to do with the disparity within the conference.
"Rochester, Carnegie Mellon, Chicago, and ourselves are all located in the same region," said Wittenmyer. "Therefore, we all compete against each other for the best players. Washington, NYU, and Emory are all by themselves and control their own regions."
As a result, the new players will face some stiff competition right away. However, with new arrivals come renewed energy and excitement, and that is what Wittenmyer hopes will spur the team onto some victories this season.
The team does have a few players returning from last season. Among the returnees, Heather Nappi tops the list. The senior received conference honorable mention recognition last season, and Wittenmyer hopes that she'll continue her rise among the upper echelon of players in the UAA by garnering first-team honors this year. Without a doubt, Nappi will be asked to provide a considerable amount of senior leadership for an otherwise young and inexperienced team.
Thankfully, the team will not have to battle for practice facilities this year. With Case hosting the Vice Presidential Debate last fall, the players were nomadic, going anywhere from Adelbert Gym to the Cleveland Clinic to conduct practices while Horsburgh Gym underwent a makeover. This year, the team will truly have a home.
"Being in one place just makes everything so much easier," said Wittenmyer. "We don't have to spend so much time traveling. It also helps us develop a sense of pride. It feels like we have a home, and people can come out to watch us play."
The team will also have more home matches this year, the first against Baldwin Wallace on Sept. 14. The Spartans will then host their own tournament again this year, which will be held Sept. 16-17.
