With little time remaining before their first game, the Saint Louis University volleyball team is hoping the bubble will burst.
According to head coach Marilyn Nolen, the team has been on the bubble of breaking into the NCAA Tournament for several years, and is now confident that this year the bubble will break, starting with the Butler Invitational this weekend in Indianapolis.
“We were on the edge too much last year,” said Nolen. “This tournament will be important for NCAA standings, since two of the three teams are in the same NCAA district as us.”
This weekend, the Billikens will face Delaware for the first time, as well as traditional NCAA district rivals Austin Peay and host Butler.
The Bills last faced Austin Peay in St. Louis in 1999 and they won the meeting 3-1, bringing their overall record against the Lady Govs to 7-1.
SLU used to face the Butler Bulldogs regularly when both schools were members of the Midwestern Collegiate Conference.
The Bills are one of the favorites heading into this weekend, but in order to dominate the tournament they will have to rely on the strength of the team’s nuclear group of players.
“Our setting is very strong this year. Shannan Swiney was named All-Freshman last year, and is going to be very strong as a sophomore this year. Beth Martin is a fifth-year senior who brings a lot of experience and maturity, and Beth Middendorf is improving every day and is playing so diligently,” Nolen said.
With eight returning juniors and seniors, the Bills will benefit from the age and experience of the team.
“We’ve got much more maturity this year. We’re more confident this year and have a lot more heads up. The nucleus of this group is older, and we’re very focused. The girls know they have to work hard to keep their cool, since it’s so easy to get derailed. Part of us getting older is getting better,” Nolen said.
In addition to the returning starters, Nolen will also look to several returning players and two freshmen for added strength.
“Some probable starters for the tournament this weekend are Missy Werges, Cristal Leonard, Ember Knobeloch, Beth Middendorf, Brooke Minnear and Dani Apted. Our freshmen, Kayla and Jessica Kmitta are also strong, and Kayla has an opportunity to break into the starting lineup,” Nolen said.
Another factor that will help the Billikens break through their bubble this season is the coaching staff. Coach Nolen begins her 30th year of NCAA coaching, and is in her eighth season at the helm of the Billikens.
Joining Nolen this year are two assistants, Al Ursillo and Corey Arbini. Ursillo replaces former assistant Santiago Restrepo, and joins Saint Louis University with impeccable coaching strengths. Ursillo led his club team in California to a junior national title last year.
Arbini returns to the SLU volleyball scene after playing on the men’s club team as a SLU student. Arbini’s coaching experience also includes volunteer coaching at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, as well as club coaching in St. Louis.
With the newfound chemistry between returning players as well as new players and the new coaching staff, Nolen is predicting a strong start to the season this weekend in Indianapolis, which she expects to help the team’s NCAA standing this year.
The Billikens will open the tournament against Austin Peay at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, and will follow with a match Saturday against Delaware at 2:00 p.m., and will close the tournament with Butler at 7:00 p.m.
“Our goals are set, and it should be exciting to watch,” Nolen said. “This year we’re looking to take on the big dogs.”
