University of Dallas Volleyball ends historic season
The University of Dallas (UD) volleyball team wrapped up the 2010 season by traveling to Louisville, Ky., to compete in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) Championships, a national tournament for independent colleges and universities. UD finished the tournament, 5-2, which merited third place. Junior right-side hitter Danielle Fuchs (St. Charles, Mo./Duchesne H.S.) earned All-Tournament honors for her fine play in the Championships. The tournament marks the end of one of the best seasons in UD Volleyball history.
The 2010 volleyball team started the season by winning 12 consecutive matches, a new UD record (11 in 2006). UD won the Dallas Invitational and the Hendrix Fall Classic, and continued on to post a 26-11 overall. The 26 wins are the most ever for UD volleyball, eclipsing the previous record of 22 wins in 2002 (22-16). The team finished with a .703 winning percentage, also a UD record topping the previous mark of .667 recorded in 1974.
The UD volleyball team also set several new individual records this year. Senior libero Kelli Fuentes (Rowlett, Texas/Rowlett H.S.) finished her fabulous career holding virtually every defensive record in the UD record book. Kelli is the career leader with 2439 digs, far surpassing the previous record of 1642. Kelli also sets the standard in digs/game, averaging 4.98 for her career along with her season record of 6.67 digs/game, set in 2008. Kelli is also a 12-time member of the prestigious American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) 30-dig club.
Fuchs had another strong year for the Crusaders. Danielle averaged 3.6 kills/game while hitting a solid .264 and picking up 3.09 digs/game in the backcourt. Her 471 kills eclipsed the previous UD single-season record of 462 set in 2004. She now sits atop the career kills board, having knocked down 1114 with still another year to play.
Sophomore outside hitter Theresa Wohldmann (Florissant, Mo./Nerinx Hall H.S.) also surpassed the single-season kill record, setting the new UD record with 479 (3.63/game). Theresa excelled in the backcourt as well. She was one of the team's primary passers and, on the defensive end, picked up 3.32 digs/game on defense and led the team with 65 aces.
Sophomore setter Amanda Kitten (Slaton, Texas/Lubbock-Cooper) had another solid season and set a new single-season assist record with 1396, surpassing her old record of 1127 set last year (2009). Junior middle blocker Liz Baska (Tonganoxie, Kan./Tonganoxie H.S.) had another strong season for the Crusaders. Liz hit .319 (2.29 kills/game) for the season, the first time in several years that a UD hitter has surpassed the .300 hitting percentage mark.
The record season for UD Volleyball was not just about the record setters. The team record and individual records were the result of a total team effort and represent the accomplishments of the entire team. Sophomore defender Emily Glick (Dallas, Texas/North Hills Prep) provided steady passing and digging (2.61 digs/game) on the backcourt, and was the team's second leading server (49 aces). Sophomore outside hitter Emily Meyers (San Jaun Capistrano, Cali./JSerra H.S.) provided additional fire-power at the net (1.51 kills/game) and freshman middle Laura Yokell (Fort Worth, Texas/Home School) was the team's leading blocker (94 blocks). Junior Rachel MacGillivray (Phoenix, Ariz./Veritas Prep) was also a solid contributor, playing primarily in the middle but also filling in on the outside when needed.
So ends one of the best seasons in UD volleyball history. In 2011, the Crusaders move into the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC), one of the top D-III volleyball conferences in the nation. The 201 volleyball team laid a solid foundation, but there is much to be done for UD to be competitive in the SCAC. But with a successful season behind them, the team is looking forward the challenges that lie ahead.