1999 Jennies Volleyball Preview

How long can Central Missouri State’s domination of MIAA volleyball continue? That’s a question the other MIAA schools have been asking for several years and they haven’t found the answer yet. With the MIAA title string at 17 in a row and with four starters back from last year’s 27-5 team, coach Peggy Martin should feel reasonably comfortable that the dominance can continue through the 1999 season. It almost certainly will enable her to become the first volleyball coach in NCAA Division II history to reach 800 career coaching victories. Already the winningest coach in Division II, she’ll start the 1999 season with 788 career wins.

Second-team All-American Daria McConnell tops the list of Jennies’ returnees and is the only senior on the 1999 squad. She had 484 kills, a .314 hitting percentage and 39 aces – all of which ranked second on the team – and a team-leading 144 total blocks last season.

McConnell is joined by returning junior starters Rhea Griffin and Mandy Feldmann and sophomore starter Janell Mohme. Griffin was second on the team in digs (434), Feldmann was third in total blocks (77) and Mohme was second in total blocks (143).

The primary task facing Martin this season is finding replacements for first-team All-American Sarah Dallas and setter Jaime St. Marie. Dallas, who led the team in kills (514), hitting percentage (.322) and digs (439), became just the third player in Jennies’ history to earn All-America honors three straight years. St. Marie was an all-region selection for the third straight year.

The job of filling Dallas’ position is expected to go to junior transfer Jennifer Withoelder, who was a first-team All-America selection at Jefferson (Mo.) Community College last season. Sophomore Robyn Griffin, Rhea’s sister, was St. Marie’s backup last year and will contend for the starting job. Also expected to be in contention is freshman Natalie Loerch, who was the MVP of the Oklahoma 5A state tournament, leading Tulsa’s Bishop Kelley to the state title and a 53-6-2 record last year.

The Jennies’ other returners from last year’s squad are defensive specialist Katie Grusing, a junior, and sophomore hitters Chris Wallington and Jessica Rehm. After redshirting last season as freshmen, hitters Courtney Hoette and Anna Patterson should give the Jennies additional depth.