If you didn't get a chance to watch the Division I Volleyball finals, you missed one of the most amazing championship matches of all time. I wish I could take credit for putting together this highlight video, but I can't. It is still enjoyable though and shows some of the great rallies from the match. Penn State made a huge comeback from being down 0-2 to win their 3rd straight national championship and their 102nd straight match. As volleyball continues to evolve and improve, the talent gets deeper across the board, and I'm not sure we'll ever see a team dominate the way Penn State has over the last three years.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Joique Bell Wins Harlon Hill Trophy
Congratulations to Joique Bell, senior running back on the Wayne State football team. Joique is the 2009 Harlon Hill Trophy winner, which is awarded to the top Division II player in the country. It is the Division II equivelent of the Heisman Trophy. He had 29 rushing touchdowns this year, and rushed for 2084 yards, the most in any division in 2009.
Congrats Joique!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
WSU Hosts Fall Letterwinners Reception
DETROIT - The Wayne State Department of Athletics hosted the Fall 2009 First Year Letterwinners Reception on Tuesday evening in the WSU Athletics Hall of Fame Exhibit at the Matthaei Center.
Athletic director Rob Fournier and football alum Scott Fisher (1980-83) addressed the student-athletes who were receiving their first varsity letter at Wayne State. Head coaches Rick Cummins, Phil Nickel, and Paul Winters, along with associate athletic director Jason Clark, were also on hand to present the varsity jackets to the letterwinners.
VOLLEYBALL
Cydney Biessel
Karlene Foisy
Lindsey Graciak
Madie Kent
Kate Sak
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Vollleyball Announces 2010 Recruiting Class
DETROIT - Wayne State University head volleyball coach Phil Nickel has announced that four prospective student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to enroll at WSU next fall and join the volleyball program.
“This change brings mixed emotions for me, personally,” said Nickel. “Sarha Gosselin, Candis Jenich, and Lauren Mallast were my first recruits at Wayne State, and it makes me sad to see them leaving already. But, I am extremely excited about this recruiting class.
“We accomplished everything we set out to achieve with this class. They are athletic, physical, and skilled and expect all four of them to come in and compete for playing time as freshmen. This group, along with our 2009 recruiting class, is going to have a huge influence on where our program goes in the next few years. I am very excited about the future of Wayne State volleyball.”
Middle hitter Nicole Arends, a native of Ravenna, played three years on the varsity volleyball team and was a significant contributor on the state runner-up squad in 2009. She was a two-time first team all-conference and all-area selection, earned all-state honors twice, and served as team captain for two years. She also participated in basketball and track, and was on the honor roll at Ravenna.
A native of LaSalle, Ontario, outside hitter Kristen Bulkiewicz spent four years on the varsity volleyball team at Sandwich Secondary, where she was an all-star and MVP, and was named most dedicated. An athlete with a diversified background, she also participated in basketball, track and field, and badminton, and was a silver medalist in both badminton and the high jump. Bulkiewicz was elected team captain for volleyball and basketball.
Middle blocker Kris Vulaj is due to graduate this spring from Redford Union, where she played four years of volleyball and was a two-time all-conference selection for the Panthers. She served as team captain her senior year and was a 2008 scholar athlete. She also plays AAU volleyball, training with Instant Replay volleyball club for two years.
Amanda Wetherill is a middle blocker from Forest, Ohio, who lettered three years in volleyball at Riverdale, leading the Falcons to consecutive first-place finishes in 2007 and 2008, and second place in 2009. She was a two-time all-conference honoree and a 2009 second team all-district selection, having set single-season school records in 2009 for aces and blocks, as well as the career aces record. The National Honor Society member was also a four-year letterwinner in softball as a first baseman and centerfielder, earning all-conference and all-district honors in 2009.
These four future Warriors will help offset the loss of a five-member senior class which includes Jessica Condeni, Gosselin, Jenich, Meg Leone, and Mallast.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Three Warriors Earn All-GLIAC Volleyball Honors
Gosselin selected to First Team for second straight year
DETROIT - Three Wayne State University volleyball student-athletes received All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference awards for 2009, as announced by the league office Thursday afternoon.
Senior Sarha Gosselin (Harrison Twp., Mich./Warren Lincoln) was selected to the First Team All-GLIAC for the second consecutive season. Senior Lauren Mallast (Chesterfield, Mich./Anchor Bay) claimed her second straight Second Team All-GLIAC honor, and freshman Kate Sak (Warren, Mich./Cousino) was chosen to the Honorable Mention squad.
Gosselin is just the fourth Wayne State volleyball player in history to earn two career First Team selections, and the first since Erin Meyer became a three-time First Team South Division selection in 1997-99. Gosselin entered this week ranked fifth in the GLIAC in kills per set (3.29). The 2008 All-American has 350 kills, 275 digs and 55 blocks this season, and has posted eight double-doubles.
Mallast, whose career statistics put her among the top-10 blockers all-time at Wayne State, came into this week ranked second in the GLIAC and eighth in NCAA Division II with a 1.25 blocks per set average. She is 12th in the conference in hitting percentage and 14th in kills.
Sak is one of only two freshmen to earn All-GLIAC status this season, along with Ashland's Brittany Snider who was named Freshman of the Year. She has the third-best hitting percentage in the conference and ranks seventh in blocking.
DETROIT - Three Wayne State University volleyball student-athletes received All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference awards for 2009, as announced by the league office Thursday afternoon.
Senior Sarha Gosselin (Harrison Twp., Mich./Warren Lincoln) was selected to the First Team All-GLIAC for the second consecutive season. Senior Lauren Mallast (Chesterfield, Mich./Anchor Bay) claimed her second straight Second Team All-GLIAC honor, and freshman Kate Sak (Warren, Mich./Cousino) was chosen to the Honorable Mention squad.
Gosselin is just the fourth Wayne State volleyball player in history to earn two career First Team selections, and the first since Erin Meyer became a three-time First Team South Division selection in 1997-99. Gosselin entered this week ranked fifth in the GLIAC in kills per set (3.29). The 2008 All-American has 350 kills, 275 digs and 55 blocks this season, and has posted eight double-doubles.
Mallast, whose career statistics put her among the top-10 blockers all-time at Wayne State, came into this week ranked second in the GLIAC and eighth in NCAA Division II with a 1.25 blocks per set average. She is 12th in the conference in hitting percentage and 14th in kills.
Sak is one of only two freshmen to earn All-GLIAC status this season, along with Ashland's Brittany Snider who was named Freshman of the Year. She has the third-best hitting percentage in the conference and ranks seventh in blocking.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Warriors compete in largest college volleyball tournament in the nation
GLIAC Retains Asics Crossover Volleyball Title, 24-21
Click here for the 2009 Asics Volleyball Crossover tournament results page
LANSING, Mich. - The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) claimed a 24-21 victory over the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) in the 2009 Asics Volleyball Crossover tournament held at the Aim High Facility in Lansing, Mich.
The tournament, which is the largest NCAA volleyball tournament in the country, was the second ever held between the two NCAA Division II Conferences that reside in the Midwest region. The GLIAC also claimed last year's event by a 27-12 tally.
Leading the way for the GLIAC was Wayne State University, which posted a perfect 3-0 record. The Warriors defeated Northern Kentucky University (3-2), Drury University (3-1), and St. Joseph's College (3-0).
Ashland University, Ferris State University, the University of Findlay, Michigan Technological University, Northern Michigan University, and Saginaw Valley State University each recorded 2-1 marks at the event, helping the GLIAC retain the Asics Crossover trophy.
The GLVC had four teams with perfect slates in the event. Bellarmine University, the University of Indianapolis, Lewis University, and UW-Parkside each went 3-0.
Two future GLIAC members, Lake Erie College (1-2) and Ohio Dominican Univeristy (3-0) also helped in the cause, participating in the tournament for the GLIAC to balance out the 15-member GLVC.
The twelve-member 2009 Asics Crossover All-Tournament team featured six players from each conference. Earning All-Tournament status for the GLIAC were: Ashland freshman outside hitter Brittany Snider (Olmstead Falls, Ohio), Grand Valley State University junior middle blocker Rebeccah Rapin (Saginaw, Mich./Nouvel), Hillsdale College junior libero Sydney Dow (Jonesville, Mich.), Michigan Technological University sophomore outside hitter Kathleen Storm (Hancock, Mich.) Saginaw Valley State senior setter Kait Harris (Essexville, Mich./Garber), and Wayne State senior outside hitter Sarha Gosselin (Harrison Twp., Mich./Warren Lincoln).
The six members of the 2009 Asics Crossover All-Tournament team from the GLVC were: Bellarmine University junior outside hitter Emily Beckman (Louisville, Ky./Male), Lewis University senior outside hitter Stephanie Sagat (Darien, Ill./Hinsdale South), Northern Kentucky Univeristy junior libero Chelsea Clark (Yorktown, Ind./Yorktown), Rockhurst Univeristy sophomore right side hitter Maggie McGovern (Kansas City, Mo./Notre Dame de Scion), University of Indianapolis junior outside hitter Lyndsay Callahan (Chicago, Ill./Marist),UW-Parkside junior setter (Kewaskum, Wis./Kettle Moraine Lutheran).
Click here for the 2009 Asics Volleyball Crossover tournament results page
LANSING, Mich. - The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) claimed a 24-21 victory over the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) in the 2009 Asics Volleyball Crossover tournament held at the Aim High Facility in Lansing, Mich.
The tournament, which is the largest NCAA volleyball tournament in the country, was the second ever held between the two NCAA Division II Conferences that reside in the Midwest region. The GLIAC also claimed last year's event by a 27-12 tally.
Leading the way for the GLIAC was Wayne State University, which posted a perfect 3-0 record. The Warriors defeated Northern Kentucky University (3-2), Drury University (3-1), and St. Joseph's College (3-0).
Ashland University, Ferris State University, the University of Findlay, Michigan Technological University, Northern Michigan University, and Saginaw Valley State University each recorded 2-1 marks at the event, helping the GLIAC retain the Asics Crossover trophy.
The GLVC had four teams with perfect slates in the event. Bellarmine University, the University of Indianapolis, Lewis University, and UW-Parkside each went 3-0.
Two future GLIAC members, Lake Erie College (1-2) and Ohio Dominican Univeristy (3-0) also helped in the cause, participating in the tournament for the GLIAC to balance out the 15-member GLVC.
The twelve-member 2009 Asics Crossover All-Tournament team featured six players from each conference. Earning All-Tournament status for the GLIAC were: Ashland freshman outside hitter Brittany Snider (Olmstead Falls, Ohio), Grand Valley State University junior middle blocker Rebeccah Rapin (Saginaw, Mich./Nouvel), Hillsdale College junior libero Sydney Dow (Jonesville, Mich.), Michigan Technological University sophomore outside hitter Kathleen Storm (Hancock, Mich.) Saginaw Valley State senior setter Kait Harris (Essexville, Mich./Garber), and Wayne State senior outside hitter Sarha Gosselin (Harrison Twp., Mich./Warren Lincoln).
The six members of the 2009 Asics Crossover All-Tournament team from the GLVC were: Bellarmine University junior outside hitter Emily Beckman (Louisville, Ky./Male), Lewis University senior outside hitter Stephanie Sagat (Darien, Ill./Hinsdale South), Northern Kentucky Univeristy junior libero Chelsea Clark (Yorktown, Ind./Yorktown), Rockhurst Univeristy sophomore right side hitter Maggie McGovern (Kansas City, Mo./Notre Dame de Scion), University of Indianapolis junior outside hitter Lyndsay Callahan (Chicago, Ill./Marist),UW-Parkside junior setter (Kewaskum, Wis./Kettle Moraine Lutheran).
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
What happend to summer?
In less than a week, the first Wayne State Volleyball camp will open with two sessions, the Youth Camp in the morning, and the nearly sold out Advanced Camp in the afternoon. After that, there is one week until pre-season practice starts. The summer is officially over for most college volleyball players and coaches the second week of August.
This is a good thing for most people. All of the hard work that was put in during the spring and over the summer will be tested and put to work. The coaches have planned and projected. Like Allen Iverson said, "we're talking about practice." It is what we live for, to be in the gym, banging balls, hitting the floor, and patrolling the net. It's not easy, but I think most people enjoy it. The team bonding, the commraderie, the competition provides lessons that cannot be learned in a classroom.
Everyone should enjoy the couple of weeks that we have left. But, I can't wait to get back in the gym.
Go Warriors!
This is a good thing for most people. All of the hard work that was put in during the spring and over the summer will be tested and put to work. The coaches have planned and projected. Like Allen Iverson said, "we're talking about practice." It is what we live for, to be in the gym, banging balls, hitting the floor, and patrolling the net. It's not easy, but I think most people enjoy it. The team bonding, the commraderie, the competition provides lessons that cannot be learned in a classroom.
Everyone should enjoy the couple of weeks that we have left. But, I can't wait to get back in the gym.
Go Warriors!
Friday, June 19, 2009
Wayne State 11th In Final NACDA Standings
The Wayne State University Department of Athletics placed 11th in the nation (out of 295 schools), the best finish in school history, in the final 2008-09 National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Directors' Cup Standings. The Warriors earned a school-record total of 499 points as nine of the 16 sports participated in their respective NCAA Championships. This places WSU in the top four percent of all NCAA Division II institutions.
"There is no better way to judge the overall competitive strength of an athletic program than through the NACDA rankings," stated WSU Director of Athletics Rob Fournier.
"In that regard, our highest national ranking ever is gratifying and should be a well deserved source of pride for our student-athletes, coaches and staff who deserve the acknowledgment. When you consider this ranking, in combination with our academic record and community service, we have an athletic department that reflects the strengths and prestige of the University."
WSU accumulated 163 points from three spring teams -- men's golf (13th) earned 63 points, softball (tied-for-17th) garnered 50 points, and women's tennis (tied-for-17th) also earned 50 points.
From its four winter sports that qualified for the NCAA Championships, Wayne State received 228 points [90 points in women's swimming and diving based on the squad's second-place finish at the NCAA Championship; the men's swimming and diving squad placed second at the NCAA Championship garnering 90 points; and the fencing teams (men's and women's combined) earned 48 points after finishing 14th at the NCAA Championship].
Wayne State recorded 108 points from the two cross country teams qualifying for the NCAA Championship. Both squads placed 12th each earning 54 points.
The Learfield Sports Directors' Cup was developed as a joint effort between the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and USA Today. Points are awarded based on each institution's finish in up to 14 sports -- seven women's and seven men's.
WSU's best national finish prior to this year came a year ago as the Warriors placed 23rd in the nation in the final 2007-08 NACDA Directors' Cup Standings.
The Warriors eight best finishes ever in the NACDA Directors' Cup standings, which measures the overall performance of athletic programs around the country, have occurred in the last eight years. WSU has jumped 110 places in the standings in the last eight seasons.
"There is no better way to judge the overall competitive strength of an athletic program than through the NACDA rankings," stated WSU Director of Athletics Rob Fournier.
"In that regard, our highest national ranking ever is gratifying and should be a well deserved source of pride for our student-athletes, coaches and staff who deserve the acknowledgment. When you consider this ranking, in combination with our academic record and community service, we have an athletic department that reflects the strengths and prestige of the University."
WSU accumulated 163 points from three spring teams -- men's golf (13th) earned 63 points, softball (tied-for-17th) garnered 50 points, and women's tennis (tied-for-17th) also earned 50 points.
From its four winter sports that qualified for the NCAA Championships, Wayne State received 228 points [90 points in women's swimming and diving based on the squad's second-place finish at the NCAA Championship; the men's swimming and diving squad placed second at the NCAA Championship garnering 90 points; and the fencing teams (men's and women's combined) earned 48 points after finishing 14th at the NCAA Championship].
Wayne State recorded 108 points from the two cross country teams qualifying for the NCAA Championship. Both squads placed 12th each earning 54 points.
The Learfield Sports Directors' Cup was developed as a joint effort between the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and USA Today. Points are awarded based on each institution's finish in up to 14 sports -- seven women's and seven men's.
WSU's best national finish prior to this year came a year ago as the Warriors placed 23rd in the nation in the final 2007-08 NACDA Directors' Cup Standings.
The Warriors eight best finishes ever in the NACDA Directors' Cup standings, which measures the overall performance of athletic programs around the country, have occurred in the last eight years. WSU has jumped 110 places in the standings in the last eight seasons.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Wayne State Announces 2009 Volleyball Schedule
DETROIT - The Wayne State University volleyball program has announced its schedule for the upcoming 2009 season. The Warriors will open their 27-match regular-season campaign August 28-29, hosting their first invitational since the 1997 Tartar Classic.
Wayne State will welcome Slippery Rock, Aquinas, Urbana, and West Liberty State to the Matthaei Athletic Complex for the Warrior Invitational, which will consist of five matches per day. WSU will face Urbana and West Liberty State on August 28.
Aquinas, which went 22-13 last season after posting a 5-30 mark in 2007, and Slippery Rock, coming off a 26-12 year and its fourth consecutive NCAA regional appearance, will meet the Warriors on the second day of competition.
Aquinas, which went 22-13 last season after posting a 5-30 mark in 2007, and Slippery Rock, coming off a 26-12 year and its fourth consecutive NCAA regional appearance, will meet the Warriors on the second day of competition.
For the third time in four years, Wayne State will play in the TownePlace Suites Classic at the University of Findlay. Southern Indiana, which advanced to the Great Lakes Valley Conference title game in 2008 and finished eighth in the nation in blocking average (2.43 B/S), and Minnesota Crookston are lined up to be WSU's opponents on Friday, Sept. 4.
On Sept. 5, Wayne State will battle Saint Joseph's (Ind.) and Missouri-St. Louis. In 2008, UMSL claimed the GLVC West Division title and had a 23-8 record, its first 20-plus win season since 1996.
On Sept. 5, Wayne State will battle Saint Joseph's (Ind.) and Missouri-St. Louis. In 2008, UMSL claimed the GLVC West Division title and had a 23-8 record, its first 20-plus win season since 1996.
The Warriors will play their first five GLIAC matches on the road, beginning Sept. 11-12 at Ferris State and defending conference champion Grand Valley State. The Lakers are coming off a 2008 season in which they advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.
A day trip to GLIAC South Division champion Northwood on Sept. 15 precedes weekend matchups at Hillsdale (Sept. 18) and Findlay (Sept. 19), two teams which Wayne State swept last season, including WSU's 3-1 victory over Hillsdale in the opening round of the GLIAC Tournament.
A day trip to GLIAC South Division champion Northwood on Sept. 15 precedes weekend matchups at Hillsdale (Sept. 18) and Findlay (Sept. 19), two teams which Wayne State swept last season, including WSU's 3-1 victory over Hillsdale in the opening round of the GLIAC Tournament.
Wayne State, which went 7-3 at the Matthaei last year, will welcome Ashland and Tiffin to Detroit for its home-opening weekend Sept. 25-26. The Warriors snapped an 11-match losing skid against the Eagles with a 3-0 win in Detroit last November, while WSU earned two victories over Tiffin, a school it had only played once prior - at the Tartar Classic in 1997.
The Warriors have won four of their last five matches against Lake Superior State, to which they will travel on Oct. 2 before heading to Saginaw Valley State, a squad which was eliminated from both the GLIAC and NCAA Regional finals by GVSU last year.
Northern Michigan and Michigan Tech will come to Detroit on Oct. 9-10. From there, teams from the GLIAC and Great Lakes Valley Conference will clash in the second annual GLIAC/GLVC Crossover, scheduled for Oct. 16-17 in Lansing.
Over the final three weeks of the regular season, Wayne State will host Northwood (Oct. 23), travel to Ashland (Oct. 30) and Tiffin (Oct. 31), and entertain Hillsdale (Nov. 6) and Findlay (Nov. 7).
Northern Michigan and Michigan Tech will come to Detroit on Oct. 9-10. From there, teams from the GLIAC and Great Lakes Valley Conference will clash in the second annual GLIAC/GLVC Crossover, scheduled for Oct. 16-17 in Lansing.
Over the final three weeks of the regular season, Wayne State will host Northwood (Oct. 23), travel to Ashland (Oct. 30) and Tiffin (Oct. 31), and entertain Hillsdale (Nov. 6) and Findlay (Nov. 7).
The GLIAC quarterfinals are slated for Wednesday, Nov. 11, with the semifinals and finals scheduled for Nov. 14-15.
In 2008, Wayne State finished with a 17-12 record, posting the most victories since the 1998 squad won 21 matches a decade prior. In his first season, head coach Phil Nickel guided the Warriors to the GLIAC Tournament for the first time since 2005. The team advanced past the opening round for the first time since 1997.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Nearly 56 Percent Of Student-Athletes Above A 3.00 For Winter 2009
Wayne State University student-athletes had another stellar semester in the classroom during the Winter 2009 term with 55.4 percent of the student-athletes recording at least a 3.00 term grade-point average.
"This underscores what has been an impressive year for the student-athletes and coaches at WSU," stated Wayne State University Athletics Director Rob Fournier.
"When you consider we will finish with our highest ranking ever in the national Directors' Cup standings (NACDA), we volunteered 5,230 hours in the community and the laudatory academic record of the Fall and Winter terms, they can look back with pride and remark, `job well done."
Twenty-one student-athletes, from 11 different sports, recorded perfect 4.00 term gpa.
"This underscores what has been an impressive year for the student-athletes and coaches at WSU," stated Wayne State University Athletics Director Rob Fournier.
"When you consider we will finish with our highest ranking ever in the national Directors' Cup standings (NACDA), we volunteered 5,230 hours in the community and the laudatory academic record of the Fall and Winter terms, they can look back with pride and remark, `job well done."
Twenty-one student-athletes, from 11 different sports, recorded perfect 4.00 term gpa.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Volleyball Announces New Special Camp Prices
The Wayne State Volleyball program is offering an "economic stimulus plan" for their camps this summer to help the young volleyball players of the metro Detroit area.
This limited time offer allows one person to register for the camp at the normal price of $125, and a second person can register for $55. That's $180 for two registrations, or just $90 per camper.
This limited time offer allows one person to register for the camp at the normal price of $125, and a second person can register for $55. That's $180 for two registrations, or just $90 per camper.
To receive this special price, both registrations must be received in the same envelope and it must be postmarked no later than June 15th, 2009. To download a brochure, click HERE. For more information, e-mail Jacqui Gatt at as6236@wayne.edu or call the volleyball office at (313)577-7541.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Volleyball Adds 5 Newcomers for 2009
Wayne State University volleyball coach Phil Nickel signed five student-athletes to National Letters of Intent this past semester to enroll at WSU and join the volleyball team in the fall of 2009.
"I am very excited about this class. We will be better with the addition of these five young ladies," said Nickel. "All five are very talented players, and even more importantly, all five are great people. We look forward to getting them in our gym. Practices will be a lot more competitive and all five will compete for playing time as freshmen."
Cydney Biessel, a native of Ruby, played four years on the varsity volleyball team at Yale High School and consistently led the Bulldogs in sets, assists, aces, and service points. An Honorable Mention All-State selection this season, she was also named league MVP and all-region first team in 2007 and 2008 while leading the Bulldogs to three league titles as well as a district and regional championship in 2006. Biessel, who served as team captain for two years, set a new school record for sets in 2006.
Rochester Hills native Karlene Foisy is set to graduate from Rochester High School next spring. She was a two-year letterwinner for the Falcons, totaling 111 kills and averaging 1.1 blocks per set as a junior. The RHS team captain did not play in 2008, however, due to an injury.
Madie Kent, who was a three-sport athlete (volleyball, basketball, softball) at Grosse Pointe North, holds school volleyball records for kills in a match (37), season (636) and career (1,115). She finished her senior volleyball season with 636 kills and 457 digs, guiding North to a school-record 40 wins and the semifinals of the Class A state tournament. The Grosse Pointe Woods native was a Second Team All-State selection and First Team All-Region, All-District, and All-MAC. On the basketball court, she set the school single-season record for free-throw percentage and helped the Lady Norsemen win their first-ever Class A state championship her junior season.
Kate Sak played four years of varsity volleyball at Warren Cousino High School. A three-time all-county honoree and a 2008 all-region selection, Sak led the Patriots with 352 kills, 176 blocks and a .323 hitting percentage in 2008. She was also the team's statistical leader in 2007 and 2006, a two-time team MVP and three-time all-academic team selection.
A native of Westland, Lindsey Graciak was a two-year volleyball letterwinner at Livonia Churchill. She helped lead the team to a 49-4 record in 2008, a first place finish and a berth in the Class A Final Four. Graciak totaled 749 digs, an average of 5.7 per set which broke the school record. As a junior, she collected 579 digs (4.5 digs/set) as the Chargers also finished first. Graciak was an all-state, all-area, and all-conference selection both seasons in volleyball. She also excelled in basketball, earning all-conference honors as a point guard, and track and field, a two-time state qualifier. An honor roll student, she is due to graduate from Livonia Churchill in June.
"I am very excited about this class. We will be better with the addition of these five young ladies," said Nickel. "All five are very talented players, and even more importantly, all five are great people. We look forward to getting them in our gym. Practices will be a lot more competitive and all five will compete for playing time as freshmen."
Cydney Biessel, a native of Ruby, played four years on the varsity volleyball team at Yale High School and consistently led the Bulldogs in sets, assists, aces, and service points. An Honorable Mention All-State selection this season, she was also named league MVP and all-region first team in 2007 and 2008 while leading the Bulldogs to three league titles as well as a district and regional championship in 2006. Biessel, who served as team captain for two years, set a new school record for sets in 2006.
Rochester Hills native Karlene Foisy is set to graduate from Rochester High School next spring. She was a two-year letterwinner for the Falcons, totaling 111 kills and averaging 1.1 blocks per set as a junior. The RHS team captain did not play in 2008, however, due to an injury.
Madie Kent, who was a three-sport athlete (volleyball, basketball, softball) at Grosse Pointe North, holds school volleyball records for kills in a match (37), season (636) and career (1,115). She finished her senior volleyball season with 636 kills and 457 digs, guiding North to a school-record 40 wins and the semifinals of the Class A state tournament. The Grosse Pointe Woods native was a Second Team All-State selection and First Team All-Region, All-District, and All-MAC. On the basketball court, she set the school single-season record for free-throw percentage and helped the Lady Norsemen win their first-ever Class A state championship her junior season.
Kate Sak played four years of varsity volleyball at Warren Cousino High School. A three-time all-county honoree and a 2008 all-region selection, Sak led the Patriots with 352 kills, 176 blocks and a .323 hitting percentage in 2008. She was also the team's statistical leader in 2007 and 2006, a two-time team MVP and three-time all-academic team selection.
A native of Westland, Lindsey Graciak was a two-year volleyball letterwinner at Livonia Churchill. She helped lead the team to a 49-4 record in 2008, a first place finish and a berth in the Class A Final Four. Graciak totaled 749 digs, an average of 5.7 per set which broke the school record. As a junior, she collected 579 digs (4.5 digs/set) as the Chargers also finished first. Graciak was an all-state, all-area, and all-conference selection both seasons in volleyball. She also excelled in basketball, earning all-conference honors as a point guard, and track and field, a two-time state qualifier. An honor roll student, she is due to graduate from Livonia Churchill in June.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Volleyball Announces 2009 Summer Camp Dates
The Wayne State University volleyball team will host summer camps July 27-30 at the Matthaei Athletic Complex on the WSU campus in Detroit.
A youth camp intended for players in grades 5-8 will be held from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., while an advanced camp for high school players will be from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Head coach Phil Nickel and assistant coach Jacqui Gatt will operate the camps along with members of the WSU volleyball squad, which includes several local club coaches.
Registration is $125 per camper before July 20 and $140 after, and all campers will receive a WSU volleyball t-shirt.
For a copy of the camp brochure, click the link below:
http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/wyst/sports/w-volley/auto_pdf/vbsummercamp09.pdf
A youth camp intended for players in grades 5-8 will be held from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., while an advanced camp for high school players will be from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Head coach Phil Nickel and assistant coach Jacqui Gatt will operate the camps along with members of the WSU volleyball squad, which includes several local club coaches.
Registration is $125 per camper before July 20 and $140 after, and all campers will receive a WSU volleyball t-shirt.
For a copy of the camp brochure, click the link below:
http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/wyst/sports/w-volley/auto_pdf/vbsummercamp09.pdf
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