Q&A with Head Coach Mark Rosen
11/21/2001 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
A Weekly Visit with the Michigan Volleyball Head Coach
On taking a trip overseas to play ... "There was actually something in the plans for last year or this year. However, with the financial situation of the department, we decided to hold off and wait for a while. We are trying to do something in the spring of 2003. You really want to have the right kind of team; and that year, Erin Moore and Chantel Reedus would be going into their senior year and Lisa Gamalski and Jennifer Gandolph would be juniors. That would be a good team to take over and get that extra experience.
"Right now, we're looking at Europe. It's the year before the Olympics, so we thought about going to China because of the connection with (assistant coach) Jun Liu. It might be hard to get good competition there because of the preparation for the Olympics. Also, the levels of competition are more diverse in Europe, so we could find the right competition.
"I also think it would be a great cultural experience for the players to see another part of the world. From a competitive standpoint, it would be a great experience to go play some very high level teams with very different styles of play. Each team that has gone to Europe in the last few years have done well in NCAA play after their trip. Last year Colorado State went, and they had a great year. Nebraska went and then won the national championship. More and more teams are going every year. Notre Dame went last year. There is probably 10-15 teams that go each year."
On the seniors ... "I think this is always an emotional time. It's one of those times where the seniors don't want their time to end and we don't necessarily want their time to end either. Right now, we're heading into the last weekend of the Big Ten season, and they are excited about it. They want to go out with a bang, but in the back of their minds, they are emotional because they know it is the last time they get to play. I think these three seniors have all been big contributors to the program in different ways over the last four years.
"Shannon Melka has been a four-year starter as a setter. For our three years here, she has really ran the offense. She's done a great job with it, and it is going to be hard for us to replace her. It's going to be hard for her teammates to see her go, and it's going to be hard for her to separate from that. We're definitely going to miss her, and we appreciate all the things she has done.
"Nicole Kacor has played in a lot of different roles. She started out her freshman year as more of a back row player and then converted into a front row player her sophomore and junior years. She had some big matches and did some really big things. Now, after some injury problems this year, she's been forced into a back row role. She's accepted that role and helped the team compete at a high level. She been a big contributor all four years. I think the thing I like about Nicole the most is that she's grown a lot in the three years we've been here. It's been fun for us to see what she has become, not just in terms of a volleyball player but also as an adult. We're going to miss that.
"Annie Maxwell just adds so much leadership to the team. I use the term social conscience a lot because she is someone who really grounds this team. She has such a great perspective on life, competition and academics. That really helps ground everybody, and that's where she's really served as a leader. Plus, she's really good in the gym everyday. She's the kind of player that comes in and, this sounds corny but, she gives everything she has every single day in practice. A lot of people don't get to see that because they only see us in matches, but she's going hard Monday through Saturday. In every opportunity she gets, she is going to give you everything she has."
On the outlook for the weekend ... "It's two big matches, and it's two that we know are vital for us to continue playing our season. They are also two great matches for us. Indiana is a team we beat in five at their place. It was a tight match, back-and-forth, so we are hoping we can push away from that a bit at our place. They are a good team with some very good individual players. Illinois took it to us pretty good in four at their place, and we want a chance to redeem that. They're playing hotter than anyone in the Big Ten right now. They had a five-game win a few weeks ago over Penn State and have been playing really well. It's going to be a fun weekend, and we're excited about it."
Past Q&A Sessions with Coach Rosen
Contact: Jason Gerdom (734) 763-4423
