North Carolina State University Athletics
Wolfpack Volleyball Set to Begin Mary Byrne Era
8/7/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 7, 2001
RALEIGH, N.C. - The NC State volleyball team will enter the 2001 season with a fresh approach, a positive outlook and a new beginning under first-year head coach Mary Byrne.
Byrne, who built South Dakota State into a perennial Division II powerhouse, became the sixth head coach in Wolfpack volleyball history when she took over the program in February. Byrne inherited an NC State program that has posted just two winning seasons in the last 12, but begins her tenure undaunted, and for good reason.
In 1993, Byrne took over a South Dakota State team that was struggling, and proceeded to win 175 games in eight years. Her teams never had a losing season, won 20 games each of the last five seasons, and went to the NCAA Division II Tournament three of the last four years.
Her 2000 team was the best in school history, compiling a sensational 29-4 overall record and bringing home a share of South Dakota State's first-ever North Central Conference championship with a 15-3 league mark. Byrne was named conference coach of the year. Her last four teams compiled a won-lost record of 100-31.
Achieving comparable success at NC State will take time and hard work, but hard work is the very core of Byrne's approach to volleyball.
"My coaching philosophy stems from a very basic understanding of a solid work ethic and strong fundamental skills," Byrne says. "I feel that nothing is achieved without hard work, commitment and sacrifice. I believe you need high expectations of yourself and your team in order to achieve success. This is what I will bring to NC State volleyball as we move the program in a positive direction."
To Byrne's way of thinking, reversing the fortunes of the NC State volleyball program should not be a lengthy and painful rebuilding process. Yes, there are many steps yet to be taken, but Byrne heads into her first season expecting to see tangible improvement right away.
"I'm a very competitive person who knows that we have the resources and work ethic to get this program turned around," Byrne says. "We have a strong core of returning players, combined with a very athletic incoming recruiting class, and I believe we'll be a team that develops quickly. We're very anxious to get the season started!"
Team Strengths
Byrne's first NC State team will play to several obvious strengths, most notably:
* Strong leadership. Seniors Alison Kreager and Charece Williams bring intelligence (both are honor students) and experience (Kreager is a three-year starter, Williams a two-year starter) to the game, and will be counted on to provide direction to a very young and largely inexperienced team.
* Positive attitude. During offseason practices this past spring, Byrne worked hard on instilling in the team a positive outlook. As a result, the Wolfpack should exhibit much more enthusiasm, drive and energy as it strives to achieve success in '01 and beyond.
* Excellent serving. Byrne stresses fundamentals, and service should be one of NC State's fundamental strengths. The Wolfpack will look to use its strength in serving to create scoring opportunities this season.
* A very strong and athletic freshman class. At the opposite end of the class spectrum from Kreager and Williams, the Wolfpack will feature four quality freshmen who should contend for significant playing time this season. Lindi Sheppard, Sarah Ensminger, Melanie Rowe and Maya Mapp all are capable of helping the Pack as true freshmen in 2001.
Seniors To Provide The Backbone
Byrne's first NC State team will be built around a pair of standout seniors -- Kreager and Charece Williams.
Kreager, an Academic All-District selection as a junior, possesses a strong all-around game at middle blocker. She led the Pack in hitting percentage and blocks last season, was second in total attempts, and third in kills and digs. She is the type of player who has few weaknesses and helps the team in almost every facet of the game.
"Alison is a mature player who will be counted on to provide solid play in the middle position," Byrne says. "Her quickness is an asset for her position and makes up for what she lacks in size."
Williams is the Wolfpack's big hitter, a phenomenal athlete who can jump high and hit with awe-inspiring force. She led the Wolfpack in kills with 498. Byrne and her staff worked hard this past spring to add finesse and polish to Williams' game, and she should be a much more complete player this fall.
"Charece is the most explosive and dynamic player on the team," Byrne says. "She has an incredible vertical jump and has worked hard this past offseason on a more effective attack."
Underclass Returnees Provide Depth
After Kreager and Williams, there are no certainties regarding NC State's lineup. The Wolfpack does return several players with playing experience, giving the Pack ample depth this season.
In addition to the aforementinoed two seniors, three other regulars return from a year ago -- junior outside hitter Rebecca Anderson, sophomore setter Crystal Shannon, and sophomore defensive specialist Caroline Frede.
Anderson saw action in all but three matches and was on the court for more than three-quarters of the Wolfpack's games a year ago. She is a smart and versatile player who will push for a starting role in 2001.
Shannon and Frede both got their baptism of fire as true freshmen a year ago. Shannon was the starter at the critical setter position most of the season, and the year's experience she gained will serve her well as she competes for a spot in the lineup this season.
Frede saw action in all 31 matches and 120 of 125 games a year ago. She ranked fourth on the team in digs and was second on the squad in service aces. She definitely will contend for a starting role again in 2001.
Senior setter Jackie Stratton played backup to Shannon last season and started four matches. Stratton is the team's most experienced setter, having played two years of junior college volleyball. At right-side hitter, Katie Kost, a junior, backed up departed senior Meredith Price the last two seasons, and should see increased playing time along the front line.
Senior outside hitter Nikki Stemler and sophomore middle blocker Blake Nicholls have limited experience. Stemler has played in 32 matches in her three years in the program, including seven a year ago, while Nicholls saw very limited action in just two matches last season. Both Stemler and Nicholls should be role players in 2001.
Newcomers To Push For Early Playing Time
Despite getting a late start, Byrne and her staff hit the recruiting trail hard in the spring and brought in a four-member class that should pay immediate dividends. Newcomers Lindi Sheppard, Sarah Ensminger, Melanie Rowe and Maya Mapp all are athletic players capable of making contributions early in their careers. Sheppard is a setter, while the other three will play along the front line.
Just how much of an impact the freshmen will have is anyone's guess, but Byrne is certain that this group will serve as an important building block in moving the Wolfpack program forward in coming years.
"I'm very excited about our incoming freshman class," Byrne says. "They all possess strong athleticism and valuable club experience. I have high expectations for this group, and with training and playing experience I feel they will be a solid foundation for the future of our program. Our returning players will be expected to provide strong leadership, which in return will help these younger players make a successful transition to the collegiate game."
Keys To Success
For NC State to achieve success in 2001, the Wolfpack will need improvement in several areas. Most notably, the team needs more consistent play at the setter position and to gain game experience for the younger players on the roster. Kreager and Williams are expected to be in the starting lineup. One thing that is certain is that the team's seven first- and second-year players will have to carry a sizable share of the load.
Byrne hopes to play a more defensive style this season, emphasizing ball control, front-line blocking and backcourt defense. With the exception of outside hitter (Williams) and middle blocker (Kreager), the team lacks experience everywhere on the court, and experience cannot be taught. Adapting to Byrne's new style of play could depend on the performance of several untested players.
Ultimately, the short-term goal for 2001 will be constant and consistent improvement. If that goal is attained, then the first building block will be in place for future championships.
"The road to success will have its highs and lows, but I truly believe that with hard work this program will be headed in the right direction," Byrne says. "The game of volleyball is very exciting, and we want to get Wolfpack fans excited about our team and create an exciting atmosphere in Reynolds Coliseum."
