Olivet College

2006 VOLLEYBALL

2006 Season Preview .................................................................... 1Coaching Staff ............................................................................... 1Meet the Comets .......................................................................... 22006 Team Picture ........................................................................ 2Returning Letterwinners ............................................................... 3Newcomers .................................................................................... 32005 Match Results and Statistics ............................................. 42006 Schedule ............................................................... Back cover

TABLE OF CONTENTSLocation ......................................................... Olivet, MI 49076Founded ............................................................................... 1844Enrollment .......................................................................... 1,086Nickname ........................................................................ CometsSchool colors ...................................................... Red and whiteAffiliation ................................................... NCAA Division IIIConference ...... Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic AssociationPresident ................................................. Don Tuski ’85, Ph.D.Director of Athletics .......................................... Tom Shaw ’88Associate Athletic Director .......................... Heather BatemanAssistant VP for College Relations ..................... Jerry RashidSports Information Director .............................. Geoff Henson

Office phone number ................................ (269) 749-7602Head Athletic Trainer ........................................... Wendy LeowHead Volleyball Coach ............................................ John MillerAlma mater, year ................................ Western Michigan, 1996

Office phone number ................................ (269) 749-6677E-mail address ........................ jdmiller@olivetcollege.eduYears at Olivet .............................................................. first

Assistant Coaches ............. Josh Pickard and Tom VanWienen

2005 Overall Record ........................................................... 7-252005 MIAA Record/Finish ................... 4-12/Tied for seventh

Starters returning/lost ............................................................ 3/3Letterwinners returning/lost ............................................... 13/4

QUICK FACTS

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CREDITS: The 2006 Olivet College volleyball guide is a publicationof Olivet’s Office of College Relations. The guide was designed andwritten by Sports Information Director Geoff Henson, with editingby the college relations staff. Individual pictures were taken byMike Gorecki of SPI Photo. The guide was printed by ForesightGroup of Lansing.

Established in 1844, OlivetCollege is a private, liberal artsinstitution located in south centralMichigan, between Battle Creek andLansing. Olivet was one of the firstinstitutions in America to admitwomen and minorities. The college isdedicated to its vision of Educationfor Individual and SocialResponsibility, and remains true to itsroots by providing a quality highereducation to all, regardless of gender,race or financial means. Olivet Collegeis home to more than 1,000 students,who study under The Olivet Plan. Inthis unique educational experience,students engage in both curricular and co-curricular programs thatcombine real world experiences with lectures and service learning.

Olivet College offers 28 programs leading to a bachelor of artsdegree, a master of arts in teaching degree, and dual degree programswith two higher education institutions in Michigan. Olivet is accreditedby the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

The college offers opportunities for students to get involved inmore than 20 clubs and organizations. Approximately 40 percent ofall Olivet students participate in athletics on a non-scholarship basis.

Olivet consistently has one of the most diverse studentpopulations of any private institution in Michigan. In a typical year,the student body includes 20 percent minority students andinternational students from 14 countries. All of this makes the campuscommunity a microcosm of the world – an ideal place for learning tolive and work in the global society of the 21st century.

Burrage Library

ABOUT OLIVET COLLEGE

First-year Head Coach John Miller may be a stranger to theMichigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA), but he is nostranger to the sport of volleyball in the state of Michigan. Millercame to Olivet College after a successful coaching career at nearbyKellogg Community College (KCC) in Battle Creek. At KCC, he washead volleyball coach for one year and an assistant coach for fouryears.

By coming to Olivet, Miller has taken a leap of faith that he cantransform the Olivet volleyball team into one of the elite teams of theMIAA. He understands the change is going to take time, but is willingto put the effort in to do so.

In 2006, the Comets return 13 letterwinners, including threestarters. With the addition of a solid recruiting class, Miller hopesthat the team can begin its transformation.

Leading the team is senior captains Kara Brinker (North Branch)and Julia Longman (Scotts/Climax-Scotts). Brinker, a right-sidehitter, finished the 2005 season with 113 kills. In her first three yearsat Olivet, she has played in 81 matches and tallied 235 kills. Longman,a defensive specialist, battled through an injury last year and sawaction in only 16 matches, recording 95 digs. In her career, she hasbeen a part of 73 matches and has 473 digs.

“Julia and Kara have done a great job at stepping into the role asa captain,” said Miller. “The funny thing is they have very, verydifferent personalities. Kara is just so quiet, but Julia has an outgoing,bubbly personality.

Joining Brinker in the front row attack is sophomore middlehitter Mackenzie Heator (Union City). Heator made an impact as afreshman, playing in 115 of 121 games and leading the team with 98

SEASON PREVIEW

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blocks. She was fourth on the team with 215 kills and finished with a.221 hitting percentage. Other returning attackers who earned a sporton the varsity team are sophomores Kristina Mellinger(Constantine), Joli Schlabach (Colon) and Kim Travis (Shepherd).

“Mackenzie is doing a great job,” Miller says. “If we can get afew little mechanical issues worked out of her, she going to be a verygood player. The others are going to be in the mix along with a coupleof the recruits.”

Another key returning player is junior setter and captain JessicaPetkus (Milford). In two years at Olivet, she has played in 59 of apossible 65 matches and has career statistics of 2,052 set assists, 31service aces and 635 digs.

“All that I can say about Jessica is that her parents better beproud,” Miller said. “They have done an amazing job raising a findyoung lady. She epitomizes what you look for in a captain.”

Besides Longman, the defense includes junior Kelli Roe(Galesburg-Augusta) and sophomores Courtney Lewis (Battle Creek/St. Philip) and Natalee Singleton (Sand Lake/Lakeview). Each sawaction in back-up roles last year.

Headlining the recruiting class are freshmen Jennifer Malm(Bridgman) and Emily McClure (Athens). Sophomore ChristineSchaum (Marshall), a transfer from KCC and the younger sister ofKatie, who played for the Comets last year, and Ashley Knight(Coloma) are also a part of the varsity roster.

“Jenny and Emily are going to see an amazing amount of playingtime,” stated Miller. “I am not just trying to win this year, I am tryingto build this foundation for the future, and they are two incredibleplayers to build around.”

COACHING STAFF

HEAD COACH JOHN MILLER

John Miller is in his first season as headvolleyball coach at Olivet College.

Miller came to Olivet after working fiveyears at Kellogg Community College (KCC)in Battle Creek. In 2005, he served as theBruins’ head volleyball coach and from2001-04, he was an assistant coach. In 2005,Miller led KCC to a 52-9 overall record and aperfect 12-0 record in the MichiganCommunity College Athletic Association

(MCCAA) Western Conference. For his efforts, he was selected asthe MCCAA Western Conference Coach of the Year, MCCAA Coachof the Year and NJCAA Region XII, District E Coach of the Year.

Miller earned a bachelor’s degree in 1996 from Western MichiganUniversity, where he is pursuing a master’s degree.

Miller resides in Marshall with wife, Noelle.

Pickard VanWienen

ASSISTANTS JOSH PICKARD & TOM VANWIENEN

Josh Pickard and TomVanWienen are in their secondseason as assistant volleyballcoaches. VanWienen also servesas the head junior varsity coach.

Pickard is a 2002 graduateof Michigan State University(MSU). At MSU, he was a setterfor the nationally-ranked men’svolleyball team. Pickard also serves as a referee for USA Volleyballand high school volleyball.

A native of Flushing, Pickard resides in Lansing.VanWienen earned a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan

University in 2003. He lives in Battle Creek with wife, Jonna, andtwo daughters, Allison and Kate.

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Name Yr. Pos. Ht. Hometown High SchoolKara Brinker Sr. RS 5-9 North Branch North BranchSarah Geasler Jr. S 5-5 Laingsburg LaingsburgJackie Giggy Fr. RS 5-9 Quincy BronsonMackenzie Heator So. M H 6-0 Union City Union CityAshley Knight Jr. DS/OH 5-8 Coloma ColomaCourtney Lewis So. DS 5-5 Battle Creek St. PhilipJulia Longman Sr. DS 5-3 Scotts Climax-ScottsJennifer Malm Fr. OH 5-10 Bridgman BridgmanEmily McClure Fr. M H 5-10 Athens AthensKristina Mellinger So. RS 5-8 Constantine ConstantineAme Morgan Fr. S/DS 5-4 Sherwood AthensTiffany Pattenaude Fr. DS 5-2 Westland Garden CityJessica Petkus Jr. S 5-9 Milford MilfordTonia Ramsey Fr. S 5-8 Battle Creek Harper CreekKelli Roe Jr. DS 5-5 Galesburg AugustaChristine Schaum So. DS 5-4 Marshall MarshallJoli Schlabach So. OH 5-9 Colon ColonNatalee Singleton So. DS 5-5 Sand Lake LakeviewTai Taylor Fr. M H 5-11 East Leroy AthensKim Travis So. OH 5-9 Shepherd Shepherd

MEET THE COMETS

2006 TEAM PICTURE

FRONT ROW (from left): Tiffany Pattenaude, Sarah Geasler, Christine Schaum, Kelli Roe, Natalee Singleton and Julia LongmanMIDDLE ROW (from left): Courtney Lewis, Jessica Petkus, Kara Brinker, Ashley Knight, Tonia Ramsey, Kristina Mellinger andAme MorganBACK ROW (from left): Head Coach John Miller, Jackie Giggy, Tai Taylor, Mackenzie Heator, Jennifer Malm, Emily McClure,Joli Schlabach and Assistant Coach Tom VanWienen

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RETURNING PLAYERS

KIM

TRAVIS

Sophomore 5-9Outside HitterShepherd

KARA

BRINKER

Senior 5-9Rightside HitterNorth Branch

SARAH

GEASLER

Junior 5-5SetterLaingsburg

MACKENZIE

HEATOR

Sophomore 6-0Middle HitterUnion City

COURTNEY

LEWIS

Sophomore 5-5Defensive SpecialistBattle Creek

JULIA

LONGMAN

Senior 5-3Defensive SpecialistScotts

KRISTINA

MELLINGER

Sophomore 5-8Rightside HitterConstantine

JESSICA

PETKUS

Junior 5-9SetterMilford

KELLI

ROE

Junior 5-5Defensive SpecialistGalesburg

JOLI

SCHLABACH

Sophomore 5-9Outside HitterColon

NATALEE

SINGLETON

Sophomore 5-5Defensive SpecialistSand Lake

NEWCOMERS

JACKIE

GIGGY

Freshman 5-9Rightside HitterQuincy

TAI

TAYLOR

Freshman 5-11Middle HitterEast Leroy

CHRISTINE

SCHAUM

Sophomore 5-4Defensive SpecialistMarshall

TONIA

RAMSEY

Freshman 5-8SetterBattle Creek

TIFFANY

PATTENAUDE

Freshman 5-2Defensive SpecialistWestland

AME

MORGAN

Freshman 5-5Defensive SpecialistSherwood

EMILY

MCCLURE

Freshman 5-11Middle HitterAthens

ASHLEY

KNIGHT

Junior 5-8DS/Outside HitterColoma

JENNIFER

MALM

Freshman 5-10Outside HitterBridgman

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2005 MATCH RESULTS AND STATISTICS

! - Elmhurst (Ill.) College Invitational; # - Hanover (Ind.) College Invitational$ - Franklin (Ind.) College Quad; ̂ - Calvin College Midwest Invitational* - Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association match% - 2006 MIAA Tournament

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SEPT. 1-2 @ Earlham (Ind.) Tournament .............................. 4 p.m./11 a.m.7 @ Saint Mary’s (Ind.) * .................................................... 7 p.m.

8-9 @ Hanover (Ind.) Tournament ............................... 5 p.m./9 a.m.12 ALBION * ................................................................ 6:30 P.M.16 @ Kalamazoo * .............................................................. 11 a.m.20 CALVIN * ................................................................. 6:30 P.M.22 TRI-STATE (Ind.) * ....................................................... 7 P.M.26 ADRIAN * ................................................................ 6:30 P.M.28 ROCHESTER ................................................................ 7 P.M.30 ALMA * ......................................................................... NOON

OCT. 4 HOPE * ..................................................................... 6:30 P.M.6 SAINT MARY’S (Ind.) * .............................................. 7 P.M.

11 @ Albion * ................................................................... 6:30 p.m.13 KALAMAZOO * ........................................................... 7 P.M.14 @ Alma * ............................................................................ noon18 @ Calvin * ................................................................... 6:30 p.m.20 @ Tri-State (Ind.) * with Huntington (Ind.) ...................... 4 p.m.21 @ Hope * .................................................................... 6:30 p.m.24 @ Adrian * ................................................................... 6:30 p.m.

* - Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association matchBOLD RED CAPS denote home matchAll start times are EST unless noted differently

2006 OLIVET COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE

Education for Individual and Social Responsibilitywww.olivetcollege.edu/sports

Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic AssociationThe Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA)

is America’s oldest collegiate athletic conference.The 2006-07 school year marks the 119th consecutive year

of operation for the NCAA Division III affiliated conference.The MIAA was founded March 24, 1888. From thevery beginning, the MIAA has conducted full-seasonchampionships in multiple sports. There have beenchanges in some of the sports (bicycle racing andIndian club juggling have long since disappeared, andbasketball did not even exist in 1888), but thesechanges have served to develop the MIAA into oneof America’s finest NCAA Division III conferences,today offering 18 sports for men and women.

The MIAA’s continuity is noteworthy. Of the 12 schoolsthat have had full membership, eight are still members — Adrian,Albion, Alma, Calvin, Hope, Kalamazoo, Olivet and Saint Mary’s.Significantly, not one of these eight colleges has ever belongedto any other formal league. Albion and Olivet were chartermembers although Albion is the only member to hold continuousmembership. Ex-members are Michigan State University

(1888-1907), Eastern Michigan University (1892-1926), HillsdaleCollege (1888-1960), and Defiance College (1997-2000).

The MIAA’s membership list went unchanged from 1954until 1997 when Defiance College of Ohio and Saint Mary’s College

of Indiana were invited to join. It also marked the firsttime that the league added members outside the Stateof Michigan. The league stipulated, however, that thename of the conference would not change. Theinaugural year of current members are: Adrian (1908),Albion (1888), Alma (1902), Calvin (1953), Hope (1926),Kalamazoo (1896), Olivet (1888), and SaintMary’s (1997).

The MIAA marked a historic note in 2002 when the leagueaccepted Wisconsin Lutheran College of Milwaukee as anassociate member for the purpose of competing in football.Wisconsin Lutheran announced in 2005 that it will leave theMIAA after the 2007 season to join another conference.

Tri-State University became a conference member in 2004-05upon its acceptance as a provisional NCAA member.