Dec. 1, 2004
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Last Week: Iowa completed its 2004 season against fourth-ranked Minnesota and Illinois. Both teams swept the Hawkeyes in three games. The Gophers won 30-20, 30-10, and 30-24. Illinois defeated Iowa by scores of 30-21, 30-22, and 30-25.
In Fredrick’s words: “We knew this season was going to be tough, but there were definitely bright spots. This was the first time that we have had double-digit wins since 2000, and we improved over last year’s conference record as well. Though we had just two conference wins, they were both great. The win over Michigan State at the beginning of the year really gave us a lift and the second over Indiana was a bright spot at the end of the season. We also set a new attendance record and I’m excited to see how many people will be here when we start winning.
This was also a season of “who knows,” because our season could have turned out very differently. Dealing with an illness like mono was very difficult. It would be hard for any team to have half its starters out for 2-3 weeks. When we did get them back they were still only about 60 percent. I am very proud of how the team hung in there.
At the same time, we know there are still many things that we need to work on. We lacked consistency all season, and many times couldn’t finish out a game or match. The number one thing that we have to establish is a winning attitude, and until we have that, things aren’t going to change. We also have to learn how to stop the errors.
We’re looking forward to next spring because it will mean a lot of time to work individually with the players. I think we’ll see great strides in many areas including strength, jumping, and agility. We’re also hoping to play in three or four tournaments that will help the players.”
Departing Seniors: Four seniors will depart the Iowa volleyball program. Middle blocker Carolyn Giese, libero Pam Kavadas, outside hitter Laura Simpson and student assistant coach Amoreena Reynolds,
Middle blocker Carolyn Giese is in the record book three times. For her career, Giese has 917 kills out of 2,391 attempts. Her attacking percentage of .211 puts her at 17th on the Iowa all-time attack percentage list. Her 917 kills is 15th best in Iowa history. Giese is also eighth on the all-time blocks list with 305 total blocks (with 25 solos and 280 block assists).
“Carolyn brought tenacity that really motivated the team. She was a true competitor at all times,” said Fredrick.
Libero Pam Kavadas had 564 digs this season for a career total of 1,536. That total ranks third on Iowa’s all-time list. Janet Moylan (1987-1990) is Iowa’s all-time dig leader with 1,931. Kavadas has also played in every game of her four-year career at Iowa (422). She also holds the single match record with 41 digs against Georgia State on September 10, 2004.
“Pam was one of the most dedicated kids on the squad. She worked hard and really took pride in being a libero. She just really loved playing the game and it showed,” said Fredrick.
Outside hitter Laura Simpson will also end her career in the record books. Simpson has 31 solo blocks and 213 block assists. Her 244 total blocks is 13th best in Iowa history. Simpson also has a total of 1,059 career kills, which is 13th on the all-time list.
“Laura has battled through so much this year with a foot infection and then mono. When she was healthy, she willingly switched to the middle hitter position when we needed her to. Her positive attitude was great, and she was always ready to do whatever it took to be successful,” said Fredrick.”
Although Amoreena Reynolds wasn’t in a uniform this season, she has been a big part of the Iowa program as a student-assistant coach, helping the Hawkeyes both in practice and at home games. In Amoreena’s short playing career at Iowa she managed to put her name in the record books. She holds the record for best attack percentage with an .800 clip against Binghamton on September 6, 2002. She is also ninth on the single match kills list with 27 when Iowa played at Purdue in 2002.
Big Ten News: In 65 conference games, Pam Kavadas had 339 digs, for an average of 5.22 per game, third best in the league. Justeen Patton was tenth in the league with an average of 8.98 assists in 62 games. Also, in conference-only matches Tiana Costanzo finished the season tied for 7th with 16 ace serves, an average of 0.25
Counting all games played this season, Pam Kavadas was third in the Big Ten with 564 digs in 108 games for an average of 5.22.
Iowa wound up fifth in the league with 134 aces in 134 games, an average of 1.24 per game.
The Hawkeyes also finished fifth in the digging category with 1,762 total digs in 108 games for an average of 16.31 digs per game.