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Red Hawks Look To Continue Tradition
Change has been a common theme for the Ripon volleyball program during the past few years, having had three head coaches in the last three seasons, but the more things change, the more they stay the same. Despite the recent coaching carousel, Ripon has qualified for the Midwest Conference Tournament in six of the last seven seasons, including three in a row, and first-year head coach Becca Carstensen hopes to continue that trend.
"I'm looking for the Ripon volleyball program to continue the tradition of success they have experienced during the past several years," said Carstensen. "Continued success is an expectation that the team has and continuing to make an appearance in the conference tournament is a constant goal of ours."
Carstensen, who is in her first year as a head coach, spent the last two seasons as an assistant at Simpson College, where she gained a tremendous amount of experience that will do nothing but help the Red Hawks become a stronger team. The Eau Claire, Wis. native is back in familiar territory, which will help her transition into the Ripon program.
"This is an environment where the team and program can be successful," said Carstensen. "Working with the players here at Ripon is very exciting and it's a great opportunity. I like challenges and hopefully this is one we can be successful at together."
The Red Hawks lost three key contributors from last year's team (Emily Nichols, Amy Patton and Jeni Yaeger) that finished with a 6-3 record in the Midwest Conference. That shouldn't be a problem however, as the 2009 squad returns plenty of experienced talent.
The talent begins at Libero, where senior Sara Heim (Wabasha, Minn./Wabasha) is on the verge of etching her name atop the Ripon record books. A two-time All-Conference player, Heim needs just 322 digs to break the school record in that category. She is coming off a season that saw her lead the team with 513 digs.
"Sara is an unselfish player who is extremely diligent in her work ethic and has a great desire to improve," Carstensen said. "She does what she has to do in order to become a better player, while also trying to make the team better."
Heim and fellow senior, Christy Looker (Rochester, Minn./Mayo), have both played in all 86 matches for the Red Hawks since stepping onto campus as freshmen. Looker had a great all-around season a year ago, ranking in the top four on the team in kills (120) and total blocks (20).
"Christy has a lot of experience and is a very talented player," Carstensen said. "She is also one of our biggest leaders, doing so both vocally and by example."
Another player that has never missed a match as a Red Hawk is junior Anna Alvin (Beaver Dam, Wis./Beaver Dam), who has led the team in kills both seasons she has been with the team. An All-Conference selection as a freshman, Alvin recorded 228 kills last season, while also adding 17 service aces, 83 digs and ranking second on the team with 70 total blocks.
Libero Ashley Kirst (West Bend, Wis./West Bend East) and setter Alison Ernst (Lemont, Ill./Montini Catholic) are two more juniors that are looking to make an impact on this year's team. Ernst is currently eighth in school history for assists with 858. With another season like last year, when she recorded a team-high 454 assists, she could climb as high as sixth on the career list. Ernst also led the team in service aces with 35, while ranking third in digs (242) and fifth in total blocks (15).
"Alison is very talented, so we're looking for her to improve with each match she plays and hopefully be a big contributor again this season," said Carstensen.
Splitting time with Ernst at the setter position will be sophomore Andrea Zak (Oshkosh, Wis./North), who recorded 238 assists and 220 digs as a freshman. Zak will again be expected to contribute, in an even more expanded role this season.
"Andrea has a lot of potential and she's very coachable, so I know she will continue to improve as well," said Carstensen.
Joining the team this year will be senior Ashley Kaminski (Green Bay, Wis./Bay Port) and freshmen Lisa Aguilar (Wauconda, Ill./Wauconda), Victoria Bernhoft (Milwaukee, Wis./Rufus King), Briana Draeger (Manawa, Wis./Little Wolf), Erin Galow (Oshkosh, Wis./Lourdes) and Arynn Martin (Marshfield, Wis./Columbus Catholic). All the newcomers should expect some playing time and will be counted on to contribute to the team in one way or another.
"The freshmen are very eager to learn and improve their game," Carstensen said. "We're looking for them to improve every day and gain the experience they need so they can become contributors to the program."
All 12 players on this year's team will be in search of one common goal, which is to win the program's first-ever Midwest Conference Championship and earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
"Consistency will be a goal both in practice and games and I hope the girls come together as a team," Carstensen said. "We are a single unit and we need to work within a system to achieve the goals we set for ourselves."
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