Texas Tech University Athletics
Volleyball Looks to Stand Tall in '98
June 21, 1999 | Women's Volleyball
July 9, 1998
LUBBOCK, Texas -- Texas Tech's 1997 season was filled with many positive points. Head coach Jeff Nelsons volleyball program proved again that it should be ranked among the top programs in NCAA Division I volleyball. The Red Raiders reached the 20-victory plateau for the third consecutive year, were ranked among the nations top 30 teams all season long and finished the 1997 campaign with a 23-11 overall and 10-10 Big 12 Conference record. The victories included two wins over nationally ranked programs- Texas A&M and Colorado.
The 1998 campaign looks to be even brighter for Texas Tech. The Red Raiders look to be much improved, much more experienced and will show a different look in 1998.
Well be bigger, stronger, more athletic, with greater desire, Nelson said. Its a different look than weve had in the past. Normally, were generally one of the smaller, scrappy teams in the conference but now weve reversed that and have become one of the bigger teams. Its a totally different look from the past three seasons. Now we are a bigger team that has the ability to dominate at the net.
Nine letterwinners and four of the six starters from last years squad return to the Red Raiders. Also returning are five seniors- Kim Breitbach, Lisa Hilgers, Kristen Holmes, Sonia Moric and Natalie Rives- part of Nelsons first recruiting class at Texas Tech. None is more important than the return of senior setter Lisa Hilgers. The Red Raiders sparkplug, earned All Region honors in 1997 along with Honorable Mention All Big 12 Conference honors. Hilgers led the Raiders with a 12.02 assists per game average and broke Texas Tech records for career assists and season digs (442). She also surpassed several career milestones including 1,000 career digs and 4,000 career assists. She is the Raiders leader and defensive ace and is a potential All America honors candidate.
Holmes and Rives return as outside hitters for the Red Raiders. Holmes, a hard working captain and leader, finished last year with 164 kills and 219 digs (2.09 avg.). She will be looked upon as a leader. The lefthanded Rives (65 kills) provided power off the bench last year and will be looked upon to contribute in the coming year. Moric returns to the squad after emerging as the Red Raiders go-to player off the bench as she led the team in blocks per game in 1997. She provided a much needed power and spark off the bench and rallied Texas Tech to several victories last season. Breitbach is the Red Raiders defensive specialist.
Sophomore Janelle Jones will return to the Red Raiders after a stint trying out for USA Volleyball squad. Jones, a 6-foot-3 middle blocker from Denver, Colo., was one of 48 collegiate players to tryout for the USA National Team. That experience will be invaluable when the fall season begins.
Junior outside hitter Courtney Putnam returns to Texas Tech after an outstanding sophomore campaign which saw her break the school match record for kills with 32 against Oklahoma and showed star potential at times. She contributed 306 kills and hit .273 despite suffering a knee injury. Sophomore outside hitter Heather Hughes finished off a stellar freshman season last year as Techs defensive specialist and could see more action on the outside after playing in 118 of TTUs 119 games. Junior outside hitter Pam Osterfeld will also return with a solid year of backup duty.
With so many senior players back, some great newcomers coming in, this is the deepest weve ever been in quality players and the strongest our bench has ever been, Nelson said. Our depth is outstanding. I think well have a lot of determination and leadership. I expect us to be right up there fighting for the conference championship and pushing ourselves farther than weve ever gone before. The leadership and experience of Lisa Hilgers and Kristen Holmes will carry us a long way along with the emergence of Janelle Jones as a premier player. Sonia Morics real improvement and strength that she provided us last year, the addition of Lori Garber, Courtney Putnams return from her knee injury and strong passing from Heather Hughes are some of our other strong points. Weve got some nice things in place to have a lot of success.
Texas Tech will also return several redshirt players including middle blockers Emily Brengman, Kate Jury and Ashley Frogge, outside hitters Elizabeth Hamilton and Jodi Jones and setter Ebony Smith. Each will have an opportunity to contribute.
Texas Tech also added three new players- two transfers and a true freshman. Junior Hawaii transfer Lori Garber is expected to make the most significant impact of the three newcomers. Garber, a 6-3 middle hitter who hails from Manhattan Beach, Calif., played in eight of nationally ranked Hawaiis matches last season. She registered 13 kills last season while fighting illness throughout the season. She is a former All-State and All America player. Joining Garber will be sophomore 5-11 transfer Yolando Cumbess. Cumbess, a Houston native (Jesse J. Jones H.S.) who transferred from Purdue, is a talented athlete with great jumping ability, speed and quickness. She will contribute as a middle blocker or as an outside hitter. Freshman Skydra Orzen, a 5-7 setter from Albuquerque, N.M. signed a National Letter of Intent with the Red Raiders in February and is an All America and All State player. Texas Tech womens basketball standout Crystal Boles has decided to play volleyball. She was an All State volleyball player in high school and could have selected any school in the country to continue her volleyball career.
This is the best recruiting class that weve had since weve been here- both in terms of experience and potential to play right away, Nelson said. Both Lori and Sky having the potential to play right away. Lori played at Hawaii last year and Sky brings us outstanding experience through her club teams. Both are ready to step in and contribute immediately. Yolanda has outstanding potential and Crystal can help us. Last year, we had only one freshman step in and contribute so we see this class as a huge plus. Again all four will be in the mix providing strength and depth.
Position-By-Position Anaylysis
Setter
1997 All Region, Big 12 Conference Honorable Mention selection and three-year starter Lisa Hilgers returns to lead the team in her final season from the setter position. Hilgers has already rewritten the Texas Tech recordbooks as she holds records for career assists, season assists, game assists and season digs. With her final year of college eligibility, Hilgers could break into the NCAAs all-time assists rankings.
Texas Tech also added one new setter in freshman Skydra Orzen (Albuquerque, N.M./West Mesa H.S.). Orzen will see a role as defensive specialist this season while backing up Hilgers. Nelson says that Orzen has all the tools necessary to uphold Texas Techs tradition of outstanding setting.
Redshirt freshman Ebony Smith and sophomore Pam Osterfeld could also see action at setter.
Outside Hitter
The outside hitter positions will be deep and solid. Sophomore Courtney Putnam returns after a stellar 1997 season before she suffered the final month with knee problems. Putnam showed flashes of her brilliant potential last season as she recorded 14 10+ kill games including a 32-kill masterpiece and Texas Tech match recordbreaking performance against Oklahoma. This season, depending on health, she could emerge as a dominant star.
Senior Kristen Holmes also returns to the lineup and will see action at a variety of positions because of her versatility. Lefthanded senior Natalie Rives returns for her final year after coming on strong at the end of the 1997 season. Both Holmes and Rives will play on the right side. Sophomore Pam Osterfeld also returns to provide stability, strength and improved defense. Freshman Purdue transfer Yolanda Cumbess provides outstanding athleticism to the team along with redshirt freshmen Jodi Jones and Elizabeth Hamilton.
Hawaii transfer Lori Garber could see action at right side hitter while sophomore Heather Hughes, who started all 34 matches last year as a freshman defensive specialist, could see action at one of the two positions.
Our season will depend on how our outside hitting develops. Nelson said. To become a great team, you need to have great outside hitters. Courtney Putnam has the ability to put up big numbers for us and shes the person we have that could fit the bill. Her health will be a factor but she can get up high and hit high sets and not very many players can do that.
Middle Blocker
Depth is the watchword at middle blocker as the position will be one of Texas Techs areas of strength with the new 1998 season. Senior Sonia Moric returns to the Raiders after hitting over .300 last season and leading the Red Raiders in blocks. Her emergence throughout last season gave Texas Tech a much needed lift. Sophomore Janelle Jones brings with her height and power along with having been invited to the USA Volleyball National Team trials during the spring. Jones potential is limitless and Nelson looks for Jones to emerge as a star.
In addition, Texas Tech added a talented transfer in junior Lori Garber. Garber played her last three seasons at Hawaii (one year as a redshirt). She ready to play immediately and could earn a starting role. Her addition adds size, blocking ability and talent to an already strong middle blocker contingent.
Were very deep at middle blocker- four or five kids deep, so were hoping that position will be a strength, Nelson says.
Sophomore Emily Brengman along with redshirt freshmen Ashley Frogge and Kate Jury could also factor into the picture.
Defensive Specialist
Two players- senior Kim Breitbach and sophomore Heather Hughes return as defensive specialists. Breitbach came off the bench last year to provide valuable serving and defense while Hughes started all 34 matches as a freshman last year and could also see action at outside hitter.
Freshman setter Skydra Orzen, along with several other players, could see action at defensive specialist.
Preseason Depth Chart
Outside Hitters
Courtney Putnam
Kristen Holmes
Natalie Rives
Pam Osterfeld
Yolanda Cumbess
Crystal Boles
Jodi Jones
Elizabeth Hamilton
Setters
Lisa Hilgers
Skydra Orzen
Ebony Smith
Middle Blockers
Janelle Jones
Sonia Moric
Lori Garber
Emily Brengman
Kate Jury
Ashley Frogge
Right Side Hitters
Natalie Rives
Lori Garber
Kristen Holmes
Defensive Specialists
Heather Hughes
Kim Breitbach
Skydra Orzen
What Texas Tech Loses in 1998
Attacking
47.9% (881 of 1839) of kills
43.8% (313 of 714) of attack errors
46.9% (2188 of 4670) of attack attempts
Passing
4.0% (67 of 1643) of assists
Serving
27.7% (48 of 173) of service aces
30.8% (84 of 272) of service errors
Defense
37.2% (744 of 1997) of digs
62.2% (174 of 279.5) of total blocks
Roster
33% (2 of 6) of starters
18% (2 of 11) of letterwinners
Squad Analysis
Starters Returning (4) Name Ht/Cl/Pos Stats/Awards Lisa Hilgers 5-5/SR/S 121-28-312 (.298); 12.02 apg; 442 digs (3.71 dpg) 1997 All Region, 1997 All Big 12 Hon. Mention, 4-year starter Courtney Putnam 6-1/JR/OH 306-93-780 (.273); 9-62-71 blocks Kristen Holmes 5-9/SR/OH 164-93-490 (.145); 219 digs (2.09 dpg) Heather Hughes 5-10/SO/OH 17-25-84 (.-.095); 33 aces; 231 digs (1.96 dpg)Other Key Players Returning (5) Sonia Moric 6-0/SR/MB 139-51-289 (.304); 14-75-89 blocks Janelle Jones 6-3/SO/MB 120-60-275 (.218); 12-39-51 blocks 1998 USA Volleyball Trials Invitee Natalie Rives 6-0/SR/OH 65-39-180 (.144); 107 digs (1.98 dpg) Pam Osterfeld 5-11/SO/OH 26-11-64 (.234); 74 digs (1.35 dpg) Kim Breitbach 5-5/SR/DS 63 games; 56 digs (0.89 dpg)
Starters Lost (2) Brande Brown 5-10/MB 431-133-945 (.315); 15-95-110 blocks; 301 digs (2.59 dpg) 1997 All Region; 1997 All Big 12 First Team Cristine Martin 5-11/OH 253-107-765 (.191); 283 digs (3.08 dpg)
Key Newcomers (3) Lori Garber 6-3/JR/MB Transfer-Hawaii Yolanda Cumbess 5-11/FR/MB Transfer-Purdue (1997 redshirt) Skydra Orzen 5-7/FR/S Albuquerque, N.M./West Mesa H.S. Crystal Boles 6-2/SR/MB-OH Former Texas Tech Lady Raider basketball player
Texas Tech Notes/Clarifications
Texas Tech has appeared in two of the last three NCAA Volleyball Tournaments ... Texas Tech has been the first Big 12 team to reach the 20-win plateau in each of the last two years ... Jeff Nelson has a .683 winning percentage at Texas Tech (69-32) ... Texas Tech has had three consecutive 20+ winning seasons ... Lisa Hilgers was a 1997 All Region recipient and will be considered for All America honors ... Janelle Jones was one of 48 players selected to attend the 1998 USA Volleyball National Team trials in Colorado Springs this summer.
Speaking With Head Coach Jeff Nelson
On the 1998 schedule and the Big 12 Conference:Certainly, were going to face some of the toughest competition along with the conference schedule. Our schedule is tough- weve got UC Santa Barbara and Oral Roberts in early in tournaments along with BYU, a top-10 team. Theyre going to have a great year this year. Then the conference will be so tough.
On the Big 12 Conference:
It will hard to move up in the conference. I think this year is the best year for the conference in terms of depth and strong, quality players. There will be a number of teams up there challenging for the conference title. Night-in and night-out, it will be a real challenge. Our goal is come out and challenge for the title. I think theres five or six schools who have a legitimate shot but Texas is probably the preseason favorite. Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas State and Texas A&M, along with us will all play a factor in what happens. I think Texas Techs going to be right up there doing some good things.
On goals for the 1998 season:
With so many senior players back, some great newcomers coming in, this is the deepest weve ever been in quality players and the strongest our bench has ever been. Our depth is outstanding. I think well have a lot of determination and leadership.
I expect us to be right up there fighting for the conference championship and pushing ourselves farther than weve ever gone before. The leadership and experience of Lisa Hilgers and Kristen Holmes will carry us a long way along with the emergence of Janelle Jones as a premier player. Sonia Morics real improvement and strength that she provided us last year, the addition of Lori Garber, Courtney Putnams return from her knee injury and strong passing from Heather Hughes are some of our other strong points. Weve got some nice things in place to have a lot of success.
This is probably the strongest year the conference will ever have. You can look at finishing fifth or sixth and still have a great year but we look at being in the top three or four fighting for the conference title and doing everything we can to be there. The NCAA Tournament is an expectation for us. We expect to be there every year, its more than a goal, its an expectation. We look for some of our numbers to go up on our players.
On the new look Red Raiders (strengths and weaknesses):
Adding the size weve got- Lori Garber, Crystal Boles and Yolanda Cumbess along with Janelle Jones. Weve always been one of the smallest teams and now all of a sudden, well be one of the biggest teams. Well probably feature two different lineups. Well have a strong, size dominated, powerful lineup and then well have a ball control lineup. Against different teams, well have to do different things. Certainly the question marks are left side hitting.
If Courtney Putnam returns from her injury that will be a huge impact to our team. For us to be a top-20 team you need to have a consistent terminator out there and shes capable of filling that role. Offensively well be very strong- weve got some good arms in Courtney Putnam, Natalie Rives, Janelle Jones, Lori Garber and Sonia Moric- they all have real strong arms. Well be strong on offense, thats why were going to work on improving our defense and blocking to score more points and also serving. Serving will be a great area for us. Well have two players out there jump serving- Natalie and Kristen, but I think well be one of the toughest serving teams in the country this year.
Theres a lot of confidence in our players. I think theyre doing the right things to get where they want to be. Our senior leadership will be a strength. All five of them have proved themselves in the past and it will be interesting to see how they step up and answer the call.
On the season and building tradition at Texas Tech:
We base things on work ethic. Games are mirror of how you practice and prepare. That will mirror what we do on the floor. With five seniors, we need to have fun. This needs to be a fun year for everyone. Thats another of my personal goals for the season- to have fun. Another thing were working on is establishing a tradition and the way you build that is through consistent, hard work. That builds tradition. With the new arena coming, we are just starting to develop what is a really great fortune and great tradition. The programs really starting to come together and were excited to see it develop. Everythings in place for us to have a lot of success. Its our last year in the Coliseum, we have a lot of things to really go after it.
On the losses of 1997 seniors Brande Brown and Cristine Martin:
Brande was a unique player did a lot of good things and Cristine was very experienced. Brande was so explosive at the net and kept people on their toes. Well miss those qualities from both players but well be bigger and stronger this year.
On the teams depth:
This is the best depth weve had in years. Weve got 10-11 players who are really ready to play and we dont lose our level of play when we put them in there. Were deep at all the front positions and well be flexible.
On Janelle Jones USA Volleyball experience:
The USA Volleyball experience helped Janelle as far as realizing what she can really do. Hopefully, it opened her eyes to some things. I think she understands that she can be a big-time player. I think she expects to do something more this year. She felt she did a good job at the trials and hopefully that will help her down the road.
