July 26, 2000

Experience, we are taught, counts in athletics.

There are, of course, exceptions.

Every so often a group of prodigies can stand a sport on its head by tilting at the windmill of experience and come away winners.

Yet those cases are rare in college sport.

Generally speaking, there is a charge for those relying on the untested to carry it into contention.

In 1999, coach Heather Hoehn and the Villanova Wildcats paid that price, with interest. Featuring a roster with only one senior (Stacey Moline, who was limited by injuries) Villanova endured a 9-21 campaign.

"We had a lot of young players," said Hoehn, who is beginning her third season in charge on the Main Line, "and lost a lot of close matches."

The efforts of `99 were not in vain, however. For they now serve as a foundation of knowledge that should benefit a more seasoned squad as it embarks upon its 2000 voyage.

"There were so many situations where we seemed to be in control of a match, only to have it slip away," Hoehn notes. "It's a hard lesson to learn but one that every team has to go through at some point.

"The good thing is that we know we were right there."

The margin between victory and defeat can often be minute, almost imperceptible. Coming through 1999 intact and pointed forward suggests the Wildcats' best days are ahead of them.

"We had a very good spring and I think that will carry over into the regular season," said Hoehn.

The one letterwinner who must be replaced is Moline, who started at setter and contributed 10.4 assists per game in 1999. Now the onus falls on senior Erin Pfotzer and a pair of newcomers.

"Erin got a ton of reps for us this past spring," Hoehn said of the 5-7 Newark, Del., native. "She hasn't had a lot of experience. She's hungry and ready to play."

Freshman Jennifer Edwards, 5-9, was a four-year starter at Valencia (Cal.) High School at setter.

"Jennifer's athleticism and leadership skills will certainly help take this program to the next level."

Freshman Amanda Guralski, 5-9, arrives from Wisconsin and should see immediate action.

"Amanda is versatile in that she can set and she can hit for us," Hoehn stated. "I expect her to challenge at both the setting position and right side hitting position.

"With those three it should be very competitive at the setting position and that's something that hasn't happened the past two years because of injuries."

The Wildcats will also have something of a new look at the rightside hitter position. Erin Birunas, who had 237 digs as a freshman, is expected to redshirt after undergoing back surgery in June.

Libby Sybilrud, a 6-1 junior, will see action at rightside hitter.

"With the loss of Birunas, we need Libby to step up right away," Hoehn notes. "But Erin was out in the spring and Libby played a ton at that spot for us. I have no qualms about that whatsoever."

Look for Guralski to see action at this spot too.

A pair of seniors anchor the middle hitting position for the Wildcats. Breen Eddinger (432 kills, 196 digs in `99) and Tina Zitterich (242 kills, 89 blocks) provide solid experience and skill in the middle.

"Breen is our floor captain and an integral part of what we do," Hoehn said. "She does a great job in the primary passing role and defensively.

"We look for Tina to try and stay healthy for an entire season. We always seem to lose her for about two weeks or so with injuries. She is definitely a spark to our offense. When she was healthy she accounted for about 40 percent of our offense.

"She only plays three rotations but she brings fire. When she's in there, you know she's there."

Jaci Fugiel, a junior, is another candidate in the middle.

"Jaci spent a lot of time working on fitness level and getting her shoulder in gear," Hoehn stated. "She is 6-0 plus and able to come in and play spots that you normally don't see someone of her stature handle."

Courtney Starbuck, a 6-1 transfer from Charleston Southern, will also be a factor at the middle position.

"Courtney's versatility is another plus for us, especially with the number of injuries we have had in the past few seasons," stated Hoehn.

Senior Ruth Ann Blankheim is a fixture at the outside hitter spot. Blankheim, 5-9, led the Wildcats with 356 digs (3.4 per game) and also added 216 kills (2.06 per outing). A four-year starter, Blankheim is a key to Villanova's success.

"Ruth Ann's defensive skills amaze me," said Hoehn. "She improved defensively last year and has spent a lot of time working on different shots. I think now she knows where she can put the ball and score."

No Wildcat enjoyed a better spring training effort than 6-1 senior Lisa Trumbull.

"We expect Lisa to be a huge terminator for us," Hoehn said. "She has a big body at 6-1 and when she gets a hold of a ball, she can really tag it. And that's what we need."

Also in the mix at outside hitter is Leah Mathews, a 5-10 sophomore from Poway, Cal. As a rookie in 1999 she contributed 175 kills (1.6 per game) and 337 digs (3.2 per game).

"I would say that Leah is probably our most solid defensive player and our best primary passer," Hoehn said. "Obviously, she will be on the court as much as we can get her on the court."

Yvonne Pierpoint, another sophomore, enters the season after rehabilitating a shoulder injury. Pierpoint underwent surgery on that shoulder last year.

"We will work Yvonne into the lineup in the first half of the season, primarily as a passer and a defensive specialist," added Hoehn.

Dana Jones is another candidate at the outside hitting position. A 5-10 junior who saw limited action in `99, Jones hopes to build on her offseason work.

"It was a good spring for Dana," Hoehn stated. "She improved her hitting consistency and spent a lot of time working on her defensive abilities. I look for her to push people as well."

Along with the individuals who comprise the Wildcats there are other improvements that hint to the potential of Nova Volleyball too. This summer the volleyball office moved into a new home on the Nevin stage. And the Jake Nevin Field House features a new look too, thanks to a summer sanding and paint job that has given the `Cats home court a bright new shine.

"It's going to be a big boost to us," Hoehn said. "When you recruit, potential student-athletes look at the facility. Not only just for how it looks but it serves as a sign that Villanova cares about the program. It should also give our current players a boost too. Villanova wants to be successful and is giving us the tools to do it."

In the final analysis, Hoehn believes the lessons of `99 and the offseason toil contributed since should serve Villanova well in its new season.

"Our Big East season last year was not reflective of how we did," Hoehn said. "The Big East is only taking four teams to the Big East tournament and we would like to be in a position to vie for one of those spots. That's always a team goal of ours."

The schedule is challenging. It begins with the annual Wildcat Classic in Nevin and includes a confrontation with defending NCAA champion Penn State. There is also the usual rugged Big East lineup.

So a new chapter is about to begin.

And the Wildcats are eager to put the lessons of the recent past to good use.