2009 hillsdale college volleyball media guide

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Hillsdale College Hillsdale College VolleyballVolleyball

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Table of Contents

Team Picture ........................... Inside Front CoverTable of Contents ..................................................... Season Preview .................................................Head Coach Chris Gravel ......................................Assistant Coaches .....................................................Support Staff ..............................................................Numerical/Alphabetical Roster .........................Meet the Players .......................................................Brogan Wells ..............................................................Amanda Bigney ...........................................................Morgan Podkul ........................................................Sydney Dow ................................................................Hannah Barrett ......................................................Rachel VanderWall ................................................Ashlee Crowder .......................................................Clara Leutheuser ...................................................Amanda Geelhoed ...................................................Apryl Schmucker .....................................................Emily Bennett ...........................................................Lauren Grover/Kaleigh Shuster .......................Puerto Rico Trip ................................................- Charger Statistics .........................................Charger Volleyball Records ..............................Charger teams in NCAA Tournament ........-Charger All-Americans ........................................Charger Volleyball History............................... GLIAC Standings ............................................. GLIAC Statistics .............................................About Hillsdale College .....................................President Dr. Larry Arnn .....................................Senior Salute ............................ Inside Back Cover Schedule ........................................Back Cover

Media Guide credits: Th e 2009 Hillsdale College volleyball media guide was writ-ten and designed by Brad Monastiere. Design assistance by Katie Botsis. Action photos by Mark Rogers and Brad Monastiere. Cover photographed by Pete Mowry. Special thanks to the Hillsdale Fire Department for use of its truck for the cover. Puerto Rico pictures courtesy of members of the Charger volleyball team.

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Chargers turn youth into experience, enter 2009 with high expectationsThe 2008 Hillsdale College may be looked at as a year of transition

for the program. Led by a senior setter, the Chargers trotted out the youngest playing lineup of any team in the GLIAC.

With all fi ve of the team’s freshmen receiving considerable playing time throughout the season, the team had to fi nd its way through the minefi eld known as GLIAC volleyball. Although the 2008 season ended with a 3-1 loss to Wayne State in the fi rst round of the conference tournament, head coach Chris Gravel said he feels like his young team is ready to turn that experience into success in 2009.

“We had a team that learned on the job last year,” Gravel said. “Th ere were some struggles that came with that. But I am very pleased with the way our team has used that experience, and we’ve grown a lot and matured a lot since the end of last year.”

Like last year’s team, the 2009 Chargers will be led by two seniors, each of whom are expected to play big roles on the team this season.

Middle hitters Emily Bennett and Hannah Barrett represent this year’s senior class, and both do an excellent job at leading the team on and off the court, and setting great examples for their younger teammates with their dedication and work ethic. Th is class has enjoyed a lot of success over the course of its career, and with 20 wins this season, can go down as the win-ningest class in Hillsdale College volleyball history.

Bennett had her best season in 2008, and was named honorable men-tion All-GLIAC. She’s been one of the team’s most effi cient hitters over the past two years and led the conference in hitting percentage in 2008.

Barrett could spend time at both middle hitter and right-side hitter, and brings a good dose of athleticism to the front row set of players.

Th e junior class is led by Second-Team All-GLIAC libero Sydney Dow, who emerged as one of the best at her position in the conference. She was one of the team’s best servers and passers, and will be asked to fi ll a greater leadership role on the team in 2009.

Fellow juniors Amanda Bigney and Rachel VanderWall have also im-proved their all-around skills in the off season. Bigney is an explosive out-side hitter who is a terrifi c jumper and strong hitter. VanderWall can play in the back row and front row and is one of the team’s most determined workers.

An already talented sophomore class will be bolstered by the addition of Amanda Geelhoed, who had to sit out the 2008 season due to injury. One of the team’s smartest players, Geelhoed will help turn the middle hit-ter spot into a position of strength for the team this season.

Joining “Gilly” in the middle will be sophomore Clara Leutheuser, who got her career off to a very promising start in 2008. She ranked among the GLIAC leaders in blocks and hitting percentage as a freshman.

No freshman in the conference was as good as outside hitter Ashlee Crowder, who became the second player in school history to be named the GLIAC Freshman of the Year. Crowder led the team with 333 kills, the most by a freshman in school history.

Sophomore Apryl Schmucker will step in as the team’s starting setter this season, fi lling the shoes of one of Hillsdale’s all-time great volleyball players, Stephanie Booms. Schmucker played well in limited time last year, and has soft hands, an excellent serve, and is a capable hitter. Coach Gravel believes Schmucker has a chance to become one of the GLIAC’s best setters in her fi rst year as a starter.

Sophomores Morgan Podkul and Brogan Wells form a terrifi c back-

row foundation for years to come for the Chargers. Podkul played in every match last year and distinguished herself as a tough and skilled defensive specialist. Wells can play setter or DS, and was a strong server in her lim-ited time on the court last year. Both players are steady and excel in big matches.

Th is year’s freshman class is made up of two players: Lauren Grover and Kaleigh Shuster. Grover is a 6-foot-2 middle hitter from Columbus, Ohio. Shuster’s father Jim played basketball at Hillsdale from 1981-85. Shuster can play all the way around and is an excellent jumper.

Junior Sydney Dow was named Second-Team All-GLIAC in 2008 and is expected to carry more of a leadership role on the team in 2009.

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Underneath the sly smile and laid-back demeanor burns the heart of a champion and competitor in Hillsdale College volleyball coach Chris Gravel.

Now entering his 14th season as the head coach of the program, Gravel has guided the Chargers into the upper echelon of Division II volleyball programs nationwide. Since 2005, the Chargers have the top overall record among all South Division teams, and rank only behind Grand Valley State in won-loss percentage in the GLIAC.

“Anyone who is in coaching understands that success gets traced back to the players you have,” Gravel said. “I’ve been extremely fortunate to have great players who are also great people throughout my time here at Hillsdale.”

Gravel is the volleyball program’s all-time winningest coach, and won a milestone 250th career match on Oct. 10, 2008 in a 3-0 sweep over Lake Superior State. He has been named GLIAC Coach of the Year in 1999 and 2006.

With the success came plenty of national attention last year, both for Gravel and the program at large. But through it all, he maintained the humble and lighthearted personality that make him the kind of coach players love to play for.

Gravel has guided the Chargers into the GLIAC postseason tournament in 12 of his fi rst 13 seasons as coach. His teams have also qualifi ed for the NCAA Division II Regional Tournament four of the past fi ve years.

Gravel was the guiding force behind back-to-back All-American players, Taryn Rudland (2006) and Melissa Bartlett (2007). Since 2006, his plyaers have received All-GLIAC recognition 14 times, and in 2008, Stephanie Booms was the recipient of the prestigious GLIAC Commissioner’s Award.

As much as his team and players have achieved on the volleyball court, the team has excelled off the court. Since 2004, more than half of all the players who have suited up for Gravel have been named to the GLIAC All-Academic Team. Th e Charger team was honored by the AVCA for its academic success four years in a row earlier this decade. Since 2003, two of Gravel’s players have been named GLIAC Freshman of the Year, and two have earned GLIAC Player of the Year accolades.

Coach Chris Gravel continues to pursue excellence in 14th season

Head coach Chris Gravel poses for a picture in Puerto Rico with his wife Stephanie, and their daughter Brooklyn. Chris and Stephanie are entering their 14th season guiding the Charger program, and have placed the team among the elite in the GLIAC over the past several seasons.

Head coach Chris Gravel seeks some pre-game advice from assistant coach and wife Stephanie Gravel. Together, they have built the Charger volleyball program into a nationally respected team during their 13 seasons with the school.

“I feel great about the position our program is in today,” Gravel said. “But I want to win a national championship. Th at’s the long-range goal I have in mind every day when I’m coaching our players. I want their goals to match mine, because the kind of eff ort and dedication I demand from them, combined with what they give, can allow us to achieve our goals.”

In the 2008-09 academic year, Gravel had the title of “Assistant Athletic Director” added to his title by fi rst-year Athletic Director Don Brubacher. Gravel now has more authority in the day-to-day running of the athletic department.

Prior to taking over the Charger program, Gravel served as an assistant coach at fellow GLIAC schools Grand Valley State and Wayne State. A 1990 graduate of GVSU, Gravel has also coached at the club and high school levels in the state of Michigan.

Always by his side, in coaching and in life, is his wife of 12 years, Stephanie. Th ey have an eight-year-old daughter, Brooklynn, and they reside in Osseo.

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Associate Coach

Stephanie Gravel

Assistant Coach

Rick Langston

Sports Information

Director

Brad Monastiere

Gravel doesn’t have to look far for great support from his coaching staff . His wife of 12 years, associate head coach Stephanie Gravel is also in her 14th year on the Charger volleyball coaching staff . Stephanie played collegiately at Schoolcraft College in Livonia, later transferring to Grand Valley where she was a two-year captain for the Lakers.

Stephanie’s teams at Schoolcraft qualifi ed for the national tournament twice during her career there. Stephanie does extensive traveling, recruiting and fundraising for the volleyball program. She works closely with players on technique, training and teamwork concepts. She is also in charge of countless behind-the-scenes tasks, including player counseling, travel accommodations, camp promotions and recruiting year-round. Stephanie also has experience as head coach at Grandville and Reading High Schools.

Later in her playing career, Stephanie played for the MPVA (Michigan Professional Volleyball Association), where she achieved a No. 13 personal ranking as a player on tour. In high school, she was an All-State and All-Conference player at Brighton High School.

Volleyball has played a big part in Stephanie’s life, but also the lives of her family members. Stephanie’s brother David Jandasek, was an All-American setter for the men’s volleyball team at Ohio State University and played professionally overseas. Her father Joe still competes in open events around the country, and has won many individual and team awards past his 60th birthday. Chris and Steph are the proud parents of eight-year-old Brooklynn.

Brad Monastiere was hired as the Sports Information Director for Hillsdale College on June 6, 2005. He spent the fi rst nine years of his post-college career working as a sportswriter for two diff erent newspaper groups in Oakland County. Just before his appointment with the college,

His duties include issuing press releases, updating and maintaining the school’s athletic website, media relations, general gameday management and keep statistical records on all events.

In November, 2006, Brad served as the tournament director for the Division II Great Lakes Regional Volleyball Tournament, hosted by Hillsdale College. He has also worked as an offi cial statician for the 2007 and 2009 MHSAA state high school volleyball fi nals, as well as the 2007 and 2008 state high school baseball and soft ball fi nals.

In the fall of 2009, Brad will serve his second season as the National Coordinator for the Daktronics Volleyball All-American program.

In June 2008, he received the Grant-Burger Media Award from the AVCA, in recognition of his contributions to the advancement of the sport of volleyball. Only eight such awards went out to Division II SIDs in the country.

Brad is a 1996 graduate of Central Michigan University, with a degree in journalism. He’s won several awards for sportswriting at the collegiate and professional level. Brad and his fi ancée Katie Norris are planning a July 2010 wedding.

Rick Langston is entering his eighth season as assistant coach of the Chargers. Langston is a day-to-day presence at Charger matches and practices. He works diligently on keeping drills on task in practice. When it comes to match times, Langston sets up and organizes important stat-keeping and video programs that assist Chris and Stephanie with evaluating players’ performances at all matches.

Langston played golf at Olivet College, where he was a Division III All-American. He resides in Jonesville with his wife Johncie and children Drew, 10, and Lauren, 6.

Associate coach Stephanie Gravel and assistant coach Rick Langston enjoy the rainforest during the team’s trip to Puerto Rico in March 2009.


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Athletic Director

Don Brubacher

Associate A.D.

Claudette Charney

Head Athletic Trainer

Lynne Neukom

On July 30, 2008, Don Brubacher was named the fi ft h athletic director in the past 54 years at Hillsdale College. Following the strong character and tradition established by people like Jack McAvoy and Dr. Mike Kovalchik is no small task, but it’s one Brubacher has fully embraced entering his second year on the job.

“I’ve been extremely impressed with the quality of coaches, athletes and staff we have here at Hillsdale. Th ey have made this a very easy transition for me,” Brubacher said. “I not only want to maintain the great athletic tradition we have here, but to help our coaches achieve greater success in the future.”

Brubacher knew plenty of success in his nine-year stint as athletic director at Tabor College, an NAIA school located in Hillsboro, Kansas. An alumn of the school, Brubacher coached men’s and women’s basketball at Tabor, as well as men’s and women’s soccer during a career that saw him spend nearly 30 years on the fi eld of play. He takes a lot of pride in his classroom teaching experience as well, and draws many parallels between the experience a college student has in the classroom compared to that on the athletic fi eld.

“Our national search has produced an individual with an impressive understanding of the role that athletics plays in the formation of student character and how character development is essential to the mission of our institution,” said Hillsdale College President Dr. Larry Arnn. “In addition, we have found a man with a long, proven record of success in leading a college athletic program. Don Brubacher will be a perfect fi t here.”

Brubacher’s coaching career saw him earn many Coach of the Year accolades, and he led his men’s basketball teams to 12 conference championships. His women’s soccer teams also won a regular season conference championship, and a postseason tournament conference title.

Brubacher started his college career at Heston College in Kansas, where he played soccer. He then moved on to Tabor College and played soccer and basketball, and was a First-Team All-Conference selection in basketball before his graduation in 1975.

Claudette Charney is entering her eighth season with the Hillsdale Col-lege athletic department, fi lling the roles of both head women’s basketball coach and associate athletic director.

Charney handles all of the NCAA clearinghouse and compliance issues for Hillsdale College, in addition to her coaching duties. She is also the school’s senior woman administrator.

She is coming off the fi nest season of her 20-plus year coaching career, guid-ing the Chargers to the 2008-09 GLIAC championship. She also coached Katie Cezat to becoming the top player in all of Division II in 2008-09. Cezat was named the national player of the year by every organiza-tion and website that covered Division II women’s basketball last year.

Charney is Hillsdale College’s all-time leader in women’s basket-ball coaching wins with 137, and three GLIAC South Division titles in her seven-year tenure. She also coached Hillsdale’s only other All-American player, Stephanie Heid, in 2002-03.

She also served as the head coach at Grand Valley State, and is still the all-time winningest women’s basketball coach at Saginaw Valley State. Charney and her husband, Dr. Mark Kosciuszko, re-side in Hillsdale.

Lynne Neukom is offi cially the head athletic trainer at Hillsdale College starting with the 2009-10 school year. She served in that role on an interim basis in 2008-09.

A lifelong resident of Hillsdale County, Neukom graduated from Hillsdale High School in 1987, and enrolled in Hillsdale College that fall. She graduated in 1991 with a degree in Health and Physical Education. She worked as a graduate assistant for longtime head athletic trainer Paul Beachler, and went on to earn a master’s degree in health education – with an emphasis in athletic training – from Western Michigan University in 1993.

Her husband, Jake is a physical therapist and a certifi ed athletic trainer working for the Hillsdale Community Health Center. He regularly assists with the care of the athletes. Their children are Hannah (8), Jacob (6), and Keturah (4). They reside in Hillsdale.

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Numerical RosterNumerical RosterNo. Name Pos. Yr. Ht. Hometown/High School1 Brogan Wells L/DS So. 5-7 West Bloomfi eld, Mich./Notre Dame Prep3 Amanda Bigney OH Jr. 5-11 Cedar Springs, Mich./Cedar Springs4 Morgan Podkul L/DS So. 5-6 LaPorte, Ind./LaPorte5 Sydney Dow DS/S Jr. 5-5 Jonesville, Mich./Jonesville6 Hannah Barrett MH Sr. 6-1 Coloma, Mich./Coloma9 Lauren Grover MH Fr. 6-2 Columbus, Ohio/Olentangy10 Rachel VanderWall RS/OH Jr. 5-10 Kentwood, Mich./East Kentwood11 Ashlee Crowder OH So. 5-11 Jenison, Mich./Jenison12 Clara Leutheuser MH So. 6-1 Hillsdale, Mich./Hillsdale Academy14 Amanda Geelhoed MH So. 6-0 Grand Rapids, Mich./Lowell15 Apryl Schmucker S So. 6-0 Inman, Kan./Little River16 Emily Bennett MH Sr. 6-3 Neenah, Wisc./Neenah17 Kaleigh Shuster OH Fr. 5-11 Dorr, Mich./Wayland

No. Name Pos. Yr. Ht. Hometown/High School6 Hannah Barrett MH Sr. 6-1 Coloma, Mich./Coloma16 Emily Bennett MH Sr. 6-3 Neenah, Wisc./Neenah3 Amanda Bigney OH Jr. 5-11 Cedar Springs, Mich./Cedar Springs 11 Ashlee Crowder OH So. 5-11 Jenison, Mich./Jenison5 Sydney Dow DS/S Jr. 5-5 Jonesville, Mich./Jonesville14 Amanda Geelhoed MH So. 6-0 Grand Rapids, Mich./Lowell9 Lauren Grover MH Fr. 6-2 Columbus, Ohio/Olentangy12 Clara Leutheuser MH So. 6-1 Hillsdale, Mich./Hillsdale Academy4 Morgan Podkul L/DS So. 5-6 LaPorte, Ind./LaPorte15 Apryl Schmucker S So. 6-0 Inman, Kan./Little River17 Kaleigh Shuster OH Fr. 5-11 Dorr, Mich./Wayland10 Rachel VanderWall RS/OH Jr. 5-10 Kentwood, Mich./East Kentwood1 Brogan Wells L/DS So. 5-7 West Bloomfi eld, Mich./Notre Dame Prep

Alphabetical RosterAlphabetical Roster

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MEET THE PLAYERS

Freshmen

Senio

rs

Senio

rs

Ju

nio

rs

Sophomores

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BroganBrogan

WellsWells

Soph. Defensive Specialist/SetterSoph. Defensive Specialist/Setter5-7 West Bloomfi eld, Mich.5-7 West Bloomfi eld, Mich.Pontiac Notre Dame Prep High SchoolPontiac Notre Dame Prep High School

Will be a key part of team’s back-row rotation for years to come...Plays with heart and athleticism...Can fi ll in as a setter, but will be one of the team’s primary defensive specialists...2008: Saw action in 16 matches, giving the team steady play in the back row...Had a season-high of seven digs at Wayne State Sept. 20...Had fi ve service aces on the season, including two in a home win over Tiffi n Sept. 27.High School: Led Pontiac Notre Dame Prep to fi rst-ever state volleyball championship in 2007...Had 29 assists and 10 digs in Class A state championship match...Team won four conference titles during her career, and led team to fi rst Catholic League A-B title in more than 20 years...Named Th ird-Team All-State by Th e Detroit News...All-League and All-Catholic in 2006 and 2007...Broke school record for assists in a season (1,071) as a junior...Played on the right side in addition to being the team’s top defensive specialist and libero...Played for Club Unifi ed 16 National in 2006 and Club Legacy 18 National in 2007...Served as Student Council President in 2007-08, and was a representative on the student council from 2004-06...Born Aug. 30, 1990...Parents are Kent and Debra.

Season SP K K/S E TA Pct. A SA SE DIG BS BA TB2008 34 2 0.06 2 15 .000 3 5 5 33 0 0 0Career 34 2 0.06 2 15 .000 3 5 5 33 0 0 0

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One of the most powerful hitters on the team, has great leaping ability...Will be a featured player on off ense this season...2008: Saw action in 24 matches and fi nished third on the team with 2.68 kills per set...Had double fi gures in kills six times, and had a team-season high of 20 kills at Wayne State Sept. 20...Notched 16 kills against Bellarmine in the Findlay Tournament Sept. 5...Had a career-high 20 total blocks on the season...2007: Emerged as a productive off ensive player in the second half of the season...Had 24 kills in the team’s NCAA Regional match vs. Indianapolis...Added 12 kills in the team’s GLIAC tournament fi rst-round win over Saginaw Valley State...Had fi ve or more kills in nine of the team’s last 12 matches of the season...High School: Th ree-year starter at Cedar Springs High School, playing mostly at the left -side hitter position...Two-time All-Conference selection...Voted team captain and team MVP aft er her senior year...Rang up 473 kills and 76 service aces, both team-highs...Named to the “Advance” All-Area team for the Northern Michigan area...Also an outstanding track athlete...Four-time All-Conference track athlete, with multiple regional titles in the shot put event...Holds school record for most career points in girls track, and was a four-time state qualifi er in track, one of two such athletes in Cedar Springs High School history...Holds and shares fi ve school records in shot put, discus, 400 meter relay, 800 meter relay and the 100 meter dash...Youngest of four children...Born Nov. 3, 1989...Parents are Lloyd and Christine.

Season SP K K/S E TA Pct. A SA SE DIG BS BA TB2007 48 138 2.88 59 338 .234 4 0 5 26 0 16 162008 57 153 2.68 76 403 .191 2 4 5 28 1 19 20Career 105 291 2.77 135 741 .211 6 4 10 54 1 35 36

AmandaAmanda

BigneyBigney

Jr. Outside HitterJr. Outside Hitter5-11 Cedar Springs, Mich.5-11 Cedar Springs, Mich.Cedar Springs High SchoolCedar Springs High School

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Tough-minded defensive specialist who is primed to become one of the GLIAC’s top back-row players in 2009...One of top servers on the team...2008: One of two players on the team to play in every set during the season (107, Sydney Dow)...Had fi ve double-digit dig matches, with a season-high of 20 in a win at Ashland Oct. 24...Finished second on the team with 230 digs, and was tied with fellow freshman Ashlee Crowder for the team lead in service aces with 25...Started 12 of the team’s 30 matches...High School:Three-year varsity starter for the Slicers of LaPorte High School...Recorded 523 assists as a senior in 2007-08, leading team to 36-7 record...Named school’s Athlete of the Month, and earned Academic All-State honors as a senior...Named Most Outstanding Underclassman Athlete of the Year in 2005-06...IHSAA Player of the Week in 2006...Led conference in assists and was second in service aces...Team won three straight conference titles, and was sectional champions twice...Was part of the yearbook staff for two years and was the sports editor of the yearbook in 2007-08...Also member of the Art Club and National Honor Society...Played for Network VBC Club...Her Junior Olympic team won its division title in 2006...Born March 1, 1990...Parents are Richard and Kathy.

Season SP K K/S E TA Pct. A SA SE DIG BS BA TB2008 107 7 0.07 8 50 -.020 17 25 10 230 0 0 0Career 107 7 0.07 8 50 -.020 17 25 10 250 0 0 0

MorganMorgan

PodkulPodkul

Soph. Libero/Defensive SpecialistSoph. Libero/Defensive Specialist5-6 LaPorte, Ind.5-6 LaPorte, Ind.LaPorte High SchoolLaPorte High School

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1111

Season SP K K/S E TA Pct. A SA SE DIG BS BA TB2007 120 3 0.03 4 24 -.042 11 36 31 302 0 0 02008 107 5 0.05 7 69 -.020 30 22 30 489 0 0 0Career 227 8 0.04 11 93 -.032 41 58 61 791 0 0 0

SydneySydney

DowDow

Jr. LiberoJr. Libero5-5 Jonesville, Mich.5-5 Jonesville, Mich.Jonesville High SchoolJonesville High School

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2008: Named Second-Team All-GLIAC aft er showing big improvement in all aspects of her game...Finished the regular season leading the GLIAC in digs per set with 4.57...Started all 30 matches as the team’s libero...Emerged as one of the team’s main on-court leaders this season...Had six 20-dig matches, including four in a row in October...Had a season-high of 31 digs in a home match against Michigan Tech Sept. 27...Second on the team with 22 service aces...Had a service aces in her last six consecutive matches...Led team with 413 service attempts...2007: Earned a regular spot in the playing rotation at defensive specialist...Was also one of the team’s top servers...Had a service ace in nine diff erent matches, and generated 10 or more digs in 14 diff erent matches...High School: Four-year starter for the Comets at JonesvilleHigh School...Named to the Jackson Citizen Patriot Dream Team for the 2006-07 season...Named Class C All-Region and named to the First Team All-Big 8 Conference as a setter...Had 248 digs and 81 service aces as a senior...Had a serving percentage of .950...Also played four years of varsity basketball and was an All-County performer in track...Finished seventh in the state in thelong jump at the Division 4 state track meet in 2007...Was also part of the third-place 4x100 relay team at the state fi nals...Has one brother, Shea...Born Feb. 17, 1989...Parents are Scott and Sharon.

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Season SP K K/S E TA Pct. A SA SE DIG BS BA TB2006 8 6 0.75 4 19 .105 0 0 3 0 1 1 22007 50 55 1.10 23 157 .204 0 2 5 5 9 24 332008 73 69 0.95 23 178 .258 9 0 0 14 5 29 34Career 131 130 1.00 50 354 .226 9 2 8 19 15 54 69

HannahHannah

BarrettBarrett

Sr. Middle HitterSr. Middle Hitter6-1 Coloma, Mich.6-1 Coloma, Mich.Coloma High SchoolColoma High School

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2008: Played in a career-high 29 matches, with three starts...Also set a career-high with 69 kills for the season, and had 34 total blocks...Had a season-best seven kills vs. Michigan Tech on Sept. 27...Had two solo blocks against Indiana (Pa.) on Aug. 30...Is also very active in college life around campus, serving in the Hillsdale College chapter of the Student-Athlete Advisory Council...Has been a member of SAAC for three years and served as the organization’s secretary...Also involved in Big Brothers/Big Sisters...Volunteers at the senior center in her hometown of Coloma...2007: Showed great aggressiveness in some of the team’s toughest matches of the season...Had a career-high20 attack attempts at Ferris State Oct. 12...Had 19 attack attempts in the team’s sweep of Ashland in the GLIAC Tournament Semifi nals...2006: Saw action in eightmatches, totaling six kills...High School: Led Coloma High School to four consecutive conference titles in her prepcareer...Named First-Team All-Conference three times...Also named Best Defensive Player and Top Gun (most kills) on high school team...Played for the Midwest Junior club team, based in Mishawaka, Indiana...Sister Chelsea plays volleyball at Gannon University...Born Oct. 1, 1988...Parents are Bonny and Joe.

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1313

Season SP K K/S E TA Pct. A SA SE DIG BS BA TB2007 54 58 1.07 37 196 .107 16 2 6 24 2 14 162008 30 25 0.83 14 62 .177 11 12 6 43 0 12 12Career 84 83 1.00 51 258 .124 27 14 12 67 2 26 28

RachelRachel

VanderWallVanderWall

Jr. Right Side/Outside HitterJr. Right Side/Outside Hitter5-10 East Kentwood, Mich. 5-10 East Kentwood, Mich. East Kentwood High SchoolEast Kentwood High School

1010

Will spend the fi rst part of the 2009 season recovering from offseason surgery...2008: Started six of the 13 matches she played in, contributing to the team in both the front and back rows...Had a season-high fi ve kills in a season-opening win over Mercyhurst...Also had three service aces and six digs in that match...2007: Started very fi rst match of collegiate career againstAbilene Christian at the Florida Southern College Tournament on Aug. 24...Had at least one kill in all but four matches she played in during the season...A versatile player who can play effectively in the front and back rows...High School: Three-year starter for East Kentwood High School, one of the elite prep programs in Michigan...Led Falcons to 2005-06 Class A state championship and a berth in the 2006-07 state semifi nals...Saw playing time at outside hitter and on the right side...Named First-Team All-OK Conference and First-Team All-Region as a senior...Finished with 266 kills, 171 digs, 54 blocks and 30 service aces in her senior year...Part of East Kentwood’s Academic All-State Team, and was also named Academic All-State as an individual...Played for the Far Out Volleyball Club, based in Grand Rapids, for three years...Helped club team to a record of 153-25 in that time...Led team to fi fth-place national fi nish in 2005 and team was state champions in 2003...Also a member of the Grand Rapids Youth Symphony for fi ve years and was fi rst-chair cellist in 2007...Says her dream is to play the cello at Carnegie Hall...Has two younger siblings, Zach, 17, and Elizabeth, 14...Born Nov. 8, 1988...Parents are Bret and Carol.

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AshleeAshlee

CrowderCrowder

Soph. Outside HitterSoph. Outside Hitter6-0 Jenison, Mich.6-0 Jenison, Mich.Jenison High SchoolJenison High School

1111

2008:Named GLIAC Freshman of the Year aft er outstanding rookie season with Chargers...Named Second-Team All-GLIAC...First Charger to be named Freshman of the Year since Taryn Rudland in 2003...Led team with 333 kills...Finished third in the GLIAC in kills per set with a 3.43 mark...Th at puts her in Hillsdale’s all-time top 10 list for most kills per set in a single season...Had 10 or more kills in the team’s last 10 consecutive matches, and had 21 total matches with double-digit kills...Had a season-high of 17 kills on two occasions, vs. Saginaw Valley State on Oct. 11 and at Tiffi n on Oct. 24...Hit a season-best .647 vs. Gannon on Sept. 6...Named to All-Tournament Team at the Towne Place Suites Classic in Findlay in early September...Also led team in total points with 378.5...Tied for team lead with classmate Morgan Podkul with 25 service aces.High School:Led Jenison High School to Class A state championship in 2007...Had 15 kills and hit .480 in state championship match...Th ree-year starter at Jenison and was named First-Team All-State by Th e Detroit News...A fi nalist for 2007 Miss Volleyball Award...Named honorable mention All-Conference in basketball and played soft ball...Member of the FaR Out Volleyball Club, one of the top clubs in Michigan...Member of the school’s honor roll, and served as a peer educatorand won a leadership award from the school...Achieved 3.9 overall grade point average in high school...Born Aug. 13, 1990...Parents are Donald Crowder and Kris VanTimmeren.

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1515


ClaraClara

LeutheuserLeutheuser

Soph. Middle HitterSoph. Middle Hitter6-1 Hillsdale, Mich. 6-1 Hillsdale, Mich. Hillsdale Academy High SchoolHillsdale Academy High School

1212

2008:Enjoyed outstanding freshman season, fi nishing second in the GLIAC in hitting percentage (.344) while becoming one of the team’s most athletic middle hitters...Had at least three kills in every match of the season, and hit .500 or better eight times...Led the team in solo blocks and total blocks, notching 118 total blocks and 28 solos...Ranked fourth in the GLIAC in total blocks...Had a season-high nine total blocks in a Sept. 12 home win over Ashland... Named to All-Tournament Team at the Towne Place Suites Classic in Findlay in early September...Had 11 kills in that match also...Set career-high with 13 kills Sept. 19 at Northwood...Served up two straight service aces to win the match vs. Tiffi n Sept. 13...Had just one other serve during the season.High School:Led Hillsdale Academy to fi rst two appearances in Class D state quarterfi nals as a junior and senior...Named First-Team All-State in volleyball byTh e Detroit News...Was one of 32 statewide recipients of the MHSAA Scholar-Athlete Award...Named to the Jackson Citizen-Patriot Dream Team in 2006-07 and 2007-08...Led Colts to district and regional championships in 2007...Earned 10 All-State honors in track in her prep career...Was state runner-up in 800 meter run at 2008 state track meet...Named Academic All-State three times...Holds or shares eight high school track records...Sister Anna is on Hillsdale College’s track team, and mother Laura was a track All-American for the Chargers in 1984...Grandfather John Willson is an assistant football coach at Hillsdale College, and a member of the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame...Also has a younger sister, Gracie...Born Jan. 28, 1990...Parents are Eric and Laura.

1616


Season SP K K/S E TA Pct. A SA SE DIG BS BA TB2007 37 49 1.32 32 122 .139 2 3 7 3 6 32 382008 Redshirted - did not play due to injuryCareer 37 49 1.32 32 122 .139 2 3 7 3 6 32 38

AmandaAmanda

GeelhoedGeelhoed

Soph. Right Side/Middle HitterSoph. Right Side/Middle Hitter6-0 Grand Rapids, Mich.6-0 Grand Rapids, Mich.Lowell High SchoolLowell High School

1414

2008: Sat out season due to injury...Has three years of eligibility left , starting with the 2009 campaign...2007: Another of the rapidly improving young players on the team...Plays with strength and intelligence in the middle, and has outstanding court awareness...Role in off ense grew as season went along...Had 15 kills in her fi nal fi ve matches of the season, her most productive stretch of the 2007 campaign...Was second on team with 1.03 blocks per game...High School: Highly successful two sport athlete at Lowell High School...Named OK White All-Conference in 2006...Led Red Arrows volleyball team to district title in 2005-06 and conference title in 2006-07...Was also key part of strong girls basketball team that won back-to-back conference, district and regional championships in 2005 and 2006...Starter on basketball team that made the state semifi nals in 2006...Played for USA Michigan and InSide Out club teams...Has two sisters, Hannah and Samie...Born Aug. 19, 1989...Parents are Dan and Cinda.

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1717


AprylApryl

SchmuckerSchmucker

Soph. SetterSoph. Setter6-0 Inman, Kan.6-0 Inman, Kan.Little River High SchoolLittle River High School

1515

2008: Showed consistent improvement in her fi rst season, playing her way into the regular rotation by early October...Second on team in assists...Also contributed as a right-side hitter and has a deadly serve...Averaged more than 11 assists per set in a three-match span in September...Had season-high 25 assists vs. Urbana in home collegiate debut Aug. 30...Had six or more digs in the last six straight matches of the season...Had four kills (no errors), fi ve assists and nine digs in GLIAC Tournament match at Wayne State Nov. 12...High School: Highly decorated athlete at Little River High School, where she is considered one of its best-ever volleyball players...Named the 1A Kansas Player of the Year in 2005-06 and 2006-07...Set school record for service aces...Named First-Team All-State three times...Led team to 122-36 record in her four years as a starter for the Redskins...Team fi nished as state runner-ups in 2005...Recorded 471 service aces, 1,427 kills, 1,396 assists and 142 blocks in her career...Also played basketball and ran track in high school...Member of the Scholars Bowl for four years, the yearbook for one year and the Art Club for four years...Played club volleyball for the Topeka 18’s...Born April 26, 1990...Parents are Bryan and Becky.

1818


Season SP K K/S E TA Pct. A SA SE DIG BS BA TB2006 7 6 0.75 2 11 .364 0 0 0 1 0 1 12007 98 201 2.05 50 456 .331 2 5 4 13 21 56 772008 87 170 1.95 37 362 .367 8 1 0 14 15 45 60Career 192 377 1.96 89 829 .347 10 6 4 28 36 102 138

EmilyEmily

BennettBennett

Sr. Middle HitterSr. Middle Hitter6-3 Neenah, Wisc.6-3 Neenah, Wisc.Neenah High SchoolNeenah High School

1616

2008: Enjoyed her best season as a junior in 2008, leading the GLIAC in hitting percentage while being named honorable mention All-GLIAC...Had a career-high 17 kills at Ashland Oct. 24, and hit .538 in that match...Had 10 or more attack attempts in 14 of the team’s last 17 matches, showing her increased role in the off ense and improved aggressiveness at the net...Hit .391 or better in all four matches in which she had 10 or more kills...Finished second on the team in total blocks...Will spend much of the summer of 2009 coaching in her hometown in Wisconsin...2007: Was thrust into a starting role at middle hitter, and provided valuable off ense aft er rarely playing as a freshman...Led team in attack percentage (.331), ranking her in the top 10 in the conference in that category...Her 77 block assists were second on the team...Achieved a career-high 12 kills in back-to-back matches in one weekend against Northwood and Saginaw Valley (Sept. 14 and 15)...Had 10 or more kills six times...Was even more eff ective in those matches, committing two or fewer attack errors in fi ve of those six matches...Had a plus-10 kill-to-error ratio three times...2006: Saw limited playing time in the middle...Played in seven games with six kills and one block assist...High School: Led Neenah High School to 36-5 record as a senior and was team captain and First-Team All-Conference...Had perfect serving percentage as a senior and led team to fi rst state semifi nal spot since 1988...Won the Spirit Award as a senior...Volunteered at Th eda Clark Hospital and Habitat for Humanity...Worked on her high school yearbook and the health careers academy...Born July 22, 1988...Parents are Mark and Anne.

2


1919

17

Lauren K.Lauren K.

GroverGrover

Fr. Middle HitterFr. Middle Hitter6-2 Columbus, Ohio6-2 Columbus, OhioOlentangy High SchoolOlentangy High School

KaleighKaleigh

ShusterShuster

Fr. Outside HitterFr. Outside Hitter5-11 Dorr, Mich.5-11 Dorr, Mich.Wayland High SchoolWayland High School

99

A big and strong middle hitter, Lauren Grover adds depth to one of the team’s most improved positions...Led Olentangy High School to a perfect home volleyball record in 2008 and won multiple conference and district championships throughout her career...Was named team MVP, First-Team All-Conference three times and First-Team All-District three times...Earned Scholar-Athlete accolades in high school...Played for the Club M m.81 club volleyball team under coach Mike Carter...Had a 3.5 overall grade point average in high school...Volun-teers at the Worthington Christian Retirement Center and has served as a member of the Service Club and DECA, a Columbus-area youth group...Born March 26, 1991...Parents are Steve and Kim Grover, and Renee Grover.

Dynamic all-around player who could see signifi cant play-ing time as a freshman...Can play with skill in both the front row and back row...Was named her high school’s top Scholar-Athlete following her senior season...Set school records at Wayland for kills in a season (684) and total blocks in a season (138)...Hit .650 as a senior and had 79 service aces along with 387 digs...Compiled more than 1,200 kills in her fi nal two seasons and was named First-Team All-Area and First-Team All-Conference twice...Named Wayland High School’s Athlete of the Month in December 2007 and Athlete of the Week in March 2008...Also played basketball and soccer and earned All-County and All-Area honors as a basketball player...Member of the Student Council for four years and volunteers for Project Hope...Played the cello in the school’s orchestra...Played for the prestigious FaR Out volleyball club...Has a stand-ing vertical jump of 9 feet, 3 inches and a block jump of 8 feet, 11 inches...Father James played basketball at Hills-dale College from 1981-85...Born Sept. 23, 1990...Parents are James and Bonny.

Watch Charger volleyball live all season through B2Networks. Check out theHillsdale College athletic website to see how you can watch every home volleyball match

during the 2009 season! Now in its third year partnering with B2Networks, Hillsdale College is pleased to bring fans some of the best-quality webcasts available anywhere!

2020


Puerto Rico!March 15-22, 2009

From March 15-22, the Hillsdale College volleyball team went on a trip to Puerto Rico, where it enjoyed a week of sightseeing, playing matches and sampling a culture none of the players had been exposed to before. Th e team worked hard - their workout on the beach was one of their toughest during an already-tough off season program. But the old fort, the rianforest and a generous sampling of San Juan restaurants ensured that the players had plenty of fun too. Th e team took on the Puerto Rican Junior National team on the court, and although the experience of playing against that kind of competition should help the team in 2009, the experiences the players got in every other aspect of their trip will remain with them for the rest of their lives.

Above, the team gathers for one of many group pictures before making a trip to the beach. Below, the rainforest was one of the team’s favorite locations to visit. Above left , Kittrick Smith and Amanda Geelhoed get a picture taken on the beach. Below left , Brogan Wells, Ashlee Crowder, Hannah Barrett and Morgan Podkul crowd together for a picture during a bus tour.

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Clockwise from above: the team’s three seniors, Hannah Barrett, Emily Bennett and Kittrick Smith, get a picture taken at dinner. Team meals were always a highlight, even if the seating arrangements were diff erent. Brogan Wells, Rachel VanderWall, Morgan Podkul, Ashlee Crowder, Clara Leutheuser and Amanda Geelhoed all got their feet wet on the beach. Crowder takes a swing at a ball during the team’s match against the Puerto Rican Junior National Team. Friends and teammates Hannah Barrett and Sydney Dow pose for a photo on the roof of the old fort.

2222


2008 Hillsdale College VolleyballHillsdale College Combined Team Statistics (as of Nov 13, 2008)

All matches

RECORD: OVERALL HOME AWAY NEUTRALALL GAMES 19-11 7-4 3-5 9-2CONFERENCE 8-8 5-4 3-4 0-0NON-CONFERENCE 11-3 2-0 0-1 9-2

Attack Set Serve Dig Blocking## Player sp k k/s e ta pct a a/s sa se sa/s re dig dig/s bs ba total blk/s be bhe points11 Ashlee Crowder 97 333 3.43 120 840 . 2 5 4 8 0.08 25 31 0.26 2 67 0.69 5 31 36 0.37 4 2 378.513 Kitt Smith 89 238 2.67 107 664 . 1 9 7 10 0.11 11 14 0.12 14 68 0.76 3 28 31 0.35 1 1 266.012 Clara Leutheuser 101 224 2.22 62 471 . 3 4 4 5 0.05 2 0 0.02 3 19 0.19 28 90 118 1.17 6 1 299.016 Emily Bennett 87 170 1.95 37 362 . 3 6 7 8 0.09 1 0 0.01 0 14 0.16 15 45 60 0.69 1 2 208.53 Amanda Bigney 57 153 2.68 76 403 . 1 9 1 2 0.04 4 5 0.07 2 28 0.49 1 19 20 0.35 0 1 167.52 Stephanie Booms 101 99 0.98 28 250 . 2 8 4 975 9.65 20 25 0.20 1 187 1.85 4 38 42 0.42 3 12 142.06 Hannah Barrett 73 69 0.95 23 178 . 2 5 8 9 0.12 0 0 0.00 6 14 0.19 5 29 34 0.47 2 3 88.515 Apryl Schmucker 48 35 0.73 16 99 . 1 9 2 147 3.06 14 22 0.29 3 88 1.83 0 11 11 0.23 0 3 54.510 Rachel VanderWall 30 25 0.83 14 62 . 1 7 7 11 0.37 12 6 0.40 12 43 1.43 0 12 12 0.40 1 0 43.017 Elisse Shank 27 11 0.41 6 48 . 1 0 4 5 0.19 7 9 0.26 11 42 1.56 0 4 4 0.15 0 0 20.04 Morgan Podkul 107 7 0.07 8 50 - . 0 2 0 17 0.16 25 10 0.23 26 230 2.15 0 0 0 0.00 0 1 32.05 Sydney Dow 107 5 0.05 7 69 - . 0 2 9 30 0.28 22 30 0.21 29 489 4.57 0 0 0 0.00 0 0 27.01 Brogan Wells 34 2 0.06 2 15 . 0 0 0 3 0.09 5 5 0.15 8 33 0.97 0 0 0 0.00 0 0 7.07 Jamie Murray 103 1 0.01 3 31 - . 0 6 5 12 0.12 18 28 0.17 36 154 1.50 0 0 0 0.00 0 1 19.0

TEAM - - - - - - - - - - - 27 - - - - - - - - -HILLSDALE COLLEGE 107 1372 12.82 509 3542 . 2 4 4 1242 11.61 166 185 1.55 180 1476 13.79 61 307 214.5 2.00 18 27 1752.5Opponents 107 1208 11.29 583 3491 . 1 7 9 1092 10.21 169 183 1.58 156 1355 12.66 53 296 201.0 1.88 38 58 1578.0

Team Statistics HC OPPATTACK K i l l s 1372 1208 E r r o r s 509 583 Total Attacks 3542 3491 Attack Pct . 2 4 4 . 1 7 9 K i l l s / S e t 12.8 11.3SET A s s i s t s 1242 1092 A t t e m p t s 2726 2785 Assist Pct . 4 5 6 . 3 9 2 A s s i s t s / S e t 11.6 10.2SERVE A c e s 166 169 E r r o r s 185 183 A t t e m p t s 2297 1920 Serve Pct . 9 1 9 . 9 0 5 A c e s / S e t 1.6 1.6SERVE RECEPTIONS E r r o r s 180 156 E r r o r s / S e t 1.7 1.5 A t t e m p t s 1736 1883 Reception Pct . 8 9 6 . 9 1 7DEFENSE D i g s 1476 1355 D i g s / S e t 13.8 12.7BLOCKING Block Solo 61 53 Block Assist 307 296 Total Blocks 214.5 201.0 Blocks Per Game 2.0 1.9 Block Errors 18 38Ball handling errors 27 58ATTENDANCE T o t a l 3268 2659 Dates/Avg Per Date 11/297 8/332 Neutral site #/Avg 11/61 Current win streak 0 - Home win streak 0 -

Date Opponent Score Score by set Att.Aug 29 vs Mercyhurst W 3-2 25-17,21-25,19-25,25-15,15-4 88Aug 29 vs Minnesota Duluth L 0-3 20-25,14-25,23-25 65Aug 30 vs Indiana Pa. W 3-0 25-14,25-10,25-18 96Aug 30 vs Urbana University W 3-0 25-10,25-15,26-24 76Sep 2 LAKE ERIE COLLEGE W 3-0 25-14,25-17,25-13 317Sep 05 vs Bellarmine W 3-1 20-25,25-17,25-17,25-18 71Sep 05 vs California Pa. L 1-3 16-25,19-25,25-21,21-25 68Sep 06 vs Gannon University W 3-0 25-16,25-9,25-19 60Sep 06 vs Wheeling-Jesuit W 3-0 25-16,25-18,25-16 57Sep 9 DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY W 3-0 25-12,25-13,25-10 205

*Sep 12 ASHLAND W 3-1 25-21,23-25,25-15,25-14 427*Sep 13 TIFFIN W 3-0 25-15,30-28,25-22 246*Sep 16 at Findlay W 3-0 25-19,25-17,25-23 89*Sep 19 at Northwood L 2-3 25-23,17-25,22-25,25-22,10-15 356*Sep 20 at Wayne State L 1-3 21-25,16-25,25-20,27-29 189*Sep 26 NORTHERN MICHIGAN W 3-0 26-24,25-21,25-23 357*Sep 27 MICHIGAN TECH L 1-3 26-24,19-25,24-26,24-26 221*Oct 03 at Ferris State L 1-3 17-25,22-25,25-19,16-25 521*Oct 04 at Grand Valley State L 0-3 14-25,16-25,19-25 773*Oct 10 200LAKE SUPERIOR STATE W 3-0 26-24,25-16,25-15 197*Oct 11 SAGINAW VALLEY STATE L 0-3 23-25,34-36,25-27 176Oct 17 vs Rockhurst W 3-0 25-23,25-18,25-23 41Oct 18 vs Missouri St. Louis W 3-2 20-25,25-15,25-19,20-25,15-13 0Oct 18 vs Drury University W 3-1 25-18,25-15,26-28,25-22 45

*Oct 24 at Ashland W 3-1 26-24,25-15,22-25,25-21 113*Oct 25 at Tiffin W 3-0 25-11,25-18,25-13 86*Oct 31 FINDLAY W 3-0 25-13,25-20,25-17 477*Nov 07 NORTHWOOD L 1-3 25-23,22-25,15-25,25-27 358*Nov 08 WAYNE STATE L 1-3 23-25,25-22,17-25,18-25 287^Nov 12 at Wayne State L 1-3 21-25,16-25,25-20,16-25 532

Record in 3-set matches: 13-3Record in 4-set matches: 4-7Record in 5-set matches: 2-1

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Career KillsCareer Kills

1. Cassandra Cole 1996-99 1,6632. Taryn Rudland 2003-06 1,3663. Becky Grzegorski 2003-06 1,1604. Leslie Koppelman 1994-97 1,0515. Melissa Bartlett 2006-07 1,0466. Katherine Jones 2003-06 9237. Katie Keane 1994-96 9228. Kittrick Smith 2006-present 7849. S. Chaffi n xx-xx 75810. Tessa Bloemers 2003-06 735

Career HittingCareer Hitting

PercentagePercentage

1. Emily Bennett 2006- .3472. Becky Grzegorski 2003-06 .3413. Taryn Rudland 2003-06 .3384. Melissa Bartlett 2006-06 .3085. Leslie Koppelman 1997 .2876. Jennie Cook 1998-2001 .2697. Stephanie Dulz 1999-2000 .2688. Katherine Jones 2003-06 .2548. Ashlee Crowder 2008- .25410. Cassandra Cole 1996-99 .251

Career AssistsCareer Assists

1. Stephanie Booms 2005-08 4,6402. Stephanie McKeachie 1997-2000 4,2893. Karin Poschke 2001-04 4,0834. Wendy Waltz 1994-96 3,0825. Lani Pentico 1996-97 1,2516. Ashley Pfeff er 1998-2001 1,0277. Ardith Straight -- 9678. Sumer Way 2002-05 6109. Diane Betz 1994-96 47910. Jessica Phillips 1997-99 195

Career AcesCareer Aces

1. Katie Keane 1994-97 2192. Stephanie Booms 2005-08 1663. Megan Howard 2004-07 1604. Kati Klein 1998-2001 1495. Cassandra Cole 1996-99 1466. Jessica Phillips 1996-99 1397. Karin Poschke 2001-04 1368. J. Pitrone -- 1269. Stephanie McKeachie 1997-2000 11910. Bartlett/Bloemers -- 101

Career KillsCareer Kills

Per SetPer Set

1. Melissa Bartlett 2006-07 4.752. Cassandra Cole 1996-99 3.963. Stephanie Dulz 1999-2000 3.674. Ashlee Crowder 2008- 3.435. Leslie Koppelman 1997 3.346. Taryn Rudland 2003-06 3.247. Busra Kurtuldu 2002-03 3.108. Katie Keane 1997 3.019. Amanda Bigney 2007- 2.7710. Kittrick Smith 2006- 2.71

Career Total Career Total

BlocksBlocks

1. Leslie Koppelman 1994-97 5742. Taryn Rudland 2003-06 5323. Jennie Cook 1998-2001 4054. Katherine Jones 2003-06 3325. Molly Daugherty 1998-2001 2776. Becky Grzegorski 2003-06 2247. Stephanie McKeachie 1997-2000 1948. Heidi Scott 2001-04 1749. Cassandra Cole 1996-99 16810. Stephanie Booms 2005-08 168

Career DigsCareer Digs

Single-season Single-season

KillsKills

1. Cassandra Cole 1999 6382. Melissa Bartlett 2007 6353. Cassandra Cole 1998 4824. Stephanie Dulz 2000 4525. Leslie Koppelman 1997 4146. Melissa Bartlett 2006 4117. Cassandra Cole 1997 3748. Katie Keane 1997 3739. Kittrick Smith 2007 36510. Taryn Rudland 2004 363

Single-SeasonSingle-Season

Kills per SetKills per Set

1. Melissa Bartlett 2007 5.252. Cassandra Cole 1999 4.833. Melissa Bartlett 2006 4.154. Stephanie Dulz 2000 4.075. Cassandra Cole 1998 3.836. Ashlee Crowder 2008 3.437. Stephanie Johnson 2002 3.428. Taryn Rudland 2004 3.399. Taryn Rudland 2005 3.3810. Leslie Koppelman 1997 3.34

Single-Season Single-Season

AcesAces

1. Kati Klein 1999 642. Stephanie Booms 2006 633. Jessica Phillips 1997 564. Hermina Angeles 1998 555. Melissa Bartlett 2007 546. Megan Howard 2007 536. Cassandra Cole 1999 538. Jessica Phillips 1999 529. Karin Poschke 2002 5110. Stephanie Booms 2007 49

Single-season Single-season

Digs per SetDigs per Set

1. Megan Howard 2005 5.732. Megan Howard 2006 4.953. Megan Howard 2007 4.854. Cassandra Cole 1999 4.675. Sydney Dow 2008 4.576. Tessa Bloemers 2004 4.467. Megan Howard 2004 4.418. Cassandra Cole 1998 4.359. Busra Kurtuldu 2002 3.9510. Busra Kurtuldu 2003 3.87

Career ServeCareer Serve


1. Morgan Podkul 2008- .9472. Emily Bennett 2006- .9703. Jamie Murray 2006-08 .9474. Brogan Wells 2008- .9395. Sydney Dow 2007- .9336. Rachel VanderWall 2007- .9237. Stephanie Booms 2005-08 .9228. Megan Howard 2004-07 .9129. Elisse Shank 2005-08 .90210. Melissa Bartlett 2006-07 .895

1. Megan Howard 2004-07 21342. Cassandra Cole 1996-99 18003. Jamie Schrock 1998-2001 14904. Tessa Bloemers 2003-06 14585. Kati Klein 1998-2001 11576. Jessica Philips 1996-99 10557. Amanda Proctor 2001-03 9298. Stephanie McKeachie 1997-2000 9029. Katie Keane 1994-97 87610. Sumer Way 2002-05 804

2424


Anytime a sports program “breaks through” to a new level of success, it oft en happens as the result of just one game. Th at can accurately describe what happened to the Hillsdale College volleyball team very early in the 2004 season.

During the team’s fi rst tournament of the season, it knocked off North Alabama, the 2003 Division II national champions. Th at win set the stage for the fi rst-ever NCAA Division II volleyball regional tournament appearance for the program later that season.

On Sept. 28, Hillsdale entered the national rankings for the fi rst time in its program’s history. Th e accolade came at a point in the schedule when the Chargers had won eight straight games and were 12-2 overall, fresh off a 3-0 win over Tiffi n University.

Th e Chargers went on to fi nish in second place in the GLIAC South Division with a 12-5 conference mark. Another signature win by the team during the regular season came on Oct. 9 when it defeated 14th-ranked Northern Michigan 3-2 at home.

But no win was as dramatic for the team as the one it had in the fi rst round of the GLIAC Tournament. Facing arch-rival Findlay, Hillsdale advanced to the tournament semifi nals with a 3-0 sweep,

With just two seniors and two freshmen, the 2005 Hillsdale College volleyball team was one that grew and matured together as the season progressed. It transitioned from a team learning what success was, into learning what it took to be consistently successful.

Some of the respect the team earned in 2004 paid off for this 2005 squad. Th e Chargers were consistently ranked in the top eight in the region, and earned that kind of respect by playing some outstanding teams in its non-league schedule. Th ree of the team’s fi rst four losses came to nationally ranked teams like Southern Illinois-Edwardsville, Nebraska-Omaha and Minnesota-Duluth. Th e team came back to post a perfect 4-0 mark at the University of Findlay Tournament in early September.

Hillsdale ended the regular season with three straight wins, then gutted out a 3-2 win over Findlay on the road in the fi rst round of the GLIAC Tournament. Playing without two key contributors, the Chargers were down 2-1, but won game four, setting up a fi ft h game that seemed inevitable from the start. Th at game was tied 13-13 when Becky Grzegorski had a kill, followed by a Findlay net violation that ended the match and sparked a big Hillsdale celebration on the court.

Hillsdale would lose to eventual national champion Grand

2004:2004:

19-11 overall19-11 overall

12-5 GLIAC12-5 GLIAC

2nd South2nd South

2005:2005:



3rd South3rd South

but the game score did not indicate the epic nature of the match. Th e Chargers set a school record for points in a single game with an incredible 40-38 triumph over the Oilers in the opening game of the match.

Sophomore right-side hitter Becky Grzegorski was named First-Team All-GLIAC.

Valley State in the GLIAC semifi nals, and bowed out of the NCAA tournament aft er a loss in Allendale to Rockhurst.

Junior Taryn Rudland was named First-Team All-GLIAC for the second time in her career, while Katherine Jones (Second Team) and freshman Stephanie Booms (honorable mention) also netted all-conference recognition. Th e awards for those players, as well as the team’s success, would set the stage for an avalanche of success that would follow in 2006.

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2525

Hillsdale College has seen a lot of success among its sports teams in the 100-plus year history of athletics. But few teams have ever matched the excellence displayed by the 2006 Charger volleyball team.

History was made on an almost weekly basis by this team, which fi nished 29-2 overall and was ranked as high as No. 3 in the nation. Th e team won the GLIAC South Division title, hosted the GLIAC Tournament for the fi rst time, and would go on to host the NCAA Division II Regional Tournament for the fi rst time.

Th e Chargers were a perfect blend of depth, talent and toughness, a team in possession of no weaknesses. Hillsdale started the season winning its fi rst 28 consecutive matches, 20 of those by 3-0 sweeps.

Highlighting that perfect regular season was a visit to Allendale on Saturday, Oct. 7. Th e home court of Grand Valley State had been a house of horrors for the Chargers over the years, as was the team calling that court its home. Hillsdale hadn’t beaten Grand Valley since October 18, 1989, but that streak would come to a screeching halt on this day, as the Chargers pounded the defending national champions, 3-0. Hillsdale won the fi rst two games by a combined 21 points in the victory.

Nearly 1,000 fans packed the Jesse Philips Arena on Friday, Nov.

How does a team follow up a season like the Hillsdale College volleyball squad had in 2006? By not dwelling on that season and establishing a legacy of its own.

Th e 2007 Chargers repeated as GLIAC South Division champions and made their fourth straight appearance in the NCAA Division II regional tournament. Over the past two years, Hillsdale is 55-10 overall and 32-2 in the GLIAC, both ranking fi rst among all conference teams in that span.

With rock-steady seniors like libero Megan Howard and outside hitter Melissa Bartlett, the Chargers had two of the best players at key positions in the GLIAC. Howard would become Hillsdale’s all-time leader in career digs and was named Second-Team All-GLIAC.

Bartlett was one of the most powerful hitters in the nation, and fi nished fourth nationally in total kills with 635. She was named First-Team All-American by both Daktronics and the AVCA, in addition to being the second straight Hillsdale College player to be named GLIAC Player of the Year.

Complementing the team’s older players was a precocious group of underclassmen, highlighted by a diversely talented freshman class. Outside hitter Amanda Bigney made a big statement in the team’s regional loss to Indianapolis,

2006:2006:



1st South1st South

2007:2007:



1st South1st South

10 when the Chargers hosted Ashland in the regional semifi nals. It was the largest crowd to ever watch a volleyball match in the arena, and represented the deepest the team ever advanced in the national tournament. A 3-0 loss to an Eagles team playing at an unbelievably high level ended this most amazing of seasons.

Senior Taryn Rudland was named First-Team All-American, becoming the fi rst Charger volleyball player to ever earn such an honor. She was also the GLIAC Player of the Year and shared First-Team All-GLIAC honors with sophomore setter Stephanie Booms.

leading the team with 24 kills and proving to be completely unstoppable vs. a team that was the GLVC regular season champions.

Sophomore Kittrick Smith stepped her game up to a new level in her second year, fi nishing with the seventh-most kills in a single season in school history and being named Second-Team All-GLIAC.

Th is team also exorcised demons from 2006, when it defeated Ashland three times, including the GLIAC tournament semifi nals. Th e Eagles were the only team to beat Hillsdale in 2006.

2626


2006 GLIAC Player of the Year 2006 Daktronics First-Team All-Region 2006 Daktronics Regional Player of the Year 2006 Daktronics First-Team All-American 2006 AVCA Th ird-Team All-American Featured in “Faces in the Crowd” in Sports

Illustrated on Oct. 2, 2006 Hillsdale’s career leader in solo blocks 2004 and 2006 First-Team All-GLIAC 2003 GLIAC Freshman of the Year

2007 GLIAC Player of the Year 2007 Daktronics First-Team All-Region 2007 Daktronics First-Team All-American 2007 and 2006 First-Team All-GLIAC 2007 AVCA First-Team All-American Five-time GLIAC South Division Player of the

Week Second-most kills in a single season in school his-

tory (635) Fourth in school history in career kills (1,046) in

just two seasons

In each of the past two seasons, Hillsdale College’s volleyball team has been blessed with some incredible individual performances, along with a 55-10 overall record. In 2006, Taryn Rudland became the fi rst player in the program’s history to be named First-Team All-American. It took exactly one year for another player to achieve that honor, which Melissa Bartlett did in 2007. Both players were named GLIAC Player of the Year, and each were named First-Team All-Region.

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All-GLIAC PlayersAll-GLIAC Players

Year Player Honor2008 Stephanie Booms First Team2008 Sydney Dow Second Team2008 Emily Bennett Honorable Mention2007 Melissa Bartlett First Team2007 Stephanie Booms First Team2007 Megan Howard Second Team2007 Kittrick Smith Second Team2007 Jamie Murray Honorable Mention2006 Taryn Rudland First Team2006 Melissa Bartlett First Team2006 Becky Grzegorski First Team2006 Stephanie Booms First Team2006 Katherine Jones Second Team2006 Megan Howard Honorable Mention2005 Taryn Rudland First Team2005 Katherine Jones Second Team2005 Stephanie Booms Honorable Mention2004 Becky Grzegorski First Team2004 Taryn Rudland Second Team2004 Katherine Jones Honorable Mention2003 Taryn Rudland First Team2003 Becky Grzegorski Second Team2003 Karin Poschke Honorable Mention2002 Busra Kurtuldu Second Team2002 Karin Poschke Honorable Mention2000 Jennie Cook Second Team1999 Cassandra Cole First Team1999 Stephanie McKeachie Honorable Mention1998 Cassandra Cole First Team1998 Stephanie McKeachie Honorable Mention1997 Cassandra Cole Second Team

Megan Howard was named All-GLIAC twice in her career.

Year-by-Year RecordsYear-by-Year Records

Year Overall/GLIAC Coach 1979 13-5* 4-6 Phyllis Cupp 1980 23-13 7-7 Phyllis Cupp1981 28-7 7-3 Phyllis Cupp1982 29-13 4-4 Phyllis Cupp1983 N/A 3-5 Phyllis Cupp1984 16-14* N/A Phyllis Cupp1985 N/A 1-7 Phyllis Cupp1986 N/A 1-15 Dick Powers1987 12-13* 3-13 Dick Powers1988 4-20 2-14 Dick Powers1989 7-15 2-14 Dick Powers1990 3-22 1-15 Dick Powers1991 5-23 1-15 Dick Powers1992 1-22 0-16 Jackie Snook1993 7-22 2-16 Jackie Snook1994 17-21 3-15 Fred Lin1995 9-24 4-14 Fred Lin1996 11-22 6-11 Chris Gravel1997 23-12 10-7 Chris Gravel1998 15-19 9-10 Chris Gravel1999 24-10 13-6 Chris Gravel2000 21-15 11-6 Chris Gravel2001 20-12 9-8 Chris Gravel2002 13-17 3-14 Chris Gravel2003 17-15 9-8 Chris Gravel2004 19-10 11-6 Chris Gravel2005 19-12 11-6 Chris Gravel2006 29-2 17-0 Chris Gravel2007 26-8 15-2 Chris Gravel2008 19-11 8-8 Chris Gravel* - indicates latest available won-loss record

Chris Gravel is Hillsdale’s all-time leader in coachingvictories in volleyball.

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North Division GLIAC Pct. Overall Pct.Grand Valley State 15-1 .938 33-4 .892Michigan Tech 12-4 .750 19-11 .633Saginaw Valley State 11-5 .688 25-8 .758Northern Michigan 11-5 .688 20-12 .625Ferris State 8-8 .500 16-13 .552Lake Superior State 2-14 .125 6-18 .250

South Division GLIAC Pct. Overall Pct.Northwood 10-6 .625 16-14 .533Wayne State 9-7 .562 17-12 .586Hillsdale 8-8 .500 19-11 .633Ashland 6-10 .375 14-13 .519Tiffi n 2-14 .125 14-19 .424Findlay 2-14 .125 12-22 .353

2008 GLIAC Tournament Results 2008 Great Lakes Regional Tournament Quarterfi nals Quarterfi nalsWayne State 3, Hillsdale 1 Grand Valley State 3, Northwood 0Grand Valley State 3, Ferris State 1 Saginaw Valley State 3, Michigan Tech 1Saginaw Valley State 3, Michigan Tech 1 Indianapolis 3, Northern Michigan 2Northern Michigan 3, Northwood 1 Northern Kentucky 3, Lewis 0Semifi nals Semifi nalsGrand Valley State 3, Wayne State 1 Grand Valley State 3, Indianapolis 1Saginaw Valley State 3, Northern Michigan 1 Saginaw Valley State 3, Northern Kentucky 2Championship Match Championship MatchGrand Valley State 3, Saginaw Valley State 1 Grand Valley State 3, Saginaw Valley State 1

2008 GLIAC Standings

Player of the Year:Danielle AlexanderGrand Valley State

Freshman of the Year:Ashlee CrowderHillsdale College

Libero of the Year:Mayssa Bazzi

Wayne State University

Coach of the Year:Deann Scanlon

Grand Valley State

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KillsKills

1. Danielle Alexander GV 4272. Mandie Meyer NM 4053. Sarha Gosselin WS 3974. Sarah Redoute SV 3845. Veronica Armstrong MT 3686. Marina Santos AU 3627. Gordana Barac NU 3538. Ashlee Crowder HC 3339. Caryn VanBeckum NM 32310. Lauren Mallast WS 304

HittingHitting


1. Emily Bennett HC .3672. Clara Leutheuser HC .3443. Jen Jung MT .3254. Danielle Alexander GV .3165. Shannon Burke TU .3026. Emma Wolfe NM .3007. Rebeccah Rapin GV .2998. Amanda Stefanski AU .2929. Katt Garvick NM .29110. Courtney Niemeyer UF .290

AssistsAssists

1. Jamie Ashmore GV 13182. Kait Harris SV 12113. Kelsey Skoog MT 10694. Katy Westenberg WS 10365. Andrea Fritz AU 10036. Stephanie Booms HC 9757. Lauren Chapman NU 9238. Madeline Ogden NM 8219. Jessica Adams TU 71210. Ashley Purvis LS 510

AcesAces

1. Carmen Schacher SV 512. Brooke Bernabei TU 483. Cassie Osiecki NM 454. Rachael Hammond UF 435. Amanda Binggeli UF 426. Andrea Fritz AU 417. Andrea Rich FS 408. Kaari Nevanen MT 369. Lauren Schweitzer AU 3210. Ali Jones LS 27

Kills Per SetKills Per Set

1. Sarha Gosselin WS 3.642. Marina Santos AU 3.513. Ashlee Crowder HC 3.434. Gordana Barac NU 3.305. Veronica Armstrong MT 3.266. Mandie Meyer NM 3.217. Sarah Redoute SV 3.178. Danielle Alexander GV 3.149. Caryn VanBeckum NM 3.1110. Lauren Mallast WS 2.81

Blocks Per SetBlocks Per Set

1. Lauren Mallast WS 1.502. Jen Jung MT 1.263. Brittany Teaford TU 1.184. Clara Leutheuser HC 1.175. Danielle Alexander GV 1.126. Sara Sorkina NU 1.017. Kim Gear WS 0.908. Rebeccah Rapin GV 0.859. Christa Jung MT 0.8110. Kelly Jorgensen MT 0.81

DigsDigs

1. Meredith Young GV 5242. Carmen Schacher SV 4993. Sydney Dow HC 4894. Cassie Osiecki NM 4845. Mayssa Bazzi WS 4656. Kaitlin Wiza MT 4267. Amanda Binggeli UF 4068. Brittany Newberry LS 3919. Arian Martin AU 38810. Lindsay Heller TU 382

Points Per SetPoints Per Set

1. Sarha Gosselin WS 4.172. Danielle Alexander GV 4.003. Caryn VanBeckum NM 3.934. Ashlee Crowder HC 3.905. Lauren Mallast WS 3.906. Veronica Armstrong MT 3.887. Marina Santos AU 3.738. Gordana Barac NU 3.719. Sarah Redoute SV 3.6710. Mandie Meyer NM 3.60

Team Hitting %Team Hitting %

1. Grand Valley State .2452. Hillsdale .2443. Northern Michigan .2174. Wayne State .2145. Saginaw Valley State .2066. Tiffi n .2047. Michigan Tech .2028. Northwood .1829. Findlay .17310. Ashland .167

OpponentOpponent

Hitting %Hitting %

1. Grand Valley State .1342. Michigan Tech .1433. Ferris State .1444. Saginaw Valley State .1655. Northwood .1676. Northern Michigan .1727. Hillsdale .1768. Wayne State .1789. Ashland .19310. Findlay .199

Team BlocksTeam Blocks

1. Michigan Tech 2.622. Wayne State 2.543. Grand Valley State 2.324. Saginaw Valley State 2.135. Tiffi n 2.026. Hillsdale 2.007. Northwood 1.928. Ferris State 1.869. Northern Michigan 1.8010. Ashland 1.58

Team AcesTeam Aces

1. Tiffi n 1.862. Findlay 1.793. Ferris State 1.694. Ashland 1.675. Hillsdale 1.556. Northern Michigan 1.527. Saginaw Valley State 1.438. Michigan Tech 1.379. Wayne State 1.3710. Northwood 1.36

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An independent, four-year college in south-central Michigan, Hillsdale College offers the rigorous and

lively academic experience one expects of a tier-one liberal arts college, and it stands out for its commitment to the enduring principles of the Western tradition. Its core curriculum embodies this commitment through required courses in disciplines such as history, literature, science and political science in order to develop in students the “philosophical habit of mind” essential to sound education. Likewise, majors at Hillsdale are a rigorous and searching extension of these commitments. Ranging from classics or music to chemistry or business, academic fields of concentration build upon the core curriculum, deepening and specifying students’ appreciation for and understanding of the liberal arts. Hillsdale College is dedicated to intellectual inquiry and to learning, and it recognizes essential human dignity. Ordered liberty, personal responsibility, limited government, free enterprise and man’s moral, intellectual and spiritual nature illuminate this dignity and identify the service of the College to its students, the nation and the Western intellectual and religious tradition. Far-ranging by design and incisive by method, study at Hillsdale College is intellectually demanding. Students work closely with faculty who guide them in their studies, helping students to prepare for a lifetime of accomplishment, leadership and learning. For more information about Hillsdale College or to arrange a visit, call the Admissions Office at (517) 607-2327, or e-mail [email protected].

Hillsdale College, founded in 1844, is an inde-pendent, coeducational, residential,

nonsectarian college for about 1,300 students. Its four-year cur-riculum leads to the degree of bachelor of arts or bachelor of science. It is accredited by the North Central Association of Col-leges and Secondary Schools, whose Commission on Institutions of Higher Education is located at 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602. Hillsdale is included on the approved lists of leading universities for transfer and graduate studies and holds membership in the Association of American Colleges and the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education. Located just off M-99 in the southern Michigan city of Hillsdale, it lies between Detroit and Chicago and is easily accessible via the interstate highway system. Those approaching from the west on the Indiana Tollway should use Interchange 144 (Angola). Those approaching from the east on the Ohio Turnpike should use Exit 13 (Bryan-Montpelier). Approximately one half of Hillsdale’s students come from other states and countries. Hillsdale has traditionally upheld two concepts: academic excellence and institutional independence. The College does not accept federal or state taxpayer subsidies for its operations. This has set it free to offer a unique kind of education. Hillsdale College proudly adheres to the non-discriminatory policy regarding race, religion, sex and national or ethnic origin that it has maintained since long before governments found it necessary to regulate such matters. Hillsdale College is located in the northern part of the city of Hillsdale, with its various grounds and facilities covering some 200 acres. The main quadrangle of the campus is principally devoted to academic and administrative facilities. It has many beautiful oaks, maples and pines and is located atop the highest hill in the city.

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DR. LARRY ARNNPresident Dr. Larry P. Arnn, the 12th president of Hillsdale College, received his B.A. in Political Science and Accounting in 1974 from Arkansas State University, graduating with the highest distinction. He studied at the Claremont Graduate School and received his M.A. in Government in 1976, and his Ph.D. in Government in 1985. He studied in England from 1977 to 1980, fi rst as a research student in International History at the London School of Economics and then in Modern History at Worcester College, Oxford University. He has received numerous fellowships and awards, among them a two-year fellowship from the Alcoa Foundation in 1972; a Richard M. Weaver Fellowship in 1975; a Rotary International Fellowship in 1977; and Earhart Foundation Fellowships in 1978, 1979, and 1980; and a Winston S. Churchill Association Fellowship from 1977 to 1980. While in England, Dr. Arnn served as Director of Research for Mr. Martin, now Sir Martin, Gilbert of Merton College, Oxford. Sir Martin is the offi cial biographer of Sir Winston Churchill. Dr. Arnn returned to the United States in 1980 to become an editor for Public Research, Syndicated. In 1985, he became president of the Claremont Institute, a public policy research institution based in Southern California. Published widely in many national newspapers, magazines and periodicals on issues of public policy and political theory, Dr. Arnn is a director of the Henry Salvatori Center of Claremont McKenna College, of the Americans Against Discrimination and Preferences, of the Center for Individual Rights, of St. Mark’s Episcopal School, and of the Claremont Institute. He served on the Board of Advisors for Landmark Legal Foundation, and on the Academic Advisory Board of the Free Enterprise Institute and of the International Churchill Society. He recently was appointed to the Congressional Policy Advisory Board which provides counsel to the House Republican Policy Committee. He is a member of the American Political Science Association, Pi Sigma Alpha, the Mont Pelerin Society, the International Churchill Society and the Philanthropy Roundtable.

Hillsdale’s new president was also the Founding Chairman of the California Civil Rights Initiative, or Proposition 209 on the November 1996 ballot. He and his wife, Penelope, have three children, Henry, Katy and Alice.

2009 hillsdale college volleyball media guide

Documents

charger volleyball team

gliac volleyball

charger teams

charger volleyball records

charger volleyball history

charger statistics

gliac statistics

charger allamericans