Michigan volleyball still looking for consistant swing hitters

WARREN ZINN/Daily Michigan volleyball coach Greg Giovanazzi said this weekend that he's looking for a leader to step up for the Wolverines. Add the need for a swing hitter to his list of priorities.

By Jon Zemke
Daily Sports Writer

Michigan volleyball coach Greg Giovanazzi told his team Saturday night he was looking for a team leader to step up. Now, Giovanazzi has even more concerns on his list.

"I haven't been completely satisfied with the swing hitter position," Giovanazzi said.

The position is usually occupied by Jeanine Szczesniak and Jane Stevens, but in the last two matches, Giovanazzi has given considerable playing time to Sarah Benke and Nicole Kacor. All have seen varying degrees of success.

From hitting well to not particularly passing well to blocking, Giovanazzi said hes seen it all. None of the four claimed the position as her own last weekend against Purdue or Illinois, and Giovanazzi intends to keep rotating them until one of them does.

Illinois Connection: When Michigan travels to Northwestern this weekend, four Wolverines will be making a return trip to their home state.

Senior Jeanine Szczesniak (Evergreen Park) and freshman Nicole Kacor (Chicago) both attended Mother McAuley High School before embarking on their college careers.

Another pair, sophomore Shawna Olson and freshman Shannon Melka, hail from Wheaton, and played for St Francis High School before coming to Michigan.

Melka and Kacor have seen considerable playing time as first year players. Melka splits setter duties with sophomore Alija Pittenger.

Kacor has steadily worked her way into the lineup competing for playing time at swing hitter.

Szczesniak has been a quality contributor for the last three seasons and shows no signs of letting up in her final season. She ranks on many of Michigan's all-time lists including fourth on the digs list.

Olson is a vocal leader from the bench contributing day in and day out during practice. Giovanazzi has characterized her as a fiery player.

Twist of Fate: When Michigan began last weekend's play, Purdue was unranked and Illinois was No. 29.

When Michigan begins it first league road trip this weekend they will again play an unranked team and then a ranked team. The Wolverines start against unranked Northwestern and then take on No. 28 Indiana.

Three of Michigan's four losses have come to teams ranked in the Top 30, and the other loss was against Purdue - an unranked Big Ten team

Quick Hits: The Wolverines have yet to beat a ranked opponent this season ... Karen Chase leads Michigan with 207 kills for the season and has led Michigan in 11 of its 12 matches this season. Anne Poglits is next with 124.

09-30-98