2006 CCIW Volleyball Preview

NAPERVILLE, Ill. – The 2005 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) volleyball season saw three teams earn a spot in the NCAA Division III Volleyball Tournament, a conference title from Carthage and a tournament title from Elmhurst. Additionally, Millikin advanced to the Regional Semifinals of the NCAA’s.

Entering 2006, those same teams will look to continue its success from a year ago, while the rest of the group aims to catch the top three finishers in the 2005 conference standings.

In the latest CCIW Preseason Volleyball Coaches Poll, Carthage (30-7, 7-0 in 2005) was predicted to win the school’s third straight conference championship and fifth overall. The Lady Reds picked up 49 points including seven first place votes, while Elmhurst (31-10, 5-2) took second in the poll with 42 points. Millikin (29-10, 6-1) placed third with 36 points including one first place vote.

Carthage returns all seven starters from its 2005 title-winning team. American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-American Jori Simmons, AVCA All-Midwest Region selection Kelly Bauer, second-team all-conference member Mariya Land and all-conference honorable mention pick Emily Cahoon all return to the Lady Reds in 2006. Simmons led the way in seven conference games in hitting percentage at 37 percent, while Land was the leader in kills per game at 3.94.

While Carthage returns much of its experienced players, Elmhurst lost six seniors and five starters, including AVCA All-American setter Lindsay Johnson, from its 2005 NCAA Tournament team. Senior outside hitter Carly Bearwald, an all-conference pick in 2004 and 2005, returns to the Bluejays in 2006 as Elmhurst tries to make it seven NCAA Tournament appearances in a row.

Millikin’s 2005 NCAA Tournament appearance was the Big Blue’s first since 1999 as they advanced to the regional semifinal, losing to Calvin after a first round win over Capital. Millikin will be without graduated all-American libero Katie Crumley, but returns middle hitters Kate Schnake and Rachel Cook, who both earned all-conference honors last season. Junior Jessica LeClaire returns after recording 884 assists, 60 aces and 300 digs in 2005.

Last season was the first time the CCIW featured a four-team conference tournament, which included the three aforementioned teams and Wheaton. The Thunder finished 21-15 in 2005, 3-4 in conference play, and tied for fifth with Augustana in the 2006 preseason poll (25 points). Wheaton returns its all-conference setter in sophomore Annie Himmelhaver and sophomore outside hitter Mallory Sullivan, an all-conference pick a year ago.

Illinois Wesleyan, who was predicted to finish fourth in the preseason poll (27 points), finished 14-17 in 2005, 3-4 in CCIW play. The Titans return all-conference setter Jenna Passananti who finished second in the CCIW in set assists with 110.96 per game and led her team in assists (1,222), digs (402) and service aces (46).

Augustana finished 19-15 (3-4 in the CCIW) in 2005. The Vikings return junior Erin Reeverts, an all-conference pick last season, and senior Lindsey Linkimer who was the team’s leading blocker with 102 in 118 games. Senior outside hitter Samantha Knox also returns after averaging 3.08 kills last season.

North Central (10-24, 1-6) and North Park (6-26, 0-7) placed seventh and eighth in the preseason poll with 13 and seven points respectively. The Cardinals return sophomore libero/outside hitter Ashley Festin who earned all-conference status last season by leading the team in digs with 565 (4.38/game), aces (41) and serve reception percentage (.938, 866 attempts, 54 errors). The Cardinals also return six seniors, including libero/defensive specialist Katie Bonamer who was the only player to appear in all 34 matches last season.

North Park will usher in a new era with new head coach Coley Johnsen, who took over for Sue Zimmer. Zimmer left her post as head coach to become North Park’s Athletics Facilities Director, while keeping her title of Associate A.D. Johnsen played at Northern Illinois and Aurora, and was a coach and administrator for the Kane County Juniors Volleyball Club, while also coaching the sophomore team and serving as a varsity assistant at Geneva High School.