Volleyball looks for a return to postseason

The 2003 Pitt volleyball team can be described by one word: experienced.

The Panthers, who… The 2003 Pitt volleyball team can be described by one word: experienced.

The Panthers, who just returned from a two-week exhibition tour in Eastern Europe, return six starters from last year’s squad, including two seniors and two juniors.

“We have everybody back,” head coach Chris Beerman said. “We are a veteran team, and everyone on the roster is experienced at winning.”

But the lone loss for the Panthers was a big one. Setter Carrie Norris, the team’s all-time assist leader, graduated in the spring.

Norris was valued for her leadership as much as her on-court play, but Beerman says that there are plenty of players on his veteran squad that are capable of taking a more vocal role on the team.

“We’ve got leadership by committee,” Beerman said. “Between our large junior class and our returning seniors, we are loaded with leadership.”

Replacing Norris at setter is junior Lindsey Macke, who brings little experience but 18 service aces to the starting lineup. Junior middle hitter Megan Miller, who is a preseason All-Big East selection, returns to the starting lineup after ranking ninth in the NCAA in hitting percentage in 2002 (.400).

Wendy Hattlestad, the 6-foot-3-inch, senior outside hitter for the Panthers, was named as an All-Big East Honorable Mention last season after leading the team with 3.76 kills per game. Sophomore Megan McGrane, the Panthers’ versatile libero, returns for her second year after setting a school record with 496 digs in 2002.

Rounding out the starting seven for the Panthers are junior outside hitter Gini Ullery, sophomore middle hitter Madelyn Egan and senior outside hitter Sarah Rollman.

Rollman had an opportunity to play against some of the top teams in Europe in May, when she was selected by Team USA to play in the 2003 European Spring Cup.

“She had a great experience in Europe,” Beerman said. “She had 17 kills and hit for a .400 percentage against Denmark, and, as a fifth-year senior, she’s just a great athlete.”

Middle hitters April Puzauskas and Jessica McDonald will provide support off the bench. Juniors Abby Fechhelm and Melissa Whaley round out Pitt’s large class of 2005, and sophomore Kim Norris, younger sister of Carrie, returns for her second season.

The lone newcomer for the Panthers is freshman setter Azadeh Boroumand, a much-touted recruit from Alberta, Canada. Boroumand has played for club teams since 1997, and led the nationally ranked Red Deer Queens Volleyball club to the 2001 Western Canada Title.

“She’s a great person,” Beerman said. “Azadeh is a tough competitor and is very charismatic in practice.”

Beerman said that the Panthers, who finished tied for fourth last season and narrowly missed out on the postseason, have one goal: to make the NCAA Tournament.

Standing in their way is an out-of-conference schedule that includes national powerhouses Duke, Texas A’M and Marquette. But Beerman says that playing tough opponents and winning go hand in hand.

“We want to play good teams, because we want to improve as a team,” Beerman said. “Our first six matches are against potential NCAA-caliber teams, and that’s going to help us in December.”

“Miami showed last year that you can make the NCAA Tournament without winning the conference. We have to make the NCAA Tournament, and a tougher schedule will put us in a better position to do that.”