Boiler team must rebuild leadership

By Keith Thomas
Summer Editor

Purdue volleyball coach Jeff Hulsmeyer hopes raw athletic ability can overcome a leadership-depleted team in improving from a 15-14 season.

Having lost four starters to graduation, Hulsmeyer’s job of improving a Boilermaker squad that had its best season since the 1993 campaign with a new look team won’t be easy.

"I think that whenever you lose that much experience, it’s tough to replace," said Hulsmeyer, "but, I’m excited about the newcomers and

I’m very excited about the incoming freshman," said Hulsmeyer, who is gearing up for his second season as the Boilers’ head coach. "We have some very athletic freshman coming in.

"Athletically, I think we’ll be ok, maybe even better (than last season)," he said.

However, Hulsmeyer said one must be cautious when attempting to analyze the talent of freshmen that have not seen live action in the nation’s best volleyball conference.

"We can see how high they can jump and how fast they are but we can’t see the size of their heart," Hulsmeyer said.

Hulsmeyer’s troops that are already battle tested are few and far between and he said that he hopes the returnees are going to be able to step up and handle the added pressure of losing four seniors.

A lot of the leadership lost will fall on the shoulders of Hulsmeyer’s only two returning starters, senior Julie Doud and junior Maegan Peterson — most of which will be up to Doud, one of only two seniors on this season’s team.

"I really do expect Julie to takeover a lot of the leadership of the team," Hulsmeyer said.

Doud, a 5’10" outside hitter from Chandler, Ariz., said she is looking forward to the challenge of filling the leadership void for this younger team.

"I think to be a good team leader, you must be consistent and encouraging," Doud said. "Sure, there’s extra pressure, because people look up to you a little more, but I like pressure."

Fellow returnee and outside hitter Maegan Peterson, who along with junior Christy Case give Hulsmeyer the most experience at the outsider hitter position, also knows there is going to be more pressure this season if the Boilers are to improve.

"Experience was a big blow, especially in the Big Ten, but the more we work out this summer, the better we get," said Peterson.

"Being one of only two returners, there’s going to be some pressure, but we’ve been working together this summer and I feel comfortable with the newcomers."

Also similar to Doud, Peterson said she enjoys the additional pressure of attempting to guide a young team on the court.

"Because Julie and I do have more experience, we need to step up and lead the team and be there for everybody," Peterson said. "I love pressure. I think I function better under pressure."

Replacing the productivity left by departed standouts Sarah Emke, Connie Paul and Taryn Catlin will add pressure, not only to the rare returning starters, but to the newcomers as well.

Among the newcomers are incoming freshmen Jennifer Bova, Erin Leach, Joanna Lowry, Laura St. John, Lynn Takala and sophomore transfer from Ferris State University, Lisa Chard.

One thing Hulsmeyer is impressed with most about this young group is their early dedication to the upcoming season, which begins Aug. 26 in a match against Purdue Alumni.

"Six of the eight players are on campus right now; playing and lifting weights and preparing for the season," Hulsmeyer said. "Several of them have made the commitment to be here this summer and that’s impressive."

As for the second year coach, Doud and Peterson had nothing but high praise for the Hulsmeyer’s ability as the skipper — something the duo of returners can attest to after being with him for a full season now.

"He is amazing and he is so positive. I am surprised he can always keep his patience," Doud said of her head coach. "I wish I would have had him sooner; we’re all so lucky to have him.