Indiana University Athletics
A Q&A with Katie Weismiller
8/16/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
BLOOMINGTON, IND. -- With opening day of the volleyball season exactly two weeks away, head coach Katie Weismiller's charges are in the midst of training camp in preparation for their season opener vs. Kent State at the Miami (Fla.) Tournament on Friday, August 29.
Weismiller has been more than pleased with increased depth, Christina Archibald and Nikki Hill's return from injury, and the improved play of sophomore Ashley White.
What are your early impressions of training camp?: "The biggest positive is that we are improving every day. Gosh, we have a lot of returnees. We only lost one player from last year but we have six newcomers. We're taking baby steps right now but we are learning a lot. This is a great refresher course for the returnees. Each day we are improving and that's a good sign."
What has been the nicest thing about having a 15-person roster?: "It certainly changes our coaching. In the past we've had to give people rest, stop, shag balls a little longer, or take a little longer drink break. Now I've got outsides who are frustrated because they want to get on the court. They're hungry because playing time isn't as plentiful as it was in the past. That's a great plus and also to have two setters (Victoria Zimmerman, Tasha Arsenych)--two good setters. That's really helped us. Our play is picking up. We're still working on basics and I think they are eager into getting more into competition."
Who has been the biggest positive surprise of training camp?: "The returnees who we know are good are doing well. The biggest surprise right now might be Ashley White. She's really focused and is concentrating on her play. She's really working hard and that's a big plus for us because her offense has picked up. She's also really working hard on defense. I'd say for the returnees, it's been Ashley. Obviously, being able to see Nikki Hill and Christina Archibald jump has been nice after both of them missed all of last spring because of injury. It's nice to see them back in action but expectations are high for them anyway."
In what area do you need to see most improvement?: "Our defense definitely has to pick up. Our offense has been pretty strong but our defense has to be better, and when I say defense I mean both our blocking and back row. Our passing, which we haven't had a lot of reps with, has to improve but it's going to. We haven't been in rotations yet but when we have key people passing it's going to make our offense a little smoother."
Indiana will host an intrasquad scrimmage on Saturday, August 23, from 2:00-5:00 p.m.
