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Cardinal Roster
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Cardinal Statistics
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Cardinal Schedule
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MIAC Standings
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MIAC Statistics
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National Polls
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| 2005 Record: 7-4 MIAC, 21-10 Overall |
| Upcoming Events: Fri.-Sat., Sept. 2-3: SMU at UW-L Invite, La Crosse, Wis. Tues., Sept. 6: SMU at Luther, 7 p.m. Fri.-Sat., Sept. 9-10: SMU Sugar Loaf Classic |
| This and That: Desiree Larson (Blaine, Minn.) finished with a team-leading 507 digs last season, missing the single-season school record by two digs. … SMU's 21 wins in 2004 equalled its win total of a year ago, and is the most since the Cardinals went 27-8 and qualified for the NCAA Tournament in 2000. … SMU was 13-3 in matches that went three games, and 8-7 in those that lasted four or five games. … In seven of SMU's 10 losses, the Cardinals lost the opening game. … Eight of the Cardinals' 10 losses came against teams ranked in the AVCA Top 25 at one point this season. |
cupboard is anything but bare heading into 2005
WINONA, Minn. — As the parent of a toddler, Saint Mary's University volleyball coach Mike Lester has probably spent his fair share of time reading nursery rhymes to his son, Jaxon.
As he begins preparation for the upcoming season, however, Lester is beginning to feel like he is the main character in one of Mother Goose's famous rhymes.
And while Lester's roster certainly isn't quite as bare as Old Mother Hubbard's cupboard, it is in need of some re-stocking.
Gone are six, four-year regulars in the Cardinal lineup — including all-conference and all-region selections Ashley Dingels and Tessa Stranik.
In their place are 15 returning letterwinners and a group of talented, albeit inexperienced, newcomers.
"When you look at this year's roster, the first thing you notice is that Tessa (Stranik), Ashley (Dingels), Kirstan (Rouzer), Tracy (Koertgen), Katie (Christensen) and Molli (Melton) are missing — and right away you think, 'wow, we've lost a lot,' " said Lester, whose graduated senior class compiled a 73-49 record and qualified for four straight Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournaments during their playing careers. "But what most people don't realize is, despite the loss of those six seniors, we still return players at every position that have started or played significant roles the past year or two."
Players like starting libero Desiree Larson (Blaine, Minn.), and regulars Megan Roesler (St. Paul, Minn.), Lisa Engdahl (North Branch, Minn.), Molli Dant (Forest City, Iowa), and Beth Schubert (Naperville, Ill.).
"It's tough to replace a senior class like we had last year," said Lester, whose team went 21-10 a year ago. "But I like what I've seen from the players we've got returning. They had a great spring and have worked hard over the summer."
Yet, while Lester feels confident that Larson, Roesler, Engdahl & Co. can fill the shoes of those that have graduated, there is one pair of size 7 Nikes unaccounted for — yet.
"We've got one setter — Carolyn Kiefer (New London, Wis.) — on our roster," said Lester, who lost 2,783 assists when Stranik, SMU's three-year starting setter, graduated. "Carolyn has the potential to be a great player and I'm confident she can do the job, it's just a matter of getting her adjusted to the college game."
Sounds a lot like Lester's outlook for the entire season — confident in the Cardinals' potential.
"I'm excited — I think we have the potential to make a run (at the conference championship)," Lester said. "But where we actually finish is anyone's guess — we could finish first, or we could finish sixth or seventh.
"One thing I am sure of," Lester continued. "Is that we are going to have a group of athletes who play hard every single day — and when it comes down to it, that's all you can ask for."