The 2007 Golden Eagles are most notably different due to the losses of setter Monica Renfrow and outside hitter Jamie Mueller, both of whom have graduated.,”Looking out onto the floor of the Al McGuire Center, it is tough to find familiar faces on the Marquette volleyball team. Even though only a handful of players graduated from the program, this year's lineup will be significantly different.
The 2007 Golden Eagles are most notably different due to the losses of setter Monica Renfrow and outside hitter Jamie Mueller, both of whom graduated.
"The loss of Monica is hard because we don't have the depth now," said head coach Pati Rol.
Renfrow was named to the All Big East second team in 2006 after averaging more than 11 assists per game.
Katie Weidner will take over as setter this season. She averaged more than nine assists per game as the team's starting setter in 2005.
"Monica is a very intense person, very self-driven, and that's why she was always so good," Rolf said. "Katie is more driven by her team and one thing that comes with that is that she really understands her teammates and wants them to be relaxed and have fun, plus she's an incredible setter."
After sitting out 2006 because of an injury, Weidner has noticed a few changes on the squad.
"We're a much bigger team and a much younger team, and we've had good chemistry in the past but this year especially things have really clicked," Weidner said.
The differences between the two setters have been evident to the players as well.
"Monica is a little more aggressive offensively, a little more intense, and Katie brings a little more humor to the court which is what I think we need some times," said senior Kimberly Todd.
Also graduating from the program in 2006 was outside hitter Jamie Mueller, who was an All-Big East first team selection last season, as well as honorable mention All-American. Mueller, Marquette's most experienced player last season, will be replaced by freshman Rabbecka Gonyo.
At 6'4, Gonyo brings size and an ability to block the ball to the Golden Eagles' starting lineup. Gonyo is joined on the outside by junior Ashlee Fisher, a transfer from Kentucky.
Amid all the recent changes, Kimberly Todd stands tall. The 6'2 senior is coming off her best season at Marquette after being named honorable mention All-American last year. Todd stayed busy this summer, playing on the Senior Canadian National Team.
"I think that my defensive skills have gotten a lot better just from being able to play a lot of back row," Todd said. "I had to take on more of a supporting role, so I think that's going to make me a better leader on my team."
It is often the team leader's job to take charge and resolve conflicts among teammates, but this team seems to be under control in that regard.
"In 20 years of coaching this is probably the easiest group in terms of working really well together," Rolf said. "I've had absolutely no conflicts happening, and that's not usual."
After finishing tied for third place in the Big East last year, the pressure is on to improve upon that success. Marquette is 0-1 after falling 3-0 to No. 17 Brigham Young University Friday night in the Hawkeye Challenge.
"I don't think that it's pressure, I just think it's a standard we have that we push towards," Weidner said.
Last week the conference's head coaches picked Marquette to finish fifth in the 2007 Big East Preseason Volleyball Poll.
The ranking has had no effect on how much the Golden Eagles feel they can achieve this season.
"I think if we stay with it and stay healthy we can do very well, of course we're having the conference tournament at home so our goal is to win, we have to win at home," Todd said.
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