Kalamazoo Gazette: Western Michigan's aggressive freshmen

 December 1, 2011

Western Michigan freshman volleyball players aggressive in pursuit of success

By Paul Morgan | Special to the Kalamazoo Gazette

KALAMAZOO — With just one senior and a bunch of new players, it was thought that Western Michigan University's volleyball team was a season away from being special.

Freshmen Claire Gerwig, Kaycee Acree and Carlee Berland weren't brought up that way, though. They wanted success now.

Kaycee Acree
[Kalamazoo Gazette]

"I come from a club (KIVA) and a high school team (Louisivlle, Ky., Assumption) where we expect to win championships," Gerwig said. "We don't accept anything else."

Acree, who played for national powerhouse club program Munciana, couldn't agree more.

"My club was always about winning championships, so coming to Western and hearing them talk about it was awesome," the defensive specialist said. "I didn't know how the freshmen would do, but I knew we would grow and get so much better."

The three first-year players have grown and contributed. Add in redshirt freshman setter Terin Norris, the MAC freshman of the year, along with freshman Richelle Ranney, a back-up middle blocker, and the Broncos seem set for years to come.

Western head coach Colleen Munson will see this weekend how the freshmen handle the pressure of the NCAA tournament. The Broncos, an at-large selection, play Washington at 5:30 p.m. on Friday at the University of Minnesota in a first-round match. A win would put them in Saturday's second round.

"When they came into the program, their eyes were wide open and they wanted to contribute right away," Munson said. "These kids haven't taken no for an answer.

"They've improved their game, their attitudes are very aggressive and they are independently confident in what they are doing."

Acree has proven to be solid in the backrow with sophomore Lena Oliver and junior Boo Sweeney. Western led the MAC in digs per set at 18.30. Oliver was tops on the team with 655 digs, Acree was next at 304 and Sweeney had 283.

Gerwig and Berland have been fighting over the number two leftside hitter spot all season. Berland has more kills, 143, but Gerwig is coming off her best match of the season. She had eight kills and a .500 hitting percentage against Valparaiso. The two are dead even in blocking, each having five solos and 11 assists.

"I'm surprised at how much better I've been able to get this season," Berland said. "When you are in club or high school, you think your level is as high as it can get, but now coming here, the coaches and team pushes you and you're doing more than you thought you could do."

But there is just one spot currently available for the two newbies.

"It's worked out well for Claire and me," Berland said. "In practice we push each other to our potential because we are fighting for that time on the court.

"It's brought out the best in both of us."

It remains to be seen if the NCAA tournament will bring out the best in all of them.

"I'm excited and a little anxious," Acree said. "I couldn't sleep on Sunday night (after the announcement that WMU made the tournament).

"It will be an awesome experience."