Cathedral to replace, not rebuild this year

By RYAN GALVIN

Journal Sports Writer

The 2001 campaign for the New Ulm Cathedral volleyball team will be a "replacement year, not a rebuilding year," as coach Karan Whitmyer put it.

That is true as the Greyhounds need to replace seven players from last years 8-14 squad, including Tessa Hodap, who was All-Tomahawk Conference last year.

To make matters worst, those seven players did the bulk of the playing and only two players return that saw extensive floor time.

Those two players -- Kristin Beranek and Prairie Hady -- will have to really pick up their games and leadership for Cathedral to be competitive.

Hady was one of the team's best hitters last season at the middle hitter position and Whitmyer expects a lot from her this year.

"I'm looking for a real consistant strong leadership type of role," Whitmyer said about Hady.

The veteran coach, Whitmyer is coaching in her 15th season, expects much of the same from Beranek.

"She (Beranek) has got to run the show," she commented.

Beranek is starting her third season on varsity for the Greyhounds at the setter position. She has the most experience on the team at the setter position and will try to help the younger players gain confidence.

"I am trying to return the favor," Beranek said about the help she received from teammates as a younger player.

Jessica Lewis joins Beranek and Hady as the only seniors on the roster. All three will share the captain duties.

Lewis is an outside hitter but Whitmyer said, "She has developed into a full-rotation type of player."

The only other player returning from last year's varsity team is junior Liesl Genelin. Genelin played sparingly at setter last year, but has been switched to outside hitter.

Whitmyer is happy about what she has seen from her new outside hitters -- Mary Hazuka, Melissa Kraus and Danielle Fischer.

"She (Hazuka) has done a nice job in practices and scrimmages," Whitmyer commented on the 6-foot junior. "She gives us a threat on the outside."

There will be friendly competition for positioning on the roster in the other positions.

Nikki Fischer and Kelly Kuehn are fighting for the second setting position.

Amber Franta and Katie Gieseke are doing the same at the outside hitter position.

Cathedral will opens its season Thursday when they travel to Nicollet for a nonconference match.