Inside This Issue - Penn State Womens`s Volleyball Booster Club

October 2001
Inside This Issue:
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The Freshman Class
A National Tragedy
Annual Banquet Information
Volleyball Internet Sites
Upcoming Events
Kid’s Club Update
Upcoming Television and Radio
Broadcasts
Club Survey
An Editorial: National
Tragedy Affects Everyone
By Daryl Hoffman
Volume 3 Number 3
accident in 1986. It is something that will
not leave our minds very soon.
As I awoke that morning trying to overcome
illness I first checked my email. When I
saw the headline from my New York Times
list I could not believe it as real. It must
have been a mistake; but later in my email
list there was yet another reminder that this
was real. From that point on, I joined the
television audience as many of you did.
Hoping for the best, but fearing the worst,
America had been attacked on its own soil!
That afternoon I stayed home with my
children, wondering how to respond to this
event, how to explain why things like this
happen.
One member of the club, Maury Hendler,
was one of our closest members known to be
at “Ground Zero”. His office was located in
2 World Trade Center on that fateful day in
September when terror touched us all.
The Penn State Women’s Volleyball
Booster Club would like to send our deepest
condolences out to those of you who have
lost loved ones in the attacks. We also will
keep you in our thoughts and prayers as we,
as a club, a family, a nation move forward
and continue to promote and grab hold of
the freedom we have here in the United
States of America.
God bless
Daryl
The morning of Tuesday, September 11,
2001 is one that most of us will remember as
our parents remember the assassination of
President John F. Kennedy or as others
remember the space shuttle Challenger
PENN STATE WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL BOOSTER CLUB
October 2001
PO BOX 133, STATE COLLEGE, PA 16804-0133
Relating the Events, Moving
Forward
By Doug O’Neal
And may, in the weeks and months to come,
sports give you something positive to hope
for and believe in this very imperfect world.
May they help you find renewed faith in the
goodness of humanity.
My blessings and good wishes to all friends
and families.
Doug
It's been easy, the last two and a half days,
to talk about the insignificance of sports
compared to our national tragedies. It's also
been easy to talk about how we should
resume the games we play, because the more
we disrupt our lives and society, the more
we give the bad guys what they wanted.
But I'd like to offer a different perspective.
In the times when we most need it, perhaps
sports can help renew our faith. Let me go
back three years: 1998 was one of the worst
times of my life. I'd had to leave my
Postdoctoral research job in Colorado due to
severe clinical depression, and for a while I
wondered whether I'd be able to continue in
the career I've always wanted. It may have
been true that my interest in sports took on
much less importance when a good day
consisted of not wanting to kill myself. But
that autumn, the Penn State Women's
Volleyball Team's run at the national
championship gave me something outside
myself to hope for and believe in. When I
was rooting for my favorite team, none of
my outside problems or life difficulties
seemed to matter for a wonderful couple of
hours.
The current situation is not one of personal
difficulty, but national tragedy. Let us
mourn. But then let us resume the games
that we play -- supporting the eleven groups
of young women to whom this newsletter is
dedicated or wherever else your interest lies,
or those sports you play yourself.
The Freshman Class
By Roger Dietz
ASHLEY NICOLE PEDERSON
An often-overlooked part of any young
athlete’s development is the commitment
that parents must make to support their
children. Ashley’s parents drove her to
practice in Marshall, Minnesota, waited
through practice, and then completed the
three-hour round trip. And they made this
trip three times a week in her sophomore
and junior years, and three times a week in
her senior year -- so from all the Penn State
fans, thank you Mr. and Mrs. Pederson!
PENN STATE WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL BOOSTER CLUB
October 2001
PO BOX 133, STATE COLLEGE, PA 16804-0133
Last year’s recruiting class was large in
number and small in average size. This
year’s class is small in numbers (two
players), but tall in size. Ashley, at 6’ 1’’ or
6’ 2”, is lean of frame. That frame was
molded by playing five-years of high school
varsity volleyball and four years of
basketball As the youngest of five children,
she followed an athletic tradition begun by
her gymnast parents and continued by each
of the children in either volleyball, soccer or
football. Ashley contributed more of her
energy working at the local hospital for
disabled children and actively participating
in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
During her high school years Ashley and her
team finished 8th, 3rd, 1st, and 2nd in the State
Championships. Meanwhile her club team,
South Western Minnesota Juniors, placed
well in the year end results until this year
when they finished 9th. Despite this lower
finish the club sent three players to the
University of Minnesota and one to the
University of Connecticut: Four of the
starting six to Division I schools is rather
outstanding.
Ashley visited State College during her
junior year in high school taking an
unofficial visit since Penn State was the
team she wanted. “ During those high school
years, Penn State was the most recognizable
team in Women’s college volleyball. I
rooted for the likes of Terri Zemaitis and
Christy Cochran and was thrilled when they
won the Championships in Hawaii. Penn
State was the place for me.” She knows that
earning playing time will be difficult but
says “I do not intend to be relegated to the
bench.” She feels that her quick arm and
reliable serving will carry her until her
defensive skills catch up to the competition.
One of the questions that I ask each recruit
is: “Twenty five years from now your
volleyball playing daughter will ask the
interviewer to characterize Mom’s greatest
quality. What would you hope the
interviewer would say?” Ashley mulled her
answer over and finally said “Trustworthy.
Dependable.” Those are qualities vital to
individual and team success.
Syndie Nadeau: That’s Where?
Talented recruits are where you find them.
Despite the concentration of players in big
urban centers recruiters often must travel to
places not easily discovered on maps. Such
is the case with Syndie Nadeau who will be
a freshman this year and a member of the
2001 season volleyball team.
Coach Rose boarded a plane to Dulles and
then to Montreal, Canada and then to
Quebec City, Province of Quebec was just
part of the trip. Next ,he traveled by car,
noting all the Moose Crossing signs to St.
George, south of Quebec City(nearly on the
Maine border). Here in St. George, Syndie
was enrolled in a post high school
curriculum of Mathematics, Chemistry and
Physics. The French tradition of Cegep is
observed in the Province, providing
universities with insights into the academic
potential for college bound students.
PENN STATE WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL BOOSTER CLUB
October 2001
PO BOX 133, STATE COLLEGE, PA 16804-0133
Syndie was completing her third year at St.
George and was a key member of the
volleyball team. The Cegeps have a
Provincial league providing good
competition in athletics.
During the time that Syndie was there the
team was in the top three finishers at the
championships at season end. Syndie had
participated in numerous sports during her
early school years but at about the 8th grade
decided that volleyball was her favorite
sport and concentrated on that during her
remaining secondary school years. Her high
school team compiled an excellent record in
their league placing 2nd in the championship
competitions.
Syndie remarked that when visited by Russ
it was the worst practice of the year and she
was sure he would leave without
demonstrating any interest. This piece of
bad luck was followed by her recruiting visit
to Penn State that was interrupted by storms
at Montreal requiring an overnight and then
a very close connection in Pittsburgh
(demanding a sprint to the check in desk!).
Finally arriving at Penn State late one
afternoon, she had to turn around the next
morning for home. “I had been to Florida
and Colorado State and really looked
forward to this visit. Penn State has an
excellent reputation in my part of Canada so
wanted to get a very good introduction to the
university” Jessica, Emily and Cara were
very hospitable but the time was so short I
did not see much of State College. Needless
to say I was very happy to receive Coach’s
invitation to join the team.”
At 6’1” or 6’2”, Syndie should provide some
hitting and blocking capabilities. She
understands that the Big Ten will challenge
her defensive skills that perhaps were
adequate for the Canadian competition. She
understands what hard work is about.
“Growing up on a farm, my younger brother
and sister and I had chores from our earliest
years all the way through high school.
Working and playing hard are part of my
character.”
Kid’s Club
By Samantha
The Kid’s Club met on September 8th for the
first Clinic. The future players learned the
basics of setting, passing and hitting with the
help from Coach Mike and the players.
After many drills and games, the kids were
treated to pizza and soda to end the day.
“The Spike Zone”
By Daryl Hoffman
On the weekend of October 11, 2001, “The
“Spike Zone” was introduced to the
volleyball fans at Rec Hall. This new
PENN STATE WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL BOOSTER CLUB
October 2001
PO BOX 133, STATE COLLEGE, PA 16804-0133
section is designed to draw the students
together as one body, rooting for the home
team. Each student is provided with a t-shirt
and pom-pom to cheer for the Penn State
Nittany Lions. From initial appearances, the
white t-shirts and the rowdiness of the
students will be a welcome element to Rec
Hall for the remainder of this season.
Coach’s Corner
by Coach Rose
Coach’s Corner will return in the December
issue of the newsletter.
Tabitha Prepares to Serve
North Carolina Highlights
Upcoming Articles
In December’s issue of the Penn State
Women's Volleyball Booster Club News, we
hope to include the following:
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Julie Miller - Bio
Team Captains Reflect on the Season
Rally Scoring: Good or Bad?
Annual Banquet Registration Forms
Zulma Rojas - Bio
Mishka Reaches for a Kill
Reflections of the 2001
Season So Far
After Match Socials are a Hit!
Pop’s Takes His Stroll Between Games!
PENN STATE WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL BOOSTER CLUB
October 2001
PO BOX 133, STATE COLLEGE, PA 16804-0133
Penn State Women’s Volleyball Booster Club News
Copyright 2001
The Penn State Volleyball Booster Club
President:
Vice President:
Treasurer:
Secretary:
Dwight Tothero
Anne Ard
Linda Echard
Shelly Aina
(814) 238-2762
(814) 238-535
(814) 234-7055
(814) 231-1323
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Board Members
Dwight Tothero, President
Anne Ard, Vice President
Linda Echard, Treasurer
Shelly Aina, Secretary
Roger Dietz, Board Member
Charles Haas, Board Member
Mary Ann Haas, Board Member
Andy Moore, Board Member
Lynn Palmer, Board Member
Russ Rose, Coach
Carolyn Tothero, Board Member
Daryl Hoffman, Newsletter Editor
Albert Rozo, Web/Electronic News Coordinator
Sam Weakland, Alumnae Representative
Donna Weigand, Social Co-Chairperson
George Weigand, Social Co-Chairperson
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URL: http://www.vicon.net/~pswvbc/
PENN STATE WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL BOOSTER CLUB
October 2001
PO BOX 133, STATE COLLEGE, PA 16804-0133
October 2001
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LET’S GO LIONS!
PENN STATE WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL BOOSTER CLUB
October 2001
PO BOX 133, STATE COLLEGE, PA 16804-0133