Central Michigan University Athletics
Chippewa Volleyball Ready For Challenges In 2004
7/24/2003 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
July 24, 2003
The Central Michigan University volleyball team has been under contruction and working on its building phase. The contractor, head coach Elaine Piha, has been molding her team over the past five years and has a strong unit in sight for year number six.
Three seniors lead the group and provide a solid base for an offense that consists of setter Shaleene Glombowski (Marysville), middle hitter Liz Passen (Fishers, Ind.), and outside hitter Melissa Reynolds (Port Huron).
Glombowski had a stellar junior campaign, moving into fifth place in CMU career assists (2846) and second in season assists (1491). She was named the AVCA/Sports Imports Division I National "Player of the Week" for October 15, 2002.
Passen averaged 3.01 kills per game before suffering an ACL tear midway through the season. She also led the team in blocks with 1.19 per game.
Reynolds was solid on the outside averaging 2.29 kills per game.
Glombowski and Passen both underwent knee surgery during the offseason and are ready to come back stronger than ever.
Other returning starters adding to the foundation include libero Ali McCrite (New Albany, Ind./So.), outside hitter Emily Lovejoy (Traverse City/Jr.), and right side hitter Tamara Fant (New Baltimore/So.).
McCrite slid into first place in CMU season digs while ranking third in the Mid-American Conference in digs per game (4.31).
Former MAC all-freshman team member Emily Lovejoy returns as one of the Chippewas top outside hitters.  | |
Lovejoy led the team in kills for the second-straight year with 496 for 3.82 kills per game, also for first on the team.
Fant brought versatility to the structure with well-placed shots and high-powered hits. She averaged 2.20 kills per game in her freshman outing.
But it's the addition to the structure that gives the 2003 volleyball team its selling point.
The freshman class is one of the strongest in Piha's six-year stint.
Four of CMU's 10 freshmen stand at six foot or taller, giving the Chippewas seven players over the six-foot mark.
The freshman carrying the most weight is 6-0 middle hitter Meghan Moore (Elwell). Moore was named "Player of the Year" by the Lansing State Journal, Saginaw News, and Morning Sun. She led Alma High School to the regional finals her senior year and was named "Athlete of the Year" for her junior and senior years. Moore was also an all-state track athlete for four years.
Kristen Buter (Muskegon) and Melanie Klein (Reed City) have taken their respective high school teams to the state finals, while Aislinn Hayes (Haslett) was named to the Lansing State Journal Class B Dream Team.
The 2004 CMU volleyball team is ready to make an impact in the MAC this year. | |
The Chippewas are building on a nine-match improvement from the 2002 season. They finished fourth in the West division with a 13-20 overall, 8-10 MAC record, and advanced to the MAC tournament for the first time since the 2000 season.
CMU was knocked out of competition by the East division leader and championship runner-up, Akron.
Piha says that with a strong middle unit in 2003, CMU should finish higher in the MAC rankings.
"Our middle is a great position for us this year. We're more solid at middle than we've ever been," said Piha. "We have athletic and talented players in that spot so we'll have to wait and see how things work out. I believe they'll be some of the best in the MAC.
"Liz (Passen) is on the comeback trail and there's no doubt that she's physically and mentally on track."
"Liz hits a heavy ball and is has a big presence on the court. She's determined to make her senior year her best year.
"Meghan will surprise people. She blocks well and plays good defense. Her instincts are great which makes up for inexperience."
Feeding the big offense in 2003 is the steel beam on the court in setter Glombowski.
Senior Shaleene Glombowski will provide the team with irreplaceable leadership this season. | |
"Shaleene is a determined leader and is a huge factor in our success," said Piha. "She is a fierce competitor by nature and wants to pass it along to her teammates. This season she will have more freedom and more options in hitters.
"She is tuned in to other teams and their weaknesses and that showed late in last season when the team was battling for a spot in the tournament."
Jaimeson Whitman (Midland/So.) will back up Glombowski at the setting position. "Jaime has good set location and is a solid backup for this fall," said Piha. "She is working on defense, speed, and blocking."
The outside hitting position has the most depth. There are seven Chippewas listed at the outside position.
"Melissa (Reynolds) and Emily (Lovejoy) should set the control and standard at that position," said Piha. "The team will rely on them for ball control and getting into good position to make things happen. Especially with having a freshman in the middle."
Others eyeing the outside position are Buter, Katie Dum (Indianapolis, Indiana/So.), Hayes, Katie Kayga (Ortonville/Jr.), and Layla Gilmore (Ridgeway, Wisconsin/Fr.).
The right side hitters will have more to practice and experiment with this fall. Fant was the only left-handed hitter on the 2002 squad. This fall, Fant is joined by Jesse Miller (Paris/Fr.) who is also a lefty on the right side. JoAnna Ritsema (Charlotte/Fr.) will play the right side, too. First year graduate assistant, Peggy Huls, is left handed and will provide good practice scenarios.
Providing reinforcement for the offense is CMU's defense led by sophomore Ali McCrite (New Albany, Indiana/So). McCrite had an outstanding freshman year and is counted on to set an example for the incoming freshmen.
"Ali will lead the pack as the starting libero," said Piha. "She is a stellar passer and knows what to expect this year. She can provide a competitive nature on the floor and teams up well with Shaleene on the floor. Our new defensive players can learn a lot from Ali."
Mary Ochmanek (Wyandotte/Fr.) and Amanda David (St. Joseph/Fr.) will look for time on defense. Both can score with their serving and will work on jump serving.
All 19 members of the 2003 team are a part of Piha's recruiting efforts.
The Chippewas open the season by hosting the Chippewa Classic for the second straight year on August 29 and 30. The team is competing in tournaments at Xavier, UCF, and Michigan. CMU plays IPFW and Oakland before opening up conference play on September 26 at Akron. The MAC tournament is set for November 18, a week earlier than previous years.
