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UU Receives AVCA Team Academic Award
URBANA, Ohio (July 21, 2010) - On Wednesday, the Urbana University volleyball team was announced as a winner of the 2010 AVCA Team Academic Award. The AVCA, or American Volleyball Coaches Assocation, notified Urbana University Head Volleyball Coach Wendy Cromer of her team's achievement of outstanding academic performance during the 2009-10 school year. In order to receive the academic award, a team must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher on a 4.0 scale for both semesters. A record number of teams across all levels of volleyball received the award this year, but just 55 women's teams (27%) in NCAA Division II garnered the accomplishment.
An incredible 11 Blue Knight volleyball players were recently named to the Athletic Director's Spring Honor Roll for maintaining a GPA of 3.25. To view the entire release, visit avca.org.
Blue Knights Sign 7 Recruits for 2010
URBANA, Ohio (June 22, 2010) - Urbana University Head Volleyball Coach Wendy Cromer recently announced the addition of 7 new recruits to the Blue Knight squad. Four incoming freshman join forces with 2 sophomore spring transfers and a junior college transfer from California to compile the 2010 recruiting class. The 7 newcomers will mesh with 8 experienced Blue Knights to continue the volleyball program's recent resurgence.
Hoping to improve on 2009's 16-win season and 9-win turnaround, Coach Cromer is excited about the incoming class, "We have a strong core returning for 2010, and the new additions to the program will fit in nicely. Our program is built on hard work, and the work ethics of our newest student athletes are no different. Each of them is competitive, enthusiastic, coachable, and each strive to get the most out of their gifts."
In addition to the newly signed class, the Blue Knights also have 2 student-athletes who transferred into the program during the spring 2010 term, including Amanda Ingram, a defensive specialist from Washington Senior HS in Washington Court House, and Paige Heistan, an outside hitter from Lima Shawnee HS.
"Amanda is aggressive and she reads the hitters very well. She was able to learn a lot about our defense this past spring and stepped right in filling the void left by two outstanding 2009 graduates, Danielle Miller and Julia Harvat."
Cromer continues, "Paige played against us last season as a freshman and since her transfer to Urbana, she has shown us she will bring a wide variety of shots and smart hitting to the program. She is also a strong blocker and penetrates the net very well. Paige will also work toward filling the shoes of Heather Powers, another 2009 graduate. Those are some pretty big shoes to fill, as are the ones left by Miller and Harvat. The impact each of our 2009 graduates had on the program have been positive and long-lasting, but we are blessed to have each of the new Blue Knights in the program."
Below are the names of the Blue Knights' 5 newest recruits. Click on their names to learn more about each player, including pictures, past accomplishments and thoughts on their futures as Blue Knights!
#5 Allyssa Schimmoeller, Freshman, Defensive Specialist, Lima, Ohio (Senior HS)
#8 Serina Alex, Junior, Middle Hitter, Moreno Valley, California (Canyon Springs HS/San Bernardino Valley College)
#12 Chelsea Winderl, Freshman, Outside Hitter, Columbus, Ohio (Hamilton Local HS)
#17 Liz Maute, Freshman, Outside Hitter/Defensive Specialist, Springfield, Ohio (Shawnee HS)
#22 Stacy Smith, Freshman, Defensive Specialist/Setter, Groveport, Ohio (Groveport Madison HS)
Backpacks for Haiti
URBANA, Ohio (April 5, 2010) - The Urbana University volleyball team is collecting backpacks filled with school supplies and hygiene items for the children of Haiti after the January 12th earthquake devastated the small Caribbean country. The team is working with a nursing student from Haiti, Sonja Burnett, who is able to transport the backpacks to Fort-Jacques, a small village in Haiti. The team has already collected dozens of backpacks filled with supplies, and now, they are challenging their 2010 opponents to do the same to help the the current relief effort in Haiti. The teams' goal is to collect 425 backpacks full of supplies in order to give each individual student in Fort-Jacques a small gift of hope and encouragement.
If you would like to contribute to the cause, please contact Head Volleyball Coach Wendy Cromer at (937) 484-1384 or via email at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Some backpack item suggestions include: toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, wash cloths, shampoo, lotion, dental floss, deodorant, snacks (that can withstand heat), school paper, pencils, pens, pencil sharpeners, folders, notebooks, tissues, small first aid kit, band-aids, and other hygiene items or school supplies.
The UU Volleyball Offseason Report!
Bradner, Lindsay Land on All-Independent Team
Team awards go to Bradner, Miller, John and Vogel
URBANA, Ohio (January 20, 2010) - The Urbana University volleyball team experienced a major resurgence in 2009, winning 9 more matches than the previous season to finish 16-21 behind 2nd year Head Coach Wendy Cromer. Much of the team's improvement could be attributed to the strong play of some talented newcomers. Today, two of those newcomers were named to the NCAA All-Independent Team.
Urbana University's Paula Lindsay (Gahanna, Ohio/Lincoln HS) and Brittney Bradner (Toledo, Ohio/Cardinal Stritch HS) landed on the 2nd Team after leading the Blue Knights in several statistical categories this season.
Lindsay, a freshman outside hitter, missed 8 matches due to an ankle injury, but the first-year star still managed to finish in the top 3 in kills (222), aces (28) and digs per set (2.34). Her 2.24 kills per set tied Bradner for the team lead. During the 8 matches Lindsay missed, the Blue Knights finished 1-7. The team was 15-14 with Lindsay in the lineup. Against Cedarville University, Lindsay had a career-high 19 kills in just 4 sets, as the Blue Knights won for just the 3rd time in 59 meetings with the Yellow Jackets. Her 19 kills are the most ever by a Blue Knight in a 4-set match. Two weeks later, Lindsay served 6 aces, including the game-winner in a 5th set tiebreaker as Urbana defeated Houghton College.
"Paula is a very talented player who made her impact early in the season," explains Coach Cromer. "Her size is deceiving because of her jumping ability. She sees the court well and can put the ball on the floor. Before her ankle injury, she was leading the team in kills and kill efficiency. I believe this is why she was selected."
Bradner, a junior transfer from Owens Community College, was the Blue Knights' best defender at the net this season, earning her a 2nd team nod. She led the team in blocks (122), kills (309), attempts (913), attack percentage (.202), and sets played (138), setting single season school records in blocks, kills and blocks per set. Her 20-kill performance against West Liberty State was the best of the season by a Blue Knight, and she set a single match record for blocks with 9 against Cincinnati Christian. At the Nanook Classic in Fairbanks, Alaska, Bradner was named to the All-Tournament Team against some of the top competition in D-II.
"Brittney stepped right into the program and began to make an impact," says Cromer. "Her competitiveness and willingness to give her all for the team is a driving force in her success. Brittney never shies away from a challenge."
"We are very proud of our team and their accomplishments this season," adds Cromer. "Because of the entire team's effort, Brittney and Paula were able to achieve this recognition."
The Blue Knights also handed out team awards at their banquet this past weekend. Bradner was named Offensive MVP. Senior defensive specialist Danielle Miller (Lancaster, Ohio/Lancaster HS) earned Defensive MVP. Junior outside hitter Adrianne John (Nashport, Ohio/Licking Valley HS) took home the Blue Knight Award, and freshman setter Karla Vogel (Rochester, Ind./Tippecanoe Valley HS) earned the Coach's Award.
"Danielle was third on the team in digs but was selected Defensive MVP by her peers because of her ability to always give her best," explains Coach Cromer. "She was sidelined as a junior by a back injury, but as a senior, she fought through the pain. As Dani graduates, we realize just how hard it will be to replace her."
"Adrianne really stepped up her game this year," says Cromer. "She worked harder, she encouraged her teammates, and she always put the team first. There were matches she started and some she didn't. She was willing to not only play middle for us but also right side. Adie was a true 'team player' and I am expecting her to make even more of an impact in 2010."
"Karla is one of our two freshmen setters we brought in this past season. She is a competitor, enthusiastic, and able to tell the team what she needs and what they are going to run offensively. As the season progressed, she really developed the ability to freeze a defense," added Cromer. "She became more aggressive with her attack while running a 5-1 offense, and she is only going to get better. I cannot wait to see what she does in 2010."
Below is the 2009 All-Independent teams. The teams consist of 14 players from 7 NCAA Independent schools from around the nation.
FIRST TEAM ALL-INDEPENDENT
Morgan Machen (King)
Devin Trefz (North Dakota University)
Jennifer Eldridge (Palm Beach Atlantic University)
Whitney Turner (King)
Kayla O'Kelly (North Greenville)
Megan Langseth (North Dakota University)
Kayla Williamson (California State, Bakersfield)
SECOND TEAM ALL-INDEPENDENT
Kristin Carroll (Palm Beach Atlantic University)
Paula Lindsay (Urbana University)
Heidi Luks (Arkansas Fort Smith)
Britta Hanson (North Dakota University)
Brittney Bradner (Urbana University)
Lucia Najselova (Arkansas Fort Smith)
Heather Shulke (Palm Beach Atlantic University)