volleyball

Volleyball battles for A-Sun positioning

By:
Published Oct 24, in Sports, Volleyball

In their last 5 matches, the Mercer women’s volleyball team has come up victorious in only two of those competitions. While playing some of their best volleyball to date, some efforts weren’t strong enough to secure those all important conference wins and they now see themselves in a battle to earn a spot in the Atlantic Sun Conference tournament against several other teams in the last few weeks of play.
The first match-up for the Bears was a rematch against the East Tennessee State University Buccaneers. Mercer previously defeated ETSU in front of their home crowd, and looked to take the momentum from the previous win into this competition. Unfortunately for the Bears, ETSU came up on the victorious end this time taking the match 3-1.
The Orange and Black lost the first set 19-25, but battled back to win the second set 25-23. The Bears could not muster up enough strength to take the match however, and lost the next two sets (18-25, 18-25).
Leading the way for Mercer was sophomore Caroline Carlton who knocked down 15 kills. Senior Charlayna Braxton put down nine of her own while senior Jenn Katona and freshman Molly Locke each contributed seven apiece.
Senior setter Monica Sanchez was able to dish out 37 assists in the losing effort.
On the defensive side of the ball, junior libero Emily Rochefort contributed 24 digs while senior teammate Jamie Duffy was able to add 18 of her own. Monica Sanchez and Molly Locke aided the team getting seven digs of her own.
After coming up short against ETSU, the Bears looked to rebound against in-state rival Kennesaw State University. The team did just that and won the game in five sets (22-25, 25-18, 25-12, 11-25, 15-8).
Freshman Molly Locke led the team in kills with an impressive number of 16. Sophomore Caroline Carlton was not far off knocking down 15 of her own. Seniors Jamie Duffy, Jenn Katona and Charlayna Braxton also had impressive nights adding 11, 10 and nine kills, respectively.
Senior setter Monica Sanchez had an impressive outing and sent out 51 assists on the day.
Defensively four players reached double digit digs with Jamie Duffy leading the way with 19. Junior libero Emily Rochefort added 16 of her won, while Molly Locke and Monica Sanchez earned 15 and 13 of their own.
With another conference win in the books, the ladies looked to add another tally in the win column against the Spartans of USC Upstate. The Bears came up short and lost the match in three sets (19-25, 19-25, 14-25).
Freshman Molly Locke led the team in kills with eight while senior Jenn Katona was able to knock down seven of her own. Senior Jamie Duffy and sophomore Caroline Carlton also contribute six apiece.
Senior setter Monica Sanchez was able to amass 21 assist in the match, while junior setter Carly Iannarino was able to come in and contribute six of her own.
Junior libero Emily Rochefort added 22 digs in the match while Molly Locke amassed 16 of her own. Senior Jamie Duffy also contributed in the dig category with 11.
In the next match, the Bears saw themselves in a tight competition against the league leaders from Florida Gulf Coast University. The Orange and Black were able to take the match to five sets, but despite a resilient effort, came up on the losing end. The Bears took the first set 26-24 but lost the next two sets (26-28, 25 20). The ladies were able to bounce back in the fourth with a win of 25-18, but ultimately lost the fifth and final set 8-15.
Three players attained double digit kills with freshman Molly Locke pacing the Bears with 21. Senior Jamie Duffy and sophomore Caroline Carlton contributed 13 and 12, respectively.
Senior setter Monica Sanchez was able to obtain 51 assists in the match
Junior libero Emily Rochefort led the team in digs with 21, while Jamie Duffy and Molly Locke contributed 18 and 16, respectively.
After coming up just short against FGCU, the Bears were able to get back to winning ways against Stetson University. The Orange and Black defeated the Hatters in an impressive 3-0 (25-15, 25-20, 25-19) fashion.
Sophomore Caroline Carlton paced the team with 15 kills while freshman Molly Locke was not far behind her knocking down 14.
Senior setter Monica Sanchez dished out 41 helpers in the competition.
Junior libero Emily Rochefort and Molly Locke each were able to add 14 digs in the winning effort.
The next match for the Bears is Oct. 26 vs. the Dolphins of Jacksonville University at 7 p.m. The Bears will also take on the University of North Florida the following day (Oct. 27) at 3 p.m. The game against North Florida will also double as senior night honoring the six seniors on the squad. Charlayna Braxton, Jamie Duffy, Jenn Katona, Madison Petsos, Monica Sanchez and Codi Schepp will all be honored for their service to Mercer University.

Day in the Life: Lizzie Knapper

By:
Published Oct 24, in Day in the Life, Sports

Volleyball player, dual math and psychology major Lizzie Knapper contributes much to her team’s advancement. Knapper ardently supports her teammates by attending every volleyball practice and tournament while also staying connected to the school community. Mercer students usually spot Knapper attending Reformed University Fellowship service or teaching a Pre-calculus SI class to freshman. Although balancing schoolwork, church, a social life, and volleyball resembles walking a tightrope, Knapper demonstrates the expertise of a trapeze artist.
On Thursday, Knapper’s busiest day of the week, she wakes up around 7 a.m. and quickly snatches a yogurt before heading off to her 8 a.m. 400 level math class, Real Analysis. “It’s really challenging and a lot harder than last year’s classes,” commented Knapper. After her Real Analysis class, she runs to History 110, which starts at 9:25 a.m. Then, at 10:50 a.m., Knapper studies Behavioral Statistics, a psychology course she takes to fulfill her major requirements. Commenting on her 12:15 p.m. Criminal Justice class, Knapper explains, “I am mainly taking that course for extra hours.”
After Knapper finishes her classes for the day, she grabs a quick bite to eat at 1:40 p.m. After eating lunch, the studious volleyball player finds a quiet place to study and does her homework from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Knapper then changes in the locker room for her 3:30 p.m. practice. Volleyball practice generally lasts from 3:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. Before some practices, the team meets at 3:00 p.m. in the team room to watch films and critique their performance. During practice, the new volleyball coach, Damian Elder, demands the best from his athletes. “He wants us to be a new Mercer,” says Knapper, “He wants us to play with a new momentum or what he calls ‘mojo,’ but he has been pushing us to do our best.” Once practice is over, Knapper orders a chicken sandwich at the University Center’s Chick-Fil-A. On rare occasions, she ventures into the Caf for dinner.
Hurriedly, Knapper takes a shower and briskly walks to her 8:00 p.m. SI Pre-calculus class. “SI is a tutoring session,” explains Knapper. By 9:10 p.m., the SI tutoring session ends and Knapper darts over to Tarver Library to finish some last minute homework. At 12:00 a.m., the worn-out volleyball player finally falls into bed.
In her interview, Knapper expressed how she likes to extend her circle of friends outside of the volleyball team. “A lot of my friends are on my team, but I also go to RUF, so I also have friends from there,” explains Knapper. “It’s tough at times, though, because we have weekends [when] we are here [on the Mercer campus] and we can do stuff and have fun, but a lot of times I am on the road so I don’t have time, so our team kinda really becomes like a family…it’s really nice.”
Realistically, Knapper humbly accepts her role as a team motivator: “One of the best things about being on the team is that I am not the star player and I sit on the bench a lot, but it’s good to just be a teammate to the other girls and push them in practice…I just enjoy being part of the team,” acknowledged the right-side hitter.
With her hopeful attitude, Knapper provides a refreshing perspective in a cut-throat NCAA Division I sport, “If my identity were in volleyball it would be really hard for me because I am not the best on the team… it’s easy to lose who you are, but I know my identity is in Christ and that helps me to realize that I need to be humble on the court and it just makes me a better teammate.”

Athletes prepare for upcoming seasons, strive towards success

By:
Published Aug 15, in Sports

As the school year begins, several athletic teams across campus are already in preparation for their competitive seasons.
Men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross country, and volleyball have all begun preseason training.
The men’s soccer team brings a wealth of experience onto the pitch this fall. Led by Atlantic Sun Conference first team member Josh Shutter and second team member Joey Heavner, the bears look to improve upon last year’s Atlantic Sun semi-final performance.
From his center-back position, Shutter was able to amass an impressive three goals and four assists, while Heavner was credited for one goal and seven assists. Shutter was also named to the preseason All-Conference team.
Last year’s leading goal scorers junior Ehjay Henry and senior captain Will Betts will look to have yet another impressive season on the field. Last year, Henry and Betts both tallied five goals apiece to pace the bears towards a successful season.
With eleven freshmen added to the squad the bears should be all set to have another successful season. The bears were predicted to finish fourth in the Atlantic Sun conference.
Head women’s coach, Tony Economopoulos, enters his first year as head coach for the bears. Economopoulos and the women’s soccer team looks to improve upon last year’s impressive run that saw them in the Atlantic Sun Tournament Finals.
Unfortunately, the bears came up short in that final, but the bitterness of last year’s defeat is sure to be fresh in their minds. Junior Nikki Atkinson, who had a stellar sophomore season in goal for the bears, is set to be the net minder for the bears again this year. Atkinson boasted a 0.74 goals against average while amassing an incredible .806 goals against average.
Also leading the bears is senior captain P.A Upson. Upson had an incredible season in the back line for the bears last year. Upson was one of the few people to play in all 20 matches for the bears last year, and was able to score two goals as well as tally two assists.
Also returning is sophomore Washida Blackman, who tallied four goals in her freshman year.
Women’s volleyball is also working to improve upon last year’s performance under former head coach Noelle Rooke. In the winter, Rooke was replaced by current head coach Damian Elder. Elder began making improvements to his squad last spring during the Sand Volleyball season, and is continuing to push his players to become better all around the court.
Leading attacker for the bears last year was senior Jennifer Katona. Katona was able to knock down 255 kills last year.
Also returning for the bears is senior setter, Monica Sanchez. Sanchez was able to dish out 504 assists last year, and looks to continue to be the playmaker for the bears this fall.
Men’s and women’s cross country is looking to have another impressive year. The men’s team is led by Junior Sony Prosper and Seniors Jacob Law and Chris Svidesskis.
The women’s team’s front runner is Kacie Niemann. Both squads look to steadily improve throughout the year to make a run at a conference title.
This fall should be an interesting one for the bears with several head coach changes within the athletic department. Despite the new personnel, each team is expected to have a positive and successful season.

Coaching Spotlight: Volleyball’s Damien Elder

By:
Published Feb 8, in Sports, Uncategorized

Since the end of November, the Mercer Women’s Volleyball team has been looking for a replacement for former Head Coach Noelle Rooke who resigned on Nov. 29. The search was a long and tedious one, but all prayers were answered on Jan. 17 when the Mercer Athletic Department announced the hiring of Damian Elder.

Director of Athletics Jim Cole was very pleased with the choice of Elder to assume the role of Head Volleyball Coach. “We are extremely pleased to add Coach Elder to the Mercer family,” said Cole.  “He brings over a decade of top-level hardwood coaching experience and has proven the ability to build a successful sand volleyball program. I’m confident we have found the right man to lead our program going forward,” added Cole.

This will be Elder’s first head coaching job ever. Most recently, Elder was the assistant at the College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina. At Charleston, he helped guide the Cougars to a 25-10 (14-2 SoCon) record and a runner-up finish in the 2011 SoCon Championship.

Before College of Charleston, Elder was also an assistant at the University of South Carolina as well as Stanford University. In his first season at Stanford, with his help, the team captured the 2004 NCAA Division I National Championship.

The Cluster most recently had a question and answer session with Coach Elder and he had a very positive outlook on where he plans to take the team in both indoor and sand volleyball.

Cluster: Why did you choose Mercer?

Elder: I chose Mercer for two reasons: The athletic department is committed to enhancing student athlete’s experience and  creating a sand volleyball program from scratch combined with turning around an indoor seemed like a challenge I couldn’t pass up.

Cluster: What do you look to improve upon moving forward with the girls from last year?

Elder: I’m moving toward team chemistry being a fundamental skill and standard for this group of athletes, as opposed to an intangible.

Cluster: How are your first team practices shaping up?

Elder: Practices have been great because the team has been great. I’ve told the girls that the day to day grind of “running” a program is completely overshadowed by how much I have enjoyed being in the gym with them.

Cluster: What is your coaching philosophy and how do you look to instill it upon your players?

Elder: I have a coaching philosophy that is constantly in flux, but can be captured currently by NFL analyst Ron Jaworski, a few weeks ago he said of a school looking for a new football coach, “they need pioneers not historians.” And that sums me up at the moment, I’m trying to be a pioneer for this team and I project that with consistency in my message and vigilance in watching for the good they do.

Cluster: Finally,with sand volleyball being added as an NCAA sport, how do you look to work on improving the skill set of your players so that they can play competitively?

Elder: Building the skill set for sand volleyball isn’t a project from the ground up. Many of the athletes on the team are experienced sand players and the other athletes possess the indoor skills just waiting to be translated onto the sand. 

 

Coach Elder should be able to take the program into the right direction. Team practices have begun and the hard work is already being put in to push for a conference championship in the 2012 indoor season, not to mention the sand volleyball season. Things are looking up for the women’s volleyball squad.

Volleyball pressured to win with A-Sun berth on the line

By:
Published Nov 2, in Sports

In their final home conference match of the year, the Mercer Bears volleyball squad missed a chance to grab an advantage and control its own destiny for the postseason with a tough loss to cap off an up-and-down two weeks for Mercer volleyball. The Bears are 10-17 overall and 3-7 in the Atlantic Sun Conference. With four games remaining, they must win out. At the beginning of the season, Coach Noelle Rooke said that it was all about “peaking at the right time.” The Bears need that now to clinch a postseason spot.

Mercer 3, Chattanooga 1
The Bears continued their break from Atlantic Sun play with a match at home against Chattanooga. The 3-1 win saw a total of 25 kills come from the right side duo of Anna Coursey and Caroline Carlton. The Bears won 25-19, 25-16, 20-25, 25-22. Another great performance all around from the team is what sent the Bears back in the right direction after the rough close loss versus the Rattlers. Charlotte Harris added 24 digs to her tally, and Monica Sanchez had 30 huge assists. For the 10th time this season, Jennifer Katona had at least 10 kills.

ETSU 3, Mercer 1
Despite bringing a two-game winning streak into Johnson City, Tenn., the Bears were unable to get past ETSU, falling 3-1. ETSU dropped the first set, but rallied to take three straight 18-25, 25-23, 25-17, 25-15. Mercer could not get past the Lady Bucs. Harris had 20 digs, and Madeline Dolny added a double-double with 21 assists and 12 digs. Carlton added nine kills with a decent hitting percentage.

Mercer 3, USC-Upstate 1
The Mercer Bears finished the conference road trip by getting back on the right foot with a solid win against USC Upstate. The Spartans were not able to finish the match off after a strong start, with the Bears winning 23-25, 25-22, 25-22, 25-18. Amiee Frutchey had 20 kills in the match, with Jamie Duffy and Jennifer Katona each adding 12. Charlotte Harris might have led the Bears with 23 digs, but Frutchey contributed 22. The Bears needed to rebound after the Bucs loss, and this was a great result.

Mercer 3, North Florida 0
The Bears began their final Atlantic Sun homestand of the season with a 3-0 drubbing of North Florida in the University Center. The Bears sent the Ospreys home without a win in any set at 25-18, 25-19, 25-20. North Florida was held to either zero or negative attacking efficiency the whole night, and the Bears picked them apart as a result. Harris had 14 digs, Dolny had 19 assists, Frutchey had nine kills, and Duffy had 10 digs, showing that the Bears had slightly lower numbers than their win over the Spartans a week prior, but they won more as a team than any individual effort.

Jacksonville 3, Mercer 0
Mercer lost their final Atlantic Sun game at home this year with a 3-0 decision against the Jacksonville Dolphins. The Dolphins manhandled the Bears, winning 25-20, 25-18, 25-21. Charlotte Harris got to 393 digs on the year, 1,280 in her career, with a 16-dig performance that was one of the bright spots on the afternoon. Jennifer Katona also had 12 kills. Coach Rooke lamented that “the same team couldn’t show up two days in a row.” Madeline Dolny also had 31 assists. This game celebrated the senior trio of Anna Coursey, Charlotte Harris, and Amiee Frutchey for their Mercer careers.

The Bears are next in action on the road at Florida Gulf Coast on Nov. 4, followed by a trip to Stetson the next day. Their last game at home is on Nov. 9 against Savannah State, and three days later, the Bears play Kennesaw State before a potential trip to the Atlantic Sun Championship in Nashville at Lipscomb University.

coaching spotlight: Noelle Rooke

By:
Published Sep 21, in Sports

For nearly a decade, Coach Noelle Rooke has repeatedly taken Mercer Volleyball into the Atlantic Sun tournament, and she has reached her 200th win as a head coach. She has taken the Bears to new heights and onto the cusp of greatness. Former Atlantic Sun Coach of the Year sat down with The Cluster and talked about her influences and legacy at Mercer.

The Cluster: Simply put, why volleyball?
Coach Noelle Rooke: Volleyball is a fun, fast-paced and exciting game to both play and watch.

TC: Why did you decide to coach?
NR: My college volleyball coach is actually the one who saw the attributes in me that she thought would make up a good coach and she is the reason why I got a head coaching job right out of college. I was also influenced by my dad, who was a high school football coach for 20 years, so I have been around the coaching profession all my life and have a passion for educating, teaching and giving back in a coach’s way.
TC: Who are your influences, whether it be in coaching or just life in general?
NR: My biggest influence right now is my husband, who is also a coach, and since we are in the same profession we are able to support each other and bounce ideas, tactics and game plans off of each other. He is also the best person I know and he makes me want to be a better person every day! As stated above, my dad and my college volleyball coach are also my biggest influences; however, I try to surround myself with colleagues and mentors who teach me and push me to grow every step of the way.

TC: What did you study in college?
NR: I majored in Psychology and minored in both Sociology and Criminology and I definitely use my major within my profession.
TC: How do you want to be remembered at Mercer?
NR: When my coaching career is complete at Mercer, I would like to be known for leaving the program better than it was when I got here, for having a 100 percent graduation rate, and hopefully for being a good role model for my young ladies to be upstanding people as well as student-athletes.

TC: What is your philosophy behind coaching?
NR: My philosophy is that hard work equals reward. I like to set the precedent that you have to work for everything in life and that nothing is handed to you on a silver platter. Also that honesty is the best policy.
TC: What is your favorite quote?
NR: I have several…
“I hear, I forget; I see, I remember; I do, I understand” – Confucius
“You don’t know unless you go”
“You don’t stop playing because you grow old; you grow old because you stop playing” – Ben Franklin
“Ability is what you’re capable of doing; Motivation determines what you do; Attitude determines how well you do it” – Lou Holtz

TC: What do you think of sand volleyball?
NR: I love sand volleyball. I was born and raised in Southern California so I played sand volleyball before I ever stepped foot indoors. I think that if every indoor player played sand first, it would make them more of a well-rounded and better all-around player because sand volleyball forces you to do everything, whereas indoor volleyball is more specialized and positional.
TC: Should Mercer field a men’s team in volleyball?
NR: I wish Mercer had a men’s volleyball team because my women’s team would benefit so much from practicing and playing against men. The issue is that there are very few NCAA Division I Men’s Volleyball teams, so it would be a lot of traveling, which means a big budget would be needed; and right now Mercer needs to focus on taking care of the sports we currently have.

Coach Rooke clearly loves what she does and lets it show when she is on the sidelines with her girls on the volleyball court. Watch her in her most comfortable environment as she continues to guide the volleyball squad this season.

Volleyball goes on 3-0 streak, takes down powerhouse UGA

By:
Published Sep 21, in Sports

The current three-match winning streak (as of Sept. 17) for the Mercer Bears Volleyball team is part of a 4-2 stretch since the last match of the Bear Brawl. The Bears have really turned it around after six straight tough losses to begin the season. Despite a two-match stretch of not winning a set (Samford and Georgia Tech matches), the Bears have pulled it together under the tutelage of Coach Noelle Rooke. The Bears are now 4-8 on the year as they approach conference play.

Georgia Tech Regency Suites Invitational
Mercer 0, Samford 3
The Bears opened their play at the Georgia Tech Regency Suites Invitational with a loss to Samford by the score of 25-10, 25-22, 25-18 on Sept. 9. The Bears were outhit and outperformed in digs by the Bulldogs. However, the Bears were able to outblock the Bulldogs 7.5 to 5.0. Jennifer Katona led the Bears with six kills, and she had her third straight match with a hitting percentage above .270 (.273). Amiee Frutchey and Emily Rochefort led the team with nine digs each, accounting for half of the team’s digs between the two of them. Charlayna Braxton had more than half the blocks for the Bears with 4.0. Madeline Dolny had nine assists to lead the team. Samford was able to stay undefeated on the year behind stellar play from their two juniors: Emily Neisler and Lauren Hutchinson.

Mercer 0, Georgia Tech 3
The Bears were unable to make a dent in the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, despite going to tiebreakers in two of the three sets on Sept. 10. They lost 25-15, 26-24, 28-26. In this match, Charlotte Harris, the senior libero, passed 1,000 digs in her career with nine against the Yellow Jackets. When asked about what that career mark meant to her, Harris said, “Breaking 1,000 digs is a huge step for me in my career. I am very proud to have done so but I have many more goals I want to accomplish before the season is over.” In addition to Harris’ feat, Jennifer Katona was able to record 10 kills on just 19 swings. Tech was too strong, though, and they improved to 6-2 on the year.
Mercer 3, Georgia 2
The Mercer Bears won their second match of the season on the afternoon of Sept. 10 against the in-state rival Georgia Bulldogs 15-25, 25-18, 22-25, 25-21, 15-11. It was also the second time that Mercer has defeated an SEC program under Coach Rooke, and it was the first time that Mercer has ever defeated Georgia in school history. Amiee Frutchey and Jennifer Katona had 15 and 13 kills respectively, spearheading an attack that was the upset of the tournament. Anna Coursey and Jamie Duffy each added 10 kills to that as well. Madeline Dolny had 29 assists and 11 digs in his first-career double-double. Charlotte Harris added 15 more, bringing her career total to 1,023 through the Georgia game. She had this to say about what the Georgia game has done for the team in general: “As a team, we had a huge win on Saturday night over Georgia. I think the win will give us the confidence we need to accomplish our goals during conference play. Coming together as a team is our biggest hurdle. We are definitely beginning to do so and if we continue playing the way we are, we will be successful come conference time.” Her thoughts are echoed by her teammates and her coach.
Mercer 3, Georgia State 0
Mercer beat Georgia State for just the fifth time in 37 meetings with the Panthers, and it was the third time that Coach Noelle Rooke’s squad has beaten them in her time at Mercer. The Bears won 25-23, 25-20, 25-23, with the score showing how close the match really was. Anna Coursey led the way with 10 kills on Sept. 13. Jamie Duffy’s 23 digs led the Bears, but Charlotte Harris had 20, upping her career total to 1,043. Each set was not without drama, and Mercer’s leaders performed well with clutch points and capitalizing well on Georgia State mistakes.

Mercer 3, Florida A&M 1
On Sept. 17, the Mercer Bears dropped the first set but rallied to win the home match against the Florida A&M Rattlers 22-25, 25-19, 25-16, 25-22. Mercer improved to 4-8 on the year with the thrilling come-from-behind victory. Charlotte Harris upped her career total of digs to 1,058 with 15 more, just as Jennifer Katona had 16 kills to lead the team. Anna Coursey added 10 more.

Mercer goes on the road to Troy on Tuesday, but they open conference play against Lipscomb at home on Sept. 23. The Bears look to knock off the defending champions.

player spotlight: #8 Charlayna Braxton

By:
Published Sep 21, in Sports

Junior volleyball player Charlayna Braxton enjoys the team aesthetic the Mercer volleyball team offers. The Powder Springs native sat down with The Cluster to answer a few questions.
Cluster: When did you first begin playing volleyball?
Braxton: I began playing volleyball in middle school. When I tried out for junior varsity in ninth grade, we had a new coach. One day she pulled me over and said, “You are playing varsity.” She saw my potential, and I have been loving volleyball ever since.
C: Did you play any other sports in high school?
B: Yes; I was really good at track. I pretty much thought that I was going to college for track. The team aspect changed that for me. In track, if you are good, you are good. In volleyball you need six people to win.
C: Before attending Mercer, you attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham; what factor made you want to make a change?
B: Definitely the team and the coach. I did not really mesh as well with the team. It was kind of like a bunch of individuals. At Mercer, I loved how the coach had so much energy and she actually loves what she does.
C: How do you feel the coaching styles differed as far as helping your game to improve?
B: She (Coach Rooke) is definitely more vibrant and excited about what she does. We still get excited and encourage each other versus just doing your job.
C: How do you prepare for a game? Do you have a pre-game ritual?
B: We usually go into our team room and we blast music really loud.
We usually play songs by LMFAO and weird techno music.
C: What is one thing that Coach Rooke has told you that has stuck with you?
B: Believe in Mercer Volleyball. Our record does not show how much work we have done. Every year she never gives up, and she keeps on [encouraging] us to be better. Although our record is 2-8, we love what we do. We represent what we do, because we know the hard work we put into it. We are not ashamed, because we know we are working hard. We beat the University of Georgia, so it shows that we are working.
C: Who are some of your favorite professional volleyball players?
B: Definitely Misty May and Kerri Walsh. I know a lot of people say that, but they are just awesome. The way they played during their college careers and played with such finesse, you can tell they are just like regular people. They still celebrate and cheer for each other. They are not so robotic and cocky.
C: What are some personal goals that you have set for yourself this season?
B: I want to be an offensive and defensive threat on the court. That is my job as a middle blocker, and that means getting a great number of blocks and kills. I want us to also make it to the conference finals, and we have a great opportunity to than ever before.

Support the Lady Bears on Sept. 23 as they take on Lipscomb in their first conference matchup of the season. It is one of two consecutive matchups versus conference opponents at home that weekend (the other being Belmont).

Recreational leagues set to kick off in early September

By:
Published Aug 18, in Sports

Make way for another exciting year with the annual intramural leagues. Designed with all the student body in mind, these programs have all kinds of sporting activities that can suit the taste of even the pickiest of Mercer sports enthusiasts.
Coming this fall, Mercer offers season-long leagues of soccer, football and volleyball. If that weren’t enough, the Intramurals program also offers tournaments of three-on-three basketball, ultimate Frisbee, tennis, table tennis, and the sport that tells of the tale of underdogs, dodgeball.
As the program has developed through the years, it is now required for any participating members to sign up for an account on IMleagues.com before participating in these events. The team captains can sign up and create his/her team by visiting the website as well. Once a team has been created, a captain’s meeting will be held before the start of the season in order to explain the overall rules and regulations of the event. Once teams have been briefed by their team captain’s on how the sport and leagues are to be played, games will begin.
To go along with the obvious camaraderie that intramurals bring, the events carry a sense of competition and edge like nothing else. Whether it is the friends becoming foes or foes becoming friends, there is nothing like stepping onto a field or court a few times a week with peers that sit alongside us in classrooms.
This fall, whether you are a fan of futbol or American football, one thing is entirely certain, days are going to come, days or going to go, games will be played and champions will be crowned.
Sign up for intramurals today at IMleagues.com and take a step closer to garnering the all-desired championship t-shirts.

Entry Dates:
Soccer:
Deadline to register is Aug. 29.
Playing dates (tentative) are Sept. 1 to Oct. 4.

Football:
Deadline to register (tentative) is Oct. 5.
Playing dates (tentative) are Oct. 10 to Nov. 21.

Volleyball:
Deadline to register (tentative) is Nov. 9.
Playing dates (tentative) are Nov. 15 to Dec. 8.

3v3 Basketball – Sept. 7
Ultimate – Sept. 21
Tennis Singles – Oct. 12
Table Tennis – Oct. 19
Dodgeball – Oct. 26

Fall 2010 Champions:
Soccer
Co-Rec: Phi Delt &
Phi Mu
Men’s Comp: ThatsWhatSheSaid
Men’s Rec: TalkinBout      Rampage
Women’s: Chi Omega

Football:
Co-Rec: ADPi/ATO
Men’s Comp: The Has Bens
Men’s Rec: Public Enema
Women’s: WANTED

Volleyball:
Co-Rec: A-Sun Champs
Men’s Comp: ATO
Men’s Rec: Circle the Wagons
Women’s: Phi Mu

coach Spotlight: volleyball’s Noelle Rooke

Veteran coach preps for seventh season at Mercer

By:
Published Apr 27, in Sports

(Photo courtesy of Alex Lockwood) After coaching the volleyball team for six years, Rooke will explore sand volleyball next spring with many of her same players.

Head volleyball coach Noelle Rooke led her Lady Bears through a tough schedule this season. While preparing for the emerging sand volleyball team, Coach Rooke sat down with The Cluster to answer a few questions.

Cluster: Although your team had a tough schedule this season, what changes do you hope to implement next season?

Rooke: I scheduled a very tough non-conference schedule. We opened up the season playing the University of Washington, who is ranked number eight in the nation. We had a very tough non-conference schedule in the hopes that it would prepare us for conference, which in return it did. We had a winning record in the conference tournament and were very successful. As far as changes for next year, I just dialed it down a little bit. We are still playing some of the powerhouses, just maybe not as tough.

C: How did you first get started playing volleyball?

R: I was born and raised in California, so I grew up on the beach and used to play soccer and volleyball. I started playing sand volleyball before I ever stepped foot indoors. I am excited to coach both next school year, with sand volleyball being the newest NCAA emerging sport. I get to coach both and have players play indoor volleyball in the fall and sand volleyball in the spring.

C: What will be your outline for the upcoming sand volleyball program?

R: Ten of the girls on the team will end up being dual athletes. With sand volleyball you have to have five teams, with two players per team. I have a couple of current returns who I know will be playing on the sand (volleyball) team, as well as my incoming players.

C: How does playing sand volleyball differ in strategy versus indoor volleyball?

R: They are two completely different sports. You have the climate that plays a huge factor, with the sun and the wind. With only having two players it forces each girl to be better all around. In return, that will help them be better for indoor.

C: Is there a motto that you coach by?

R: If you ask any player on my team they would tell you my motto is honesty is the best policy. I am very big on trying to mold my student-athletes to be good people, as well as good students and athletes. I ask every one of my players to maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher, which will look better when you graduate and go on to post-graduate schools and jobs. We are also very big on competing. I am very big on these girls competing at the highest level that they can to be the best that they can for this program.

C: Who has influenced you the most in your career as a volleyball coach?

R: My college coach was a big influence on me. She is the one who saw the characteristics in me to be a good coach. I also have some professional athletes within the sport of volleyball that I look up to, such as Misty May. I think that they have definitely represented themselves well for our sport, and they are huge role models for me.

Mercer students have something to look forward to as its newest sport, sand volleyball, commences in the spring of next year.