DeKalb Native Wagner Named to 2015 UW-Whitewater Volleyball Roster

2015 Sep 3

Courtney Wagner, a native of DeKalb, IL, and graduate of DeKalb High School, will compete for the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater volleyball team during the 2015 season.

Wagner, a sophomore for the Warhawks, is majoring in physical education.

UW-Whitewater begins play this Friday and Saturday at the Elmhurst (Ill.) Invitational.

See below for a season preview of the 2015 Warhawks.

2015 UW-Whitewater Volleyball Preview: Warhawks Aim for WIAC Title

Over the last two-plus decades, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater volleyball team has been a model for consistency and success.

The Warhawks have made 23 consecutive appearances in the NCAA Division III Tournament, and have won a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference best 15 regular season titles, including 12 since 1993.

Despite the loss of three All-Americans, including 2014 WIAC Defensive Player of the Year Kelsey Nobilio, to graduation, there is no reason to believe UW-Whitewater won't continue its vast run of achievement in 2015.

The Warhawks are ranked 24th in the nation by the American Volleyball Coaches Association, and were picked to finish second in the WIAC standings in a poll of the league's coaches and sports information directors.

The Warhawks will be led by a veteran coaching staff in 2015. It includes 11th-year head coach Stacy Boudreau and assistant Ben Staupe, who enters his sixth season with the program.

"I think we've got some great upperclassmen who have jumped into leadership roles and have done well with it," Boudreau said. "This team has very good team chemistry. The players enjoy being with each other, enjoy working hard and are embracing the team aspect of volleyball."

Last season, UW-Whitewater claimed a share of the WIAC regular season championship and finished with a 26-9 record overall. The Warhawks will be challenged by a rigorous 2015 schedule.

UW-Whitewater's 32-match slate features 13 contests against teams that competed in the 2014 NCAA Tournament.

After playing its first nine matches away from home, including a two-day, four-match tournament at Colorado College (Sept. 11-12), the Warhawks open the home portion of their slate on Sept. 16 against Elmhurst (Ill.), the team which defeated UW-Whitewater in five sets in the first round of last season's NCAA Tournament.

"It'll be very good for our team to see how we match up against these teams," Boudreau said. "We'll try and find the right combinations to make our team successful.

"We want to see our players stick together out on the court and make sure that they're focusing on the team first. We want to go out and compete for every single point no matter who's on the other side of the net, and try and make UW-Whitewater better."

Other season highlights include two home tournaments to be hosted by the Warhawks on Sept. 25-26 and Oct. 23-24. UW-Whitewater will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the program's 2005 national championship during its match against Williams (Mass.) on Sept. 25 at 7 p.m.

"That team stepped onto the court and was extremely competitive and confident," Boudreau said. "They pushed every single point. That was a team that got better throughout the season and peaked at the right time.

"It will be fun to have them back. I can't believe it's been 10 years."

Dig Panici Night, an annual night in honor of former Warhawk Lisa Panici, who passed away of brain cancer in December 2012, is scheduled for Oct. 23 as part of the team's match against St. Catherine's (Minn.) at 7 p.m.

"It's a huge night for those of us lucky enough to know Lisa," Boudreau said. "It's very special for us to be able to remember her that night and bring her spirit back to the gym. It's special to see the campus continue to remember and embrace her family and the volleyball program."

The Warhawks visit UW-Stevens Point, the 2014 WIAC regular season co-champion and a national semifinalist a year ago, on Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. The team will celebrate Senior Night on Oct. 30 against UW-Eau Claire before closing the regular season at home against Dominican (Ill.) on Oct. 31.

UW-Whitewater returns several players that should make it competitive for another conference title and a return trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Senior Jessica Sabey and junior Lauren Pfeifer, a pair of outside hitters, return as starters for the Warhawks. Sabey totaled 344 kills and led the team and finished fifth in the WIAC with 2.97 kills per set. Pfeifer was named first team All-WIAC and honorable mention All-Midwest Region by the AVCA after leading the team with 354 kills (2.95 per set) and adding 90 blocks and 26 service aces.

Pfeifer will look to lead the Warhawks in filling several offensive slots left vacated due to graduation.

"Lauren has been a starter for us for two years, including her freshman year, which is rare in volleyball," Boudreau said. "She's been the Freshman of the Year, all-conference and all-region, and she's going to have to do it again for us this year."

Senior defensive specialist Jaclyn Krizka and junior libero Tessa Weber also return with significant experience. Krizka finished second on the team in digs (338, 2.75 per set) and appeared in all 35 matches a year ago. Weber led the conference with 53 service aces and tallied 253 digs (2.18 per set).

Sabey and Krizka will serve as team captains.

"They do it all on the court and off the court," Boudreau said Sabey and Krizka. "They're vocal leaders, great organizers and great planners. They're very good at details and communicating with the team on what needs to happen."

Sophomore middle hitter Courtney Wagner appeared in 21 matches in 2014, posting 29 kills, 15 blocks and 14 service aces. Senior right side hitter Brittney Langley played in 18 matches, finishing with 96 kills (2.23 per set) and 25 blocks.

"Brittney is a leader by example on the court," Boudreau said. "She's aggressive, and able to communicate with each player."

Other returners include junior setter Staci Hasler, junior middle hitter Morgan Parker and sophomore outside hitter Kennedy McNeil. Hasler and Parker combined to appear in 12 matches, while McNeil played in two.

Hasler started as an outside hitter as a freshman in 2013 and has transitioned nicely into the setter role after dealing with injuries in 2014.

"Staci is an athlete and a very good leader," Boudreau said. "It's been fun to see her coming into her own as a setter. She provides us with a big block in that position. She's still learning the position, but she's doing a really good job."

Freshmen and Other Newcomers: Angelika Pointer - Jr., MH; Morgan Strzok - Jr., OH; Erin Lyman - So., OH; Sydney Racky - So., RS; Kelley Berk - Fr., MH; Morgan Meade - Fr., S; Elizabeth Niestrom - Fr., S; Brittany Robinson - Fr., DS; Kalene Ruemler - Fr., OH; Amanda Spera - Fr., MH

For more information, visit the UW-Whitewater volleyball Web page.