20052005 BBeeararcatscats Senior Maria Pongonis 20052005 OutlookOutlook Young Bearcats Enter New Era In 2005 The University of Cincinnati and its volleyball pro- The Bearcats will have substantial work to do to both offensively and defensively, as well serving as a gram embark on a new journey this year as the get back to the post-season in 2005, as they must re- mentor for UC’s young roster. Bearcats enter their first season of competition in the place three key starters, including the program’s first- In addition to the challenging first season of BIG BIG EAST Conference. The Bearcats will be out to con- ever All-American in Julie DuPont. EAST play, Sunahara and his staff have put together tinue the winning tradition they established during Even with the losses, sixth-year head coach Reed another tough non-conference schedule that includes their decade of membership in Conference USA in the Sunahara likes what he sees with his young squad. eight NCAA Tournament qualifiers from a season ago new league. “It’s no secret that we lost some very talented play- and three squads that finished the year ranked among That tradition runs deep and includes 10 straight ers,” Sunahara says. “But we also have quality play- the top-20 nationally. 20-win seasons, NCAA Tournament berths in five of ers coming back and coupled with the newcomers we “We are extremely excited about the upcoming the last six years and four C-USA regular season or tour- have coming in, I think that we should have our sights season, our first in the BIG EAST,” Sunahara continued. nament championships. set on another successful year.” “In addition to the challenges of a new conference, we The 2004 season was another strong one for the Stepping into a leadership role after DuPont’s have put together a very competitive non-conference 2005 Outlook Bearcats, as they posted a 22-11 record and finished graduation will be senior outside hitter Maria schedule that will test us early on. While we do have a tied for second in the C-USA race. Despite the record, Pongonis. Having been a fixture in the starting line- young team, we feel they are certainly capable of com- UC missed out on a sixth straight NCAA berth. up the past two seasons, Pongonis will be counted on peting against such a quality schedule.” Outside Hitters Senior Maria Pongonis anchors an otherwise The battle after Maldo comes down to a pair of young group at outside hitter that will have huge newcomers in freshmen Lindsey Peterson and Jami shoes to fill with the loss of Julie DuPont, the first two- Torok. UC plucked Peterson from Arlington, Texas time Conference USA Player of the Year in program where she was a High School All-American and one of history. Despite the losses, Sunahara is excited about prepvolleyball.com’s Senior Aces. At 6-0, Peterson has this young, but talented group. the talent to make an immediate impact this fall. Pongonis has been one of the Bearcats’ big guns Torok (6-0) is a local product that signed with the for the past two seasons after transferring from Ohio Bearcats out of McAuley High. Coming from one of State. Pongonis is a dangerous offensive player and the Cincinnati-area’s top programs, Torok was a two- is also an anchor for the Bearcats on defense. Last year, time all-state selection and also helped her school to Pongonis used her outstanding all-around skills to a pair of district championships. rank second on the team in kills (2.90 per game) and With the graduation of Leslie Newell, the Bearcats third in digs (2.67 per game). She also possesses a have a hole to fill at right-side hitter and Jenny Custer dangerous jump serve that allowed her to lead the is the top candidate for the job. A 6-0 sophomore, team with 43 aces last season. Custer played in all but one match last season and After Pongonis, the Bearcats’ cupboard is short on has the ability to be a star. experience, but not on talent. Sophomore Erin Maldo Senior Maria Pongonis gained limited experience last year, playing in a total of 13 matches. Setters The setter position has possibly the most Another year of experience will do nothing but help experience of any time since Sunahara took the reigns. Olson and the Bearcats. In addition to returning starter Noel Olson, the Wisz should also be a factor after being named to Bearcats added University of Rhode Island transfer the Atlantic 10 Conference All-Rookie squad last year. Chelsea Wisz in the off-season to compete for the slot. Just a sophomore, Wisz averaged 11.62 assists per UC started 2004 in a 6-2 alignment, using both game for Rhode Island. Her size (6-0) also makes her Olson, now a junior, and Jenny Custer as setters. The a dangerous offensive threat and her strong defensive squad could go that route again this year as Wisz skills allowed her to record a pair of triple-doubles last started 22 matches for the Rams last year. year. Olson took over the main setting job about a half- Custer has also proven she can handle the setting dozen matches into last season and wound up ranked duties if the top two falter. However, she will be third in Conference USA with 12.35 assists per game. counted on heavily as a right-side hitter. Junior Noel Olson 1818 20052005 OutlookOutlook Middle Blockers The Bearcats are talented, but young in the Nevitt may have the upper hand in the middle, led by the return of two-year starter and battle for the other starting job after learning former conference freshman of the year Myanna from Hellsten and Torblaa last year. An Hellsten. Behind Hellsten, though, are a pair of outstanding leaper, Nevitt, at 6-2, refined her inexperienced players in redshirt freshman Jessie skills with a trip to Argentina over the summer Nevitt and true freshman Jessica Elley. with other college all-stars. Hellsten (6-3) is expected to anchor the middle UC should also get a boost this fall with the after showing steady improvement the last two addition of the 6-3 Elley. An accomplished prep seasons. A junior, Hellsten is one of the squad’s most player, Elley will bring much needed depth to experienced players and is coming off a year in which the inside. At Gilbert High School in Arizona, Elley she was a third team all-conference selection. UC will was a three-time all-state performer and is also 2005 Outlook need more offense from Hellsten with the graduation an accomplished soccer player. loss of Rachel Torblaa. At the net, Hellsten has led the Junior Myanna Hellsten team in blocks each of the last two years. Libero/Defensive Specialist In its fourth season in college in women’s college At 5-8, she brings good size to the backline. volleyball, the libero has proven to be a crucial position UC also boasts a pair of players with the for teams across the country. versatility to contribute on defense when not Like so many other positions, the Bearcats have a playing other spots. Setters Noel Olson and nice blend of youth and experience at the libero spot. Chelsea Wisz both have the skills to help Sophomore Natalie Dossman took the starting spot defensively when not at their natural positions. last year and wound up leading the team with 3.32 The libero is a defensive specialist who can digs per game. Despite being just 5-3, Dossman is a sub in and out of a game without counting fiery, tough competitor that will work hard to keep against a team’s substitution limit, however the her position. player can only play the back line and cannot Dossman can expect a challenge from freshman attack or set. A new rule for last season allows Melissa Zenz. A product of Ursuline Academy in the libero to serve during one of the team’s Cincinnati, Zenz was an all-state performer as a senior. rotations. Sophomore Natalie Dossman Capsule Look at the Bearcats Outside Hitters Setters The middle features a returning starter in Hellsten, plus a Returning Starters: Returning Starter::: pair of rookies. Nevitt redshirted last season and gained Jenny Custer 6-0 So. 0.31 k/g 1.29 d/g Noel Olson 5-7 Jr. 12.35 a/g 1.79 d/g experience playing with a national team in Argentina over Maria Pongonis 6-0 Sr. 2.90 k/g 2.67 d/g Newcomer::: the summer. Elley will also figure in the mix as a true fresh- Other Key Returnee: Chelsea Wisz 6-0 So. 11.62 a/g 2.74 d/g man. Erin Maldo 5-11 So. 0.62 k/g 0.95 d/g UC has the rare luxury of having two experienced setters Newcomers: with Wisz joining the team from Rhode Island. Olson was Libero/Defensive Specialist Lindsey Peterson 6-0 Fr. the team’s starter in 2004 and will be pushed this year by Returning Starter::: Jami Torok 6-0 Fr. the addition of Wisz. Natalie Dossman 5-3 So. 3.32 d/g Losses: Newcomer::: Julie DuPont 4.90 k/g 3.26 d/g Middle Blockers Melissa Zenz 5-8 Fr. Leslie Newell 2.18 k/g 0.71 b/g Returning Starter::: Loss: The Bearcats have an enormous hole to fill with the loss Myanna Hellsten 6-3 Jr. 2.43 k/g 1.35 b/g Lindsey Garrison 2.11 d/g of DuPont, a two-time conference player of the year.