Aug 29, 2007 - 04:04:37 CDT
One could say Brittney Uttech salvaged Bismarck State's volleyball season last year.She was the Mystics' only setter. Linette Olson inherited a team of just nine players in her first year at the BSC helm, none of which were full-time setters.
Through the season the Mystics usually had one player injured. Luckily one wasn't Uttech.
"We had a couple of utility players, so if they had to they could have set," Olson said. "They would have had to throw the ball in the air and hope somebody hit it."
Uttech, a 5-foot-5 sophomore, was happy to take over all the setting chores for the 12-12 Mystics. She finished the year with 518 assists.
"I was excited to play all the way around,"Uttech said. "I had never blocked before. Iwould close my eyes. I didn't know where it went."
Uttech is ready to share setting duties this season as BSC plans to run a 6-2 offense. Lacy Doppler and Samantha Buckeye will compete for playing time for the other setter spot.
"I don't have to worry about getting hurt,"Uttech said. "Now we can use all our tall girls in the front row."
Uttech prepped at Dickinson High where she set until her senior year. In her final year she changed positions and became a defense specialist. She backed up setter Mandy Brumfield. Uttech kept her setting skills sharp by setting in practice.
Uttech helped Dickinson win a Class A state title in 2005.
"She did multiple offenses in Dickinson,"Olson said. "Dickinson's program is excellent. She had the skills before she got here."
At Dickinson, Uttech was accustomed to setting to players like Katelynn Steffan, Paige Nash, Betsy Mormann and Liz Sipma players who stood taller than 6-foot.
"I've had to adjust my sets," Uttech said. "I've had to make them lower."
Uttech came to BSC with the intentions of playing basketball. Olson became the volleyball coach shortly before the season began and talked to Uttech about joining the volleyball team.
The radiology major believes she made the right decision.
"For the profession I'm going into, the classes are hard and time consuming,"Uttech said. "Basketball lasts longer and you have to travel farther. I did three sports in high school. I'm doing one, so the free time is nice."
Optimism is running high at BSC as the Mystics field 13 players six are returners.
"Last year we couldn't even scrimmage,"Uttech said. "Now we can have six at each side of the net. Having more girls will help. We have more height. We are going to be better all-around than last year."
Alison Huseth and Danielle Olson return on the outside. Olson put down 98 kills and Huseth 38. Ivy Gilbertson returns in the middle. In an injury-plagued season, she collected 27 kills.
Carly Moser will be able to move back to her natural outside hitter spot. She played in the middle when Gilbertson was hurt. Moser led the team with 189 kills.
Joining the Mystics is Ashley Haines of Hillsboro, the Class B senior player of the year in Region 2.
"Athletic ability-wise we are better because we have more kids,"Olson said. "Competition between teammates is a good thing. It helps step up the quality of practices. Last year we couldn't even scrimmage."
Roster
SophomoresLacy Doppler, 5-foot-5, S, Victoria, Minn. Danielle Olson, 5-9, OH/U, Wishek. Carly Moser, 5-10, OH/MB, Mandan. Crystal Miller, 5-9, OH/U, Mandan. Brittney Uttech, 5-5, S, Dickinson. Alison Huseth, 5-7, OH/U, Harvey. Markie Tveito, 5-5, DS/L, Mandan. Ivy Gilbertson, 5-11, MB, Bismarck.
FreshmenAshley Haines, 5-11, MB, Hillsboro. Samantha Buckeye, 5-7, S, Edgeley. Britlyn Sturlaugson, 5-3, DS/L, Bismarck. Kelsey Ihmels, 5-7, OH/U, Bismarck. Chelsy Ciavarella, 5-9, OH/U, Bismarck.
CoachesLinette Olson (head), Maggie Barth (assistant).
Schedule
August
31at Ridgewater College tournament (Willmar, Minn.), TBA.
September
1at Ridgewater College tournament (Willmar, Minn.), TBA. 4at MSU-Bottineau, 7 p.m. 8at Williston State, 4 p.m. 9at Miles Community College, 3 p.m. 11at Jamestown College JV, 4 p.m. 18NDSCS-Wahpeton, 7 p.m. 20MSU-Bottineau, 6 p.m. 26Jamestown College JV, 7 p.m. 29at NDSCS-Wahpeton tournament, TBA.
October
2at Trinity Bible College, 6 p.m. 5Williston State, 7 p.m. 8Valley City State JV, 7 p.m. 16at NDSCS-Wahpeton, 7 p.m. 18Miles Community College, 7 p.m. 23Trinity Bible College, 7 p.m. 26-27Region XIII tournament, at Bottineau, TBA.
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