2009 Volleyball Season in Review

The 2009 volleyball season began and ended with a loss to the Southwestern University Pirates. However, the Lady Crusaders went out playing at the top of their game; they concluded the season by stringing together an eight game win streak, taking home the NEAC Conference Championship and earning a berth in the NCAA Division III National Tournament. The conference championship and the NCAA berth were firsts in University of Dallas volleyball history.

Going into the season, head coach Rachel Hanson and assistant coach Dr. Bob Howard knew that the 2009 edition of Dallas volleyball would be a young and relatively inexperienced group. The team returned just four starters from the previous year's 16-16 team, two juniors and two sophomores. Heading the list of returners were juniors Kelli Fuentes (Rowlett, TX/Rowlett HS) and Celina Farrell (Corinth, TX/Lake Dallas HS), joined by sophomores Danielle Fuchs (St. Charles, MO/Duchesne HS) and Liz Baska (Tonganoxie, KS/Tonganoxie HS).

Star libero and team captain Kelli Fuentes once again anchored the Crusaders' backcourt, providing precision passes for the offense and spectacular digs on the defensive side. The ultimate team player, Fuentes bolstered the team's back row by moving to the middle back defensive position even though that meant sacrificing her own statistics somewhat. Even so, Kelli led the team in digs with 550 and set a new UD career record with 1871 digs, a number that will continue to increase through her senior year.

Other teams recognized Fuente's contributions. She was named MVP of the North Eastern Athletic Conference Championship Tournament and earned first team All-Conference honors. She was also recognized by the Association of DIII Independents (AD3I) earning third team All-Independent honors.

Junior Celina Farrell returned as the starting middle blocker for the third consecutive year. Farrell was once again an imposing blocker, leading the team in total blocks with 124 and block assist with 114. Celina set school records for block assists in a single match (11), total block assists in a season (114), and career block assists (261). Additionally she added 239 kills and hit .186 during the 2009 campaign. She, too, was recognized by the AD3I, earning second team honors.

Rounding out the upper classmen was the team's lone senior, Cortney Anderson (San Antonio, TX/Antonian HS). In her first year starting on the left side Anderson contributed with a solid all-around game while providing a steadying presence to the team and to her teammates.

Heading the talented group of underclassmen were sophomores Danielle Fuchs and Liz Baska. Fuchs demonstrated her team first spirit by moving from middle blocker to the difficult right side position. She adapted well to the right side and showed her versatility by ranking among the team leaders in virtually every category. She was second on the team in kills, kills per game, and hitting percentage (340, 2.54, .201) while also contributing defensively, ranking third in digs (287) and total blocks (0.53 per gm). Danielle's efforts were well recognized as she earned NEAC first team All-Conference honors and was voted to the A3DI third team. She was voted to the Gallaudet All-Tournament team and also selected AD3I Player of the Week one time.

Fellow sophomore Liz Baska moved back into the middle for 2009 and had a stellar year. She led the team in hitting percentage (.267), was third in kills (288) and second in total blocks (87). Her solid play earned her NEAC first team All-Conference honors as well as being named to the AD3I first team, the only UD volleyball player to be so honored.

The team also benefited greatly from the play of two freshmen, 6-0 outside hitter Theresa Wohldmann (Florissant, MO/Nerinx Hall), 5-8 setter Amanda Kitten (Slaton, TX/Lubbock-Cooper).

Wohldmann filled a void at outside hitter and became an impact player for the Crusaders both at the net and on the back row. She led the team with 346 kills and provided strong blocking on the outside. Theresa was the team's number two passer and also ranked second in digs with 394 digs. For her strong work Wohldmann was named the AD3I Rookie of the Year and also made AD3I second team All-Independents. Theresa was selected to the University of Dallas Invitational All-Tournament team and also earned AD3I Player of the Week recognition during that week.

Freshman setter Amanda Kitten played a key role in the team's success with her athletic setting. She directed the team's offense, giving the Crusader hitters good balls to hit and good opportunities to put the ball away. During the season, Kitten recorded a University of Dallas single season record 1127 assists while also recording 235 digs and 50 total blocks. In recognition of her solid play she was awarded NEAC second team All-Conference honors.

Rounding out the 2009 Crusader team was sophomore Jena Thiem (Waterloo, NE/V.J. & Angela Skutt Catholic) and a trio of freshmen, Emily Glick (Dallas, TX/North Hills Prep), Rebecka Ortega (El Paso, TX/Silva Health Magnet) and Emily Urquidi (El Paso, TX/Eastwood H.S.).

Jena Thiem, returning from an injury plagued 2008 season, played in 71 games while serving as the team's backup setter and also helping out in the defensive back row. She is an accurate setter and gave the team solid ball control when called upon. Emily Glick, a quick and aggressive defender, was the team's primary defensive specialist. Although slowed with injuries much of the season, when healthy she was a strong back row presence playing alongside libero Kelli Fuentes.

Rebecka Ortega came to Dallas as a setter and served there as a backup. Around midseason, however, her energetic and aggressive defensive play earned her a valuable role as a backcourt defender. Emily Urquidi, a 5'9" hitter, spent the year as the team's primary backup outside hitter. She played in almost half of the team's games (60) and provided solid play on the left side.

All in all the 2009 volleyball season was a mixed bag for University of Dallas. Certainly no one is satisfied with the overall 19-20 record. Players and coaches alike feel there is more to accomplish. Still there were noteworthy accomplishments earned in 2009, both team and individual.

The team won the NEAC championship and earned a first ever spot in the NCAA National Tournament. Along the way UD players set several match, season and career records. But most importantly, a young team gained experience, confidence and a taste of success that should carry them and the UD volleyball program to even greater heights in 2010 and beyond.