Oh, so close.
Those words rang true for the Marquette women’s volleyball team after losing in the semifinals of the Big East Championship tournament and just missing out on an NCAA Tournament berth in 2010.
The disappointing finish overshadowed a historic season for the program, which went 23-9 (11-3 Big East), setting program records for wins and Big East victories in the process.
“I knew that our team was tournament-caliber, but I also know the greatest determinant is your RPI (Ratings Percentage Index), and the numbers don’t lie,” coach Bond Shymansky said.
The lowest-ranked team in terms of RPI to make the Tournament was No. 46 Mississippi, one spot ahead of No. 47 Marquette.
“We certainly had our opportunities to bolster or protect our RPI, and we dropped a couple matches that we shouldn’t have, but those are good learning curves,” Shymansky added.
The talented roster will return all but two starters, middle hitter Rabecka Gonyo and setter Nikki Klingsporn. Gonyo finished as Marquette’s all-time leader in hitting percentage (.303), and Klingsporn ranked fourth all-time in assists (2,626).
The blow of losing two of the program’s top performers will be lessened by senior outside hitters Ashley Beyer and Ciara Jones, who ranked first and second in kills and points in 2010. Beyer was named to the All-Big East Preseason team, an honor she wants to prove she has earned in 2011.
“It’s a nice reward to get, but I have to prove myself and I’m looking to back it up,” Beyer said. “If I don’t play well, it doesn’t mean anything. I need to play hard for the team and hopefully help other players get those rewards, too.”
One of those players who could earn postseason awards is junior Danielle Carlson, who will move to the middle after spending the past two seasons on the right side. Marquette’s returning qualified leader in hitting percentage (.315) has made a smooth transition this offseason and is expected to fill the void left by Gonyo.
Freshman Lindsey Gosh, sophomore Courtney Mrotek and redshirt junior Holly Mertens will compete for playing time on the right side with Carlson’s move to the middle.
After playing professionally in Spain for one season, Klingsporn will return to Marquette as a student assistant coach, a move that has helped incoming freshman setter Chelsea Haier. She is expected to enter the starting rotation and contribute immediately for the Golden Eagles.
“Some freshmen get days off or weeks off where they’re not required to perform great for their team to win because they’re just freshman,” Shymansky said. “She can’t be one of those. She needs to perform and play like a starter, irrespective of her age.”
A youthful, yet experienced, back row will be led by sophomore defensive specialist Julie Jeziorowski, who led the team with 408 digs in 2010. Sophomore defensive specialists Rachel Stier and Catherine Mayer round out the row, and freshman defensive specialist Jalyn Smith expects to see time in the rotation as well.
“They’re very mature this year,” Jones said of her teammates in the back row. “They learned a lot, and it was good that they got a lot of experience. They’re really strong and are doing a great job.”
The experienced Golden Eagles will face quality non-conference opponents in Northern Iowa and Minnesota, in addition to their competitive Big East slate. But Shymansky expects his team to be ready to fight for a Big East championship and NCAA Tournament berth.
“We have a team that’s truly hungry. They’re not resting on their laurels and they’re not satisfied with ‘almost great,’” he said. “They really want to get after it this year.”