Second year head volleyball coach Darin Weber has his rebuilding project on schedule. A year ago, he laid the base, stabilizing The University of South Dakota Coyotes women volleyball program. In 2000, the Coyotes reached the 10-win plateau for the first time since 1988, ended a 47-match losing streak in the North Central Conference by defeating St. Cloud State on the road, while also recording a home conference win by defeating the same St. Cloud State squad. To some, these feats may not appear overly impressive, but for a volleyball program that hasn't experienced much success in recent years, the accomplishments are significant and represent a beginning or a new women's volleyball era at South Dakota.

Weber believes 2000 was successful, although not in wins or losses. While the Coyotes recorded just a 2-16 NCC mark, they won games at Nebraska-Omaha and Northern Colorado, two teams in the upper division of the NCC and nationally ranked during 2000. In addition, the Coyotes set team records in kills, season (1640), kills per game, season (12.91), hitting percentage, season (.199), and assists per game, season (11.27).

As he looks to his second season at USD, Weber believes the team's progress will continue. He has several returning performers as well as six incoming freshmen. Weber thinks the depth of the team has improved although experience will still be limited. "Leadership is not a popularity contest, it is shown and earned by the athlete who wants it," said Weber.

Key returnees will include Amber Abrams (5'10, Jr. Rapid City, SD), who moved into 7th place on the Coyotes all-time list for attack attempts, career (1,602) and 5th place on the kills, career list (560). A year ago, Abrams was 2nd on the team in kills with 370 (1089-attack attempts) or 2.91 per game. She had 41 block assists and seven solo blocks with 290 digs. The floor general will be Angela Golesh (5'8, Soph., Lakewood, CO) who had a stellar freshman campaign. Golesh recorded 825 assists (8.97 per game), a one-year total that moves her into 5th place all-time for set assists, career. Golesh also had 168 digs or 1.83 per game. Other returning starters are Becky Olson (6'0, Soph., Norfolk, NE), who was a major contributor during her freshman year. Olson, a southpaw right-side hitter, caused problems for many opponents. She averaged 2.54 kills per game in 2000, recording 323 kills (882 attack attempts). As a result, Olson is now tied for 8th place on the Coyotes' all-time list for kills, season (323) and sits in 10th place for attack attempts, season (882). Returning defensive specialist Angie Bjorkman (5'8, Jr., Vermillion, SD) was named honorable mention academic all-NCC in 2000. Bjorkman had 32 service aces with 1.72 digs per game. Jen Hedegaard (5"9, Jr., Underwood, IA) had 115 digs or 1.31 per game. Nicole Johnson (6"3, Sr., Slayton, MN) had 227 kills (564 attack attempts), or 1.88 per game. She also recorded 118 blocks, including 87 block assists and 59 block solos. She had a .270 hitting percentage. Johnson moved into 8th place all-time on the Coyotes career list for total blocks, season (118). Coyotes also return Brooke Lundine (6'0, Sr., Casper, WY) and Jami Peterson (6"0, Soph., Ponca, NE), who were redshirted a year ago. A former starter, Lundine played in 103 games in 1999-00, averaging 2.86 kills per game (295 total kills). She also led the team in total blocks with 86, including 23 solo blocks and 63 block assists.

During the fall and spring signing periods, Weber added six new recruits, an athletic and talented group that will contribute significantly in 2001. Those recruits include: Lacy Ross, (5'7, Omaha, NE) Lindsey Soukup, (5'10, Lincoln, NE), McKenzie Hartwig, 5'9, Pinedale, WY) Laura Marske, 6'3, Spencer, IA), Jessica Callies, (5'9, Mitchell, SD), and Alexis Wissing, (6'0, Lincoln, NE)

While this squad is young and inexperienced, Weber believes he has a very talented group. "In a program that hasn't had a history of success, our student athletes will have the opportunity to showcase their abilities while striving to build a winning program. They already have winning attitudes," he said.

The 2001 Coyote squad has set goals that include finishing in the upper half of the NCC. "We will work hard and if we can overcome our inexperience, we have a chance to do some nice things this season," said Weber.

Rule Change: Beginning this fall, collegiate women's volleyball will be using the 30-point rally system in the first four games and 15-point rally system in the tie-breaking fifth game. According to Weber, the rule changes will make the game more competitive and more fan friendly. Weber thinks the rule changes will benefit teams with strong blocking and serving, which plays to the 2001 Coyotes strength.