30 August 2001
CONTACT: Stew Salowitz, 309-556-3206 and/or head coach Kim Nelson-Brown, 309-556-3349

Titan Volleyball Aims for Successful Campaign

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Nine letterwinners bolster the hopes of the 2001 version of the Illinois Wesleyan University volleyball team as they look to improve on their 23-14 record of a year ago.

The Titans open their season at home with matches against Rose Hulman at 11 a.m. and Fontbonne at 1:30 this Saturday (Sept. 1).

"We have a lot of players with diverse talents who are able to play different positions, which will be a key for us this year," said IWU coach Kim Nelson-Brown, whose team was third in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin final standings. "We've been working on implementing a new offense, which the players are open to and have shown they are willing to do whatever it takes to win."

Leading the returning players is junior setter Tiffany Hamblin, a two-time team "Most Valuable Player" and a first team all-CCIW selection last fall.

A Bloomington High School graduate, Hamblin paced the Titans with 1,145 set assists, 54 service aces and 389 defensive digs. She also had 110 kills with a .316 hitting percentage.

"Tiffany makes things happen for us on the court in a positive way," said Nelson-Brown. "She has good instincts and is a leader on and off the court."

Senior co-captain Liz Niemann (Paxton, Paxton-Buckley-Loda HS) returns as an outside hitter along with senior Jennifer Matczak (Naperville, Central HS), while senior Carolyn Nugent (Buffalo Grove, Stevenson HS) will be an all-around threat after playing mostly back row positions last fall.

Last year, Niemann was third on the team with 264 kills and 338 defensive digs and was second with 48 service aces. "Liz came back for her senior season in really good shape and ready to play," Nelson-Brown said. "I expect her to be a big contributor this year."

Matczak had 251 digs last year while Nugent was fourth with 296 digs and accounted for 171 kills.

Juniors Molly Jo Ehlert (Winchester HS) and Julia Socke (Chicago, Resurrection HS) will see increased playing time this fall. "Molly and Julia haven't had a lot of starting experience but have had a lot of playing time in their first two years, which will be valuable to our team this year," said Nelson-Brown.

Also returning is sophomore outside hitter Beth Crowley (Bloomington, Normal West HS), the team's "Most Improved Player" last fall as she had 69 kills with 86 digs in 33 games.

Nelson-Brown's freshman class has been slowed by injury, including a pulled hamstring by 6-foot outside hitter Kathleen Nowicki (Wheeling, Buffalo Grove HS), who is just beginning to play at full speed. Nelson-Brown says freshman setter Keelia Rhoads (Carlinville HS) has made a quick adjustment to the program and could see some varsity playing time.