Frosh Star for W. Volleyball

Even before the season began, things were looking up for the Harvard women’s volleyball team.

The Crimson welcomed its most highly regarded recruiting class in memory, featuring the Ivy League’s first female high school All-American, Pernilla Schweitzer. Despite having a very young roster, Harvard was eager to improve on a 3-4 Ivy mark in 2000.

But after racing to a quick start, Harvard struggled to close out games down the stretch and finished the season a disappointing 10-14, including 3-11 in the league. The team was forced to accept 2001 as a rebuilding year.

“Even though our season ended on a three-game skid, we played harder in the last two games than we had much of the season,” said sophomore Amy Asare after the final match of the season. “I feel like we can use this season as a guide to what we need to work on team-wise.”

The three-game skid was part of a larger swoon that swallowed most of the Ivy season. After starting the season with four straight wins, the Crimson owned an 8-4 record midway through the season. But the meat of the Ivy season brought a disheartening 2-10 finish.

Despite the final record, there were many positives for the Crimson.

Freshman middle hitter Kaego Ogbechie emerged as the Ivy League’s new star, claiming Rookie of the Year honors as well as honorable mention all-league status. Ogbechie finished eighth in the league in kills per game with 3.71 and led the Crimson with 1.09 blocks per game.

Schweitzer led the team in digs and was fourth in kills per game.

“[Schweitzer and Ogbechie] work really well with the rest of the team,” said junior captain Mindy Jellin. “They are a mature part of the team and we all know that we can count on them.”

The freshmen weren’t the only major contributors for Harvard. The team was led all season by co-captains Erin Denniston and Jellin.

Denniston, the team’s lone senior, completed her Harvard career in style as a Second Team All-Ivy honoree. Harvard’s all-time career kills leader, with 1,474 to her name, Denniston led the team with 3.80 kills per game. More importantly, Denniston provided guidance to a team featuring only three upperclassmen.

“Denniston’s leadership and presence on the court have gained the respect of the team,” said Harvard Coach Jennifer Weiss.

Jellin, the team’s setter, dished 12.61 assists per game and combined with Denniston to provide leadership to the young squad, a role she will assume again next season as one of only two seniors.

“The captains are really keeping us together,” Weiss said during the season. “Erin and Mindy have truly dedicated themselves to this team and have put the team’s success before their own.”

With only Denniston lost to graduation, 2002 could see a vast improvement on this season’s sixth-place league finish.

“Although we will miss Erin, who was our star hitter, the rest of the team is coming back and I think we will turn it around next season,” Asare said.

WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL

RECORD 10-14 (3-11 Ivy, 6th place)

COACH Jennifer Weiss

Captains Mindy Jellin, Erin Denniston

Highlights Senior Erin Denniston breaks the school record for kills and takes home Second Team All-Ivy honors. Freshman Pernilla Schweitzer becomes the first high school All-American to play in the Ivy League.