University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Titans

2004 Highlights

Schaefer Named Titans' Head Volleyball Coach

Brian Schaefer, the 2004 interim women’s head coach and an assistant women’s volleyball coach at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh for six years prior to that has been named the new head women’s volleyball coach for the Titans.

Taking over for former head coach Marty Petersen midway through the 2004 season, Schaefer compiled a 10-6 record as interim head coach and led the team to a 24th NCAA Division III national ranking in the final American Volleyball Coaches Association poll.

As an assistant coach for the Titans, the team compiled a 143-58 record, competed in two NCAA Division III national tournaments - reaching the sweet sixteen both times - and won the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title in 2001.

During his tenure he coached three NCAA Division III All-Americans for a total of five times, five Midwest Region players seven times and molded seven First-Team WIAC performers for a total of 12 selections. The Titans finished their season ranked 12th in the nation in 2000, ninth in 2001 and 21st in 2003 under Schaefer’s tutelage.

During the last six years, Schaefer has developed the UW-Oshkosh volleyball alumni club and Aces for Animals that benefits the Oshkosh Area Humane Society. The UW-Oshkosh volleyball program also fundraises for Camp Heartland, a charity devoted to helping children with HIV or AIDS.

Schaefer, a 1990 graduate of Kaukauna High School obtained a bachelor’s degree in social work in 1996 and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership in 2002 from the UW-Oshkosh. Prior to coaching for the Titans, Schaefer was a women’s assistant volleyball coach at Lakeland College in 1995 and 1996 and a women’s volleyball assistant coach at UW-Green Bay in 1997. During his time at UW-Green Bay Schaefer also served as the assistant sports information director.

Schaefer was a member of the UW-Oshkosh men’s club volleyball team that won the 1996 National Intramural Recreation Sports Association Division II national title. In 1999 and 2000 he helped the team to the Wisconsin Volleyball Conference title and was named First-Team All-WVC in 2001. He was also named to the Midwest Ten Conference honorable mention team in 2001.

As the head coach for the UW-Oshkosh men’s club team since 2000, Schaefer has compiled a 245-104-5 record. During this time the team captured the 2000 and 2004 Wisconsin Volleyball Conference titles, the 2003, 2004 and 2005 Midwest Ten Conference crowns and has finished fifth or better at the NIRSA Division I national championships in 2003, 2004 and 2005.

Following fifth place performances in 2003 and 2004, the team reached unprecedented heights this season at the national championships by taking home the runner-up trophy at the 48-team event. Compiling a 60-7-1 record, its’ best in the 14-year history of the team, UW-Oshkosh had six individual NIRSA All-Americans. For his efforts, Schaefer was named the NIRSA Division I national coach-of-the-year.

In his five years as head coach for the men’s team, Schaefer has coached eight NIRSA All-Americans for a total of ten awards. He has also coached 20 WVC First-Team players 30 times. Schaefer was also named the 2005 Midwest Ten coach-of-the-year this season.

A member of the Wisconsin Volleyball Conference advisory board, Schaefer has been instrumental in the rise of the men’s club volleyball in the state. This season the WVC had three teams advance to the semifinals of the NIRSA Division I tournament. Schaefer has been the WVC junior varsity conference commissioner for the last three years and the WVC statistician since the 1999 season.

Schaefer has also been an instructor for various volleyball camps throughout the Midwest. Aside from being the assistant camp director at UW-Oshkosh since 1997, he has also been a lead instructor at Lake Forest College since 1997, UW-Whitewater from 2000 and has been the camp director at numerous high schools throughout the state of Wisconsin.

“I am pleased that I have been given a unique opportunity to coach volleyball at UW-Oshkosh,” said Schaefer. “The program has a repetition of producing quality student-athletes on and off the court. UW-Oshkosh has been on the volleyball national scene for many years and I intend on not only maintaining this consistency, but also taking it to new heights. I look forward to this challenge and am ready to get started.”

WIAC Cites Petersen, Rosenbaum

UW-Oshkosh middle blocker Amber Petersen (Sr. • Milwaukee) was named as a first team selection on the 2004 All-WIAC Women's Volleyball Team.

Petersen, who started all 33 matches for the Titans this past season, earned All-WIAC first team honors for the second straight year after hitting .325 with 378 kills, 60 digs, 59 solo blocks, 48 service aces and 11 assists. She ranked third in the WIAC in blocks per game (1.43) , fourth in hitting percentage, eighth in service aces per game (0.42) and ninth in kills per game (3.35).

Petersen had 10 or more kills in a match 21 times this past season, including 26 in a 3-1 loss to UW-La Crosse on Oct. 20. She also had 22 kills in a 3-2 win over Thomas More College (Ky.) on Sept. 10 and 12 blocks in a 3-0 win over Marian College on Oct. 22.

Petersen started all 144 matches that she played in during her UW-Oshkosh career, including 103 victories. Her 690 career blocks are the most in UW-Oshkosh history, while her 1,318 career kills rank fifth in school annals.

Joining Petersen on the 12-member All-WIAC first team were Becca Carstensen of UW-Eau Claire, Laura Wagner of UW-La Crosse, Joanna Carlson and Andrea Coffman of UW-Platteville, Nina Petersen of UW-River Falls, Tanille Hartwig, Erin Heger and Brooke Viegut of UW-Stout and Jamie Konrath, Michelle Stanislawski and Cassie Uttech of UW-Whitewater. Wagner was selected by league coaches as the WIAC Player of the Year.

Receiving All-WIAC honorable mention recognition were Leah Rosenbaum (Fr. • Wrightstown) of UW-Oshkosh, Jenny Wolter of UW-Eau Claire, Tanya Foldy and Lindsey Johnson of UW-La Crosse, Dana Alf of UW-Platteville, Andrea Geehan, Kathryn Krtnick and Katie Thompson of UW-River Falls, Shelly Maus of UW-Stevens Point and Kim Fruit of UW-Whitewater.

Rosenbaum, a middle blocker, was cited by the WIAC after hitting .341 with 318 kills and 32 solo blocks. Rosenbaum, who started all 33 matches for the Titans this past year, ranked second in the WIAC in hitting percentage and 13th in blocks per game (0.90).

Rosenbaum had 10 or more kills in a match 15 times this past year, including 20 in a 3-0 win over Ripon College on Oct. 8. She also had 19 kills in a 3-0 win over UW-Stevens Point on Oct. 13.

The WIAC also named Shanna Berger of UW-Eau Claire, Jenny Randall of UW-La Crosse, Miranda Hall of UW-Platteville and Lori Marten of UW-Stevens Point to its All-Defensive Team. Randall also was recognized on the all-defensive squad in 2002.

Jill Jolliff of UW-Stout was voted by league coaches as the WIAC Coach of the Year.

UW-Oshkosh concluded the 2004 season with a 22-11 record. The Titans have won 22-plus matches nine times in the past 12 seasons.

Blue Devils Oust Titans From WIAC Tournament

Lindsey Mensink and Brooke Viegut recorded 14 kills each as UW-Stout defeated UW-Oshkosh, 3-0, in a quarterfinal round match of the WIAC Women's Volleyball Tournament held Tuesday (Nov. 2) in Menomonie.

UW-Stout (28-4) took the contest of nationally-ranked teams by winning games of 30-23, 30-24 and 30-28. The Blue Devils entered the match ranked 17th in the NCAA Division III by the American Volleyball Coaches Association and the Titans (22-11) 22nd.

UW-Stout advances to the semifinal round of the WIAC Tournament, where it will meet UW-Platteville (27-6) on Friday (Nov. 5) in Whitewater. UW-Platteville won all three of its games against UW-Eau Claire (20-11) on Tuesday to qualify for its match with the Blue Devils. Other quarterfinal round results on Tuesday had UW-Whitewater (33-4) defeat UW-Stevens Point (21-14), 3-1, and UW-La Crosse (27-5) sweep UW-River Falls (24-11), 3-0.

UW-Stout hit .227 against UW-Oshkosh, including .297 in game one. In addition to the 14 kills of Mensink and Viegut, the Blue Devils also received 10 kills from Hartwig. Erin Heger contributed 48 assists and 12 digs to the victory, while Viegut added 15 digs and Kjersti Hamlin eight kills and 11 digs.

UW-Oshkosh, which lost for only the third time in 13 matches, hit just .141 against UW-Stout. Mary Jo Chart (Sr. • Burlington) had 12 kills and five digs for the Titans, while Amber Petersen (Sr. • Milwaukee) and Sarah Schott (So. • Winnebago, Ill.) added seven kills each. UW-Oshkosh also got 19 digs from Ashley Fischer (Jr. • Fond du Lac), 32 assists and 10 digs from Lisa Beck (So. • Darboy) and 11 digs from Tina Beck (So. • Darboy).

Titans Close Regular Season
With 2-1 Record In Quadrangular

The UW-Oshkosh women's volleyball team concluded its regular season by posting a 2-1 record at a quadrangular it hosted Friday and Saturday (Oct. 29-30) in Kolf Sports Center.

UW-Oshkosh (22-10) defeated St. Norbert College (28-8), 30-26, 30-24, 30-18, and Ripon College (20-13), 28-30, 30-17, 30-22, 30-22, before losing 30-24, 30-23, 30-26 to UW-La Crosse (26-5). UW-La Crosse entered the quadrangular ranked 15th in the NCAA Division III by the American Volleyball Coaches Association and UW-Oshkosh 22nd.

Sarah Schott (So. • Winnebago, Ill.) totaled 39 kills and 10 digs in UW-Oshkosh's three matches, while Leah Rosenbaum (Fr. • Wrightstown) compiled 34 kills, Amber Petersen (Sr. • Milwaukee) 30 kills and four solo blocks and Mary Jo Chart (Sr. • Burlington) 29 kills and 23 digs.

UW-Oshkosh opened the quadrangular by sweeping St. Norbert College for the sixth straight time. The Titans hit .297 in the contest with 12 blocks and five service aces. Schott led the Titans with 16 kills, while Rosenbaum added 13 kills, Ashley Fischer (Jr. • Fond du Lac) 18 digs and Lisa Beck (So. • Darboy) 46 assists, nine digs and two kills.

After losing a close first game, UW-Oshkosh regrouped to beat Ripon College for the second time this season. The Titans hit .246 against the Red Hawks with 69 kills, 12 blocks and nine service aces. Chart, Petersen, Rosenbaum and Schott each totaled 14 kills in the match, with Chart also registering eight digs and five service aces. UW-Oshkosh's 105 digs included 32 from Fischer, 22 from Beck and 21 from Rebecca Masephol (Fr. • Pittsville). Beck also dished off 52 assists.

In a match of two nationally-ranked teams, UW-La Crosse defeated UW-Oshkosh for the second time this year. The Titans hit just .083 against the Eagles, including only .019 in game one and .067 in game three. Schott had nine of UW-Oshkosh's 34 kills, while Petersen and Rosenbaum added seven each. Fischer also totaled 18 assists, 12 digs and two service aces.

Titans Abolish Vikings, Sabres

The UW-Oshkosh women's volleyball team took little time in doing away with Lawrence University and Marian College on Friday (Oct. 22) in Kolf Sports Center.

UW-Oshkosh (20-9) won for the eighth time in nine matches as it routed Lawrence University (7-21) in game scores of 30-11, 30-13, 30-28 and Marian College (8-16) in game counts of 30-19, 30-12, 30-19. Both contests took the Titans just under one hour to finish.

Mary Jo Chart (Sr. • Burlington) and Amber Petersen (Sr. • Milwaukee) combined for 28 kills, 10 digs and four solo blocks on the night as they registered their 99th and 100th wins in a UW-Oshkosh uniform.

UW-Oshkosh hit .247 against Lawrence University, including .318 in game one. Petersen hit .545 for the match while totaling seven kills and four assisted blocks. The Titans also received seven kills and four digs from Amanda Chart (So. • Burlington), 28 assists, eight digs and six service aces from Lisa Beck (So. • Darboy) and three service aces and 14 digs from Ashley Fischer (Jr. • Fond du Lac).

Ahead 7-6 in game one against Lawrence University, Fischer served eight consecutive points for a 15-6 lead. After a side out, Lisa Beck served 11 straight points, including six aces, for a 26-7advantage. The Titans had nine service aces in the first game.

Game two was close until Amanda Chart stepped to the service line with the Titans leading 8-6. 10 serves later UW-Oshkosh held an insurmountable 18-6 lead. Chart had three service aces during the run while Petersen slammed four kills. The Titans squeaked out a victory in the third game after starting three freshmen and three sophomores.

Hitting .427 against Marian College, including .500 in game three, UW-Oshkosh swept the Sabres for the second time this season.

Petersen had 14 kills, two service aces and two assisted blocks to lead the Titans over the Sabres, while Sarah Schott (So. • Winnebago, Ill.) contributed nine kills and two digs. UW-Oshkosh also received five kills, six digs and three assisted blocks from Mary Jo Chart and 24 assists, three digs and two service aces from Lisa Beck.

After an 11-point win over Marian College in the first game, UW-Oshkosh held a slim 10-8 lead in game two before its serve took over the game. Tina Beck (So. • Darboy) and Fischer served eight points each in the second game as the Titans concluded the contest on a 20-4 scoring run. UW-Oshkosh finished Marian College off in the third game by hitting .500 on 17 kills in 28 attacks.

Eagles Fly Past Titans

The UW-La Crosse women's volleyball team snapped UW-Oshkosh's six-match winning streak by defeating the Titans, 3-1, on Wednesday (Oct. 20) in Kolf Sports Center.

UW-La Crosse (19-5/5-3 WIAC) took the match from UW-Oshkosh (18-9/3-5 WIAC) in game scores of 30-27, 30-27, 28-30, 30-19. The victory gave the Eagles the fifth seed for the upcoming WIAC Tournament, while the Titans fell to the seventh seed with the loss.

Wednesday's contest matched a pair of nationally-ranked teams as UW-La Crosse was tabbed 13th in the NCAA Division III by the American Volleyball Coaches Association and UW-Oshkosh 22nd. The two teams will also meet for a non-conference match on Oct. 30 in Oshkosh.

UW-La Crosse was steady throughout the contest as the Eagles hit .275 in game one, .295 in game two, .278 in game three and .262 in game four. After hitting .359 in game one, UW-Oshkosh went on to hit .176 in game two, .283 in game three and .043 in game four.

UW-Oshkosh's Amber Petersen (Sr. • Milwaukee) compiled 26 kills en route to a .444 hitting percentage. She also had four digs, three solo blocks and two service aces. The Titans also got 14 kills from Leah Rosenbaum (Fr. • Wrightstown), 52 assists, eight digs and four kills from Lisa Beck (So. • Darboy) and 19 kills from Ashley Fischer (Jr. • Fond du Lac).

Laura Wagner had 16 kills and a .243 hitting percentage for the Eagles, while Lindsey Johnson added 15 kills and 17 digs and Jessica Freund 12 kills, seven digs and a .579 hitting percentage.

Titans Swat Yellowjackets

Leah Rosenbaum (Fr. • Wrightstown) and Sarah Schott (So. • Winnebago, Ill.) slammed 13 kills each as the UW-Oshkosh women's volleyball team swept UW-Superior by a 3-0 count on Saturday (Oct. 16) in Superior.

UW-Oshkosh (18-8/3-4 WIAC) extended its winning streak to six matches by taking games of 30-23, 30-24, 30-24. The Titans have now won their last 14 meetings with the Yellowjackets (8-16/0-7 WIAC).

UW-Oshkosh, ranked 21st in the NCAA Division III by the American Volleyball Coaches Association, hit .300 against UW-Superior, including .367 in game two. UW-Superior hit .209 for the contest, with a high of .259 in game three.

In addition to her 13 kills, Rosenbaum also hit .619 and assisted on four blocks. The Titans also received 41 assists and eight digs from Lisa Beck (So. • Darboy), eight kills and six assisted blocks from Amber Petersen (Sr. • Milwaukee), 11 digs and three kills from Rebecca Masephol (Fr. • Pittsville) and eight digs, seven kills and three solo blocks from Mary Jo Chart (Sr. • Burlington).

Katie O'Hara had nine kills to lead UW-Superior, while Amber Bergson totaled 12 digs and seven kills. Ashley Laidley paced the Yellowjackets with 18 assists.

Titans Hurdle Blugolds

The UW-Oshkosh women's volleyball team held UW-Eau Claire to its lowest hitting percentage of the year and the result was a 3-1 victory over the Blugolds on Friday (Oct. 15) in Eau Claire. It was UW-Oshkosh's first road win over UW-Eau Claire since 1997.

UW-Oshkosh (17-8/2-4 WIAC) opened the match winning the first game, 30-22. The Titans had their strongest game of the match by converting 35 attacks into 16 kills for a .286 hitting percentage.

UW-Eau Claire (17-7/4-3 WIAC) rebounded in the second game by winning a 30-24 contest. The Blugolds, who scored seven of the last eight points, shot .205 for the game while holding the Titans to a .136 hitting percentage.

UW-Eau Claire lost the third game, 30-25, with its worst offensive performance of the match. The Blugolds committed 17 hitting errors to only 15 kills for its first negative game of the season. UW-Oshkosh hit .244 in the game, totaling 14 kills and just four errors in 41 attacks.

UW-Oshkosh, ranked 21st in the NCAA Division III by the American Volleyball Coaches Association, again played well in the fourth game as it posted a 30-20 win. The Titans hit .279 in the game, compared to just .093 for the Blugolds.

The Titans hit .230 for the match as Leah Rosenbaum (Fr. • Wrightstown) slammed 15 kills, Rebecca Masephol (Fr. • Pittsville) 12, Sarah Schott (So. • Winnebago, Ill.) 11 and Amber Petersen (Sr. • Milwaukee) 10. UW-Oshkosh piled up 77 digs in the match, including 23 by Masephol and 16 by Ashley Fischer (Jr. • Fond du Lac). The Titans also received 48 assists and 12 digs from Lisa Beck (So. • Darboy).

Becca Carstensen had 15 kills, Shanna Berger 22 digs, Heather Harnell 16 digs and Carly Freiborg 42 assists and nine digs to lead UW-Eau Claire. The Blugolds hit just .097 for the match.

Titans Subdue Pointers

The UW-Oshkosh women's volleyball team has won four straight matches for the third time this season following its three-game sweep of UW-Stevens Point on Wednesday (Oct. 13) in Kolf Sports Center.

UW-Oshkosh (16-8/1-4 WIAC), which entered the contest ranked 21st in the NCAA Division III by the American Volleyball Coaches Association, took the match from UW-Stevens Point (15-9/1-5 WIAC) in game scores of 30-19, 30-27, 30-22.

Tied 10-10 in game one, UW-Oshkosh went on a 13-3 scoring run to take a 23-13 lead. The Titans scored five of the game's last six points to secure the victory. In the second game, UW-Oshkosh rallied from deficits of 21-18, 24-22 and 25-24 to pull out the win. The third game was tightly contested before UW-Oshkosh went on a 10-2 scoring run to take a 20-11 lead. UW-Stevens Point crawled to within 28-22 before UW-Oshkosh ended the third game and the match with two straight points.

UW-Oshkosh was led by the 19 kills and .552 hitting percentage of Leah Rosenbaum (Fr. • Wrightstown). Lisa Beck (So. • Darboy) added 36 assists and 11 digs to the victory, while Amber Petersen (Sr. • Milwaukee) contributed nine kills, Mary Jo Chart (Sr. • Burlington) eight kills, six digs, two solo blocks and two service aces and Rebecca Masephol (Fr. • Pittsville) six kills and 12 digs. The Titans hit .254 for the match, including .351 in game two.

UW-Stevens Point, which hit .068 for the match, was led by Shelly Maus and Nichole Stahovich. Maus recorded nine kills, four digs and two service aces, while Stahovich tallied eight kills and nine digs. Toni Johnson also added 23 assists and Lori Marten 21 digs.

Titans Topple
Red Hawks, Sabres, Cardinals

Leah Rosenbaum (Fr. • Wrightstown) slammed 53 kills and Amber Petersen (Sr. • Milwaukee) 38 as the UW-Oshkosh women's volleyball team swept Ripon College, Marian College and North Central College (Ill.) in matches played Friday and Saturday (Oct. 8-9) in Kolf Sports Center.

UW-Oshkosh, ranked 20th in the NCAA Division III by the American Volleyball Coaches Association, recorded all three of its victories by 3-0 counts, wins of 30-24, 30-22, 30-18 over Ripon College, 30-19, 30-17, 30-14 over Marian College and 30-22, 30-23, 30-25 over North Central College.

UW-Oshkosh (15-8) hit .286 against Ripon College, including .351 in game three, as Brian Schaefer recorded his first win as interim head coach of the Titans. Rosenbaum paced UW-Oshkosh by totaling a career-best 20 kills and a .643 hitting percentage. Petersen had 12 kills in the contest, while Lisa Beck (So. • Darboy) tallied 44 assists, 11 digs and three service aces, Ashley Fischer (Jr. • Fond du Lac) 12 digs and six service aces and Mary Jo Chart (Sr. • Burlington) nine kills and eight digs.

Rosenbaum had 17 and Petersen 14 of UW-Oshkosh's 47 kills against Marian College. The Titans hit .349 against the Sabres, including .500 in game three. Beck had 35 assists, eight digs and four kills in the match, while Chart added nine digs and three kills, Fischer eight digs and two service aces and Rebecca Masephol (Fr. • Pittsville) seven digs and four service aces. UW-Oshkosh ruled the net against Marian College by posting 17 total team blocks.

UW-Oshkosh hit an astonishing .409 against North Central College, including .455 in game one and .423 in game three. Rosenbaum continued her torrid hitting by recording 16 kills of 22 errorless attempts for a .727 hitting percentage. Petersen contributed 12 kills to the victory, while Beck added 40 assists, 10 digs and four service aces and Fischer 15 digs and two service aces.

Warhawks Wound Titans

The UW-Whitewater women's volleyball team followed a loss in the first game with three convincing wins to defeat UW-Oshkosh, 3-1, on Wednesday (Oct. 6) in Whitewater.

UW-Whitewater (20-2/5-1 WIAC) took the match from UW-Oshkosh (12-8/0-4 WIAC) in game scores of 27-30, 30-16, 30-14, 30-14 to remain in the hunt for this year's league championship. The contest involved a pair of nationally-ranked teams as UW-Whitewater was voted 11th in the NCAA Division III by the American Volleyball Coaches Association and UW-Oshkosh 20th.

UW-Whitewater hit .373 for the match, including .429 in the second game, .415 in the third and .412 in the fourth. UW-Oshkosh hit just .083 for the contest, including -.041 in the third game and .029 in the fourth.

Sarah Schott (So. • Winnebago, Ill.) led the Titans with 13 kills and a .379 hitting percentage. The Titans also received 22 assists and eight digs from Ashley Fischer (Jr. • Fond du Lac), nine kills and four digs from Leah Rosenbaum (Fr. • Wrightstown) and four kills and eight digs from Rebecca Masephol (Fr. • Pittsville).

Cassie Uttech paced UW-Whitewater with 19 kills, 12 digs and a .429 hitting percentage, while Jamie Konrath hit .457 with 18 kills and six digs. The Warhawks also got 12 kills and 24 digs from Kim Fruit, 59 assists and 10 digs from Abbie Mueller and 10 kills and a .409 hitting percentage from Carley Polk.

Blue Devils Conquer Titans

The UW-Oshkosh women's volleyball team suffered its second loss to a nationally-ranked conference opponent in as many days when it dropped a 3-1 decision to UW-Stout on Saturday (Oct. 2) in Kolf Sports Center.

UW-Stout (12-3/4-2 WIAC) won the match from UW-Oshkosh (12-7/0-3 WIAC) in game scores of 32-30, 28-30, 30-26 and 30-18.

UW-Stout and UW-Oshkosh both entered the contest nationally ranked as the Blue Devils were voted 15th in the NCAA Division III by the American Volleyball Coaches Association and the Titans 19th. UW-Oshkosh, which visits 12th-ranked UW-Whitewater on Wednesday (Oct. 6), lost a 3-2 decision to 16th-ranked UW-River Falls on Friday (Oct. 1) in Kolf Sports Center.

UW-Stout took game one from UW-Oshkosh after scoring the last three points of the contest. The Blue Devils overcame deficits of 29-28 and 30-29 to win the game. UW-Oshkosh jumped to leads of 11-3, 17-9 and 21-15 in the second game before UW-Stout scored seven straight points to take a 22-21 advantage. The Titans pulled out the victory by ending the game with a 9-6 scoring run.

UW-Stout vaulted to a 16-9 lead in game three before UW-Oshkosh tied the contest at 17-17. The Blue Devils broke a 19-19 tie by going on an 11-7 scoring run to win the game. The fourth and final game was all UW-Stout as the Blue Devils jumped to early leads of 11-6 and 16-9.

Amber Petersen (Sr. • Milwaukee) had 13 kills and three solo blocks to lead UW-Oshkosh, while Mary Jo Chart (Sr. • Burlington) had 12 kills, 15 digs and four service aces. The Titans also received 12 kills from Sarah Schott (So. • Winnebago, Ill.) and 11 kills and 18 digs from Rebecca Masephol (Fr. • Pittsville).

Brook Viegut recorded 23 kills and 26 digs for UW-Stout, while Tanille Hartwig contributed 16 kills and Lindsay Mensink 12. Erin Heger also had 61 assists and 19 digs for the Blue Devils.

The Blue Devils hit evenly throughout the match, but played their best offense and defense in the fourth and deciding game when they outhit the Titans, .324-.068. UW-Stout hit .324 for the match, compared to just .153 for UW-Oshkosh.

Falcons Outlast Titans

Defending WIAC champion UW-River Falls scored the last four points in the fifth and deciding game to defeat UW-Oshkosh, 3-2, in a women's volleyball match held Friday (Oct. 1) in Kolf Sports Center.

UW-River Falls took the match in game scores of 30-25, 26-30, 30-27, 15-30 and 15-12 to spoil UW-Oshkosh's 2004 home opener and Brian Schaefer's debut as the Titans' interim head coach. Schaefer was named to his position after Marty Petersen retired as UW-Oshkosh's head coach earlier in the week. Petersen had coached the Titans the past 21-plus seasons.

UW-River Falls (14-4/2-1 WIAC) and UW-Oshkosh (12-6/0-2 WIAC) both entered the contest nationally ranked as the Falcons were voted 16th in the NCAA Division III by the American Volleyball Coaches Association and the Titans 19th.

UW-River Falls built a 29-16 advantage in game one before UW-Oshkosh scored nine straight points to make the final count close. In game two, the Titans took leads of 15-9, 19-14 and 26-21 to record the win. UW-Oshkosh led most of game three before UW-River Falls rallied to post the win after scoring the contest's last five points. The fourth game was all UW-Oshkosh as the Titans jumped to leads of 14-6 and 25-12. UW-Oshkosh overcame an 11-9 deficit in game five by taking a 12-11 lead, but UW-River Falls rallied to take the contest and the match by ending the debate with four straight points.

Amber Petersen (Sr. • Milwaukee) had 19 kills and a .548 hitting percentage to lead the Titans, while Rebecca Masephol (Fr. • Pittsville) contributed 11 kills and 14 digs and Sarah Schott (So. • Winnebago, Ill.) 10 kills and a .421 hitting percentage.

The Falcons were led by the 21 kills and .354 hitting percentage of Katie Thompson. UW-River Falls also received 14 kills from Andrea Geehan and 13 kills and 11 digs from Nina Petersen.

Petersen Retires As Titans' Head Volleyball Coach

For nearly a quarter-century Marty Petersen paced the sidelines as head coach of the UW-Oshkosh women's volleyball team. As of today, she no longer will.

Petersen retired from coaching Tuesday (Sept. 28) after a distinguished 22-year career that included 630 wins, five Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) championships and three National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III Final Four appearances.

"This decision was a very difficult one for me to make," said Petersen. "On one hand I love this sport and this team, but on the other hand I'm no longer physically able to coach at the level that I feel is necessary."

Petersen replaced Betty Ralston as the head women's volleyball coach at UW-Oshkosh in 1983. Since then, the 1975 UW-Oshkosh graduate guided her alma mater to a 630-368 record (.631 winning percentage), including 12 30-plus win seasons. The Titans reached 40 wins six times under Petersen's guidance, going 42-21 in 1984, 41-20 in 1988, 44-5 in 1990, 42-8 in 1991, 41-5 in 1995 and 40-5 in 1996. Last year's team compiled a 29-9 record and ended the year ranked 21st in the NCAA Division III by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA).

"Marty has had a great run as our head women's volleyball coach," said UW-Oshkosh Director of Athletics Allen Ackerman. "Health problems have brought her successful coaching career to an early end. She will be missed in our athletics department, but I'm delighted that she will remain part of the university as a member of the intramural sports department. Marty has been a great coach and a true friend."

UW-Oshkosh qualified for NCAA Division III postseason play nine times during Petersen's tenure, highlighted by a second-place finish in 1994 and fourth-place finishes in 1991 and 1996. The Titans also competed in the NCAA Division III Championship in 1990, 1993, 1995, 1998, 2000 and 2001 and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Tournament in 1988 and 1989.

In the WIAC, Petersen led UW-Oshkosh to league titles in 1990, 1991, 1994, 1995 and 2001. The Titans also finished second in 1993.

Petersen has been honored as a coach of the year award winner four times during her UW-Oshkosh reign. She was named NCAA Division III Coach of the Year by Asics in 1994 and 1996 and WIAC Coach of the Year in 1990 and 1996.

"UW-Oshkosh has been my home for a long time," said Petersen. "The people I have worked for and with have been more than just co-workers and bosses. They have been my friends and my family. They have given me opportunities that I would never have had elsewhere. I owe a great deal to those people and this university."

Collectively, members of the UW-Oshkosh women's volleyball program have combined to receive 14 NCAA Division III All-America, one NAIA All-America and 38 All-WIAC selections under Petersen's leadership. Among the honorees is Amy Ward, who was named the NCAA Division III Player of the Year in 1996, and three-time All-Americans Amy Cayemberg (1989-91) and Christina Southward (1999-2001).

"As the saying goes, 'when one door closes, another one opens,'" said Petersen. "I look forward to the new challenges I will face, but I will never forget the players, fellow coaches and staff here at UW-Oshkosh."

Petersen's retirement means that the UW-Oshkosh women's volleyball program will usher in a new era. That era begins Friday (Oct. 1) in Kolf Sports Center when interim head coach Brian Schaefer leads UW-Oshkosh into a WIAC match against defending league champion UW-River Falls. UW-Oshkosh enters the contest with a 12-5 record and a four-match winning streak. The Titans were ranked 20th in the latest NCAA Division III poll conducted by the AVCA.

"I leave this program in very capable hands," said Petersen. "Brian has been the best assistant a head coach can have. He knows the game, knows the players and has been a great support to me for all his years here. He has earned this opportunity and I know he will be successful."

Schaefer has been an assistant coach to Petersen for the past six-plus seasons. He also has been the head coach of the men's club team at UW-Oshkosh for the past five years. Schaefer has guided the UW-Oshkosh men's club team to a 185-97-4 record and two Wisconsin Volleyball Conference (WVC) titles. Last spring, UW-Oshkosh posted a 48-11-1 record, captured the WVC title and finished fifth at the National Intramural Recreation Sports Association (NIRSA) Division I Championship. The Kaukauna native played for the UW-Oshkosh men's club team from 1994 to 1996 and from 1999 to 2001, helping the Titans to a 167-89-1 record and a NIRSA Division II title in 1996.

"I'm excited about this opportunity to lead the UW-Oshkosh women's volleyball program," said Schaefer. "I have learned a lot from Marty and will make every effort to continue and build upon the program's outstanding tradition. I am proud to be associated with UW-Oshkosh and look forward to instilling that attitude into the student-athletes I coach."

Titans Go Unbeaten At
UW-Whitewater Invitational

Behind the strong overall play of Ashley Fischer (Jr. • Fond du Lac), Amber Petersen (Sr. • Milwaukee) and Jillian Uridel (So. • Mukwonago), the UW-Oshkosh women's volleyball team went unbeaten in four matches to tie for first place at the UW-Whitewater Invitational held Friday and Saturday (Sept. 24-25) in Whitewater. It is the first time since 1997 that the Titans went undefeated at the UW-Whitewater tournament.

UW-Oshkosh (12-5), ranked 20th in the NCAA Division III by the American Volleyball Coaches Association, defeated a pair of teams from Iowa on Friday and a pair of teams from Illinois on Saturday. The Titans opened the tournament with wins of 26-30, 30-28, 30-19, 30-19 over 24th-ranked Simpson College and 30-23, 30-28, 31-33, 30-16 over Loras College. The event concluded with UW-Oshkosh ousting Illinois Wesleyan University by a 30-15, 32-30, 30-12 score and Augustana College by a 30-28, 30-24, 30-23 count.

In its opening match against Simpson College, UW-Oshkosh served 19 aces and recorded a .343 hitting percentage. Fischer totaled 47 assists, 14 digs, five kills and five service aces in the contest, while Amber Petersen (Sr. • Milwaukee) compiled 12 kills, three solo blocks and three service aces. The Titans also received 11 kills from Sarah Schott (So. • Winnebago, Ill.) and nine kills and 13 digs from Rebecca Masephol (Fr. • Pittsville).

Against Loras College, everybody on the Titans' roster saw action. Mary Jo Chart (Sr. • Burlington), Petersen and Masephol each had 14 kills in the victory, with Petersen also adding four solo blocks and three service aces. Other major contributors to the win were Fischer, who totaled 42 assists, 10 digs and six kills, and Uridel, who compiled nine digs, one kill and one service ace.

UW-Oshkosh served a season-high 20 aces against Illinois Wesleyan University, including six each by Amanda Chart (So. • Burlington) and Masephol. Mary Jo Chart had 13 kills and digs in the match, while Fischer tallied 37 assists, 14 digs, five service aces and two kills. Masephol also contributed nine kills and seven digs and Schott eight kills and .636 hitting percentage. The Titans hit .417 in their 30-12 victory in the third game.

UW-Oshkosh overcame a slow start to sweep Augustana College. The Titans hit .312 in the contest, including a .415 mark in game two. Mary Jo Chart spirited UW-Oshkosh to the win by registering 18 kills and 15 digs. Leah Rosenbaum (Fr. • Wrightstown) added 15 kills and a .500 hitting percentage, while Petersen totaled 10 kills and three service aces, Fischer 53 assists and 10 digs, Masephol 13 digs and six kills and Uridel 11 digs.

Titans Drop WIAC Opener To Pioneers

UW-Platteville lost the first game, but won the next three as it defeated UW-Oshkosh, 3-1, in a women's volleyball match played Wednesday (Sept. 22) in Platteville. The contest was the WIAC opener for the Titans.

UW-Platteville (12-1/3-1 WIAC) took the match from UW-Oshkosh (8-5/0-1 WIAC) in game scores of 26-30, 30-25, 34-32 and 30-22. The Pioneers entered the match ranked ninth in the NCAA Division III by the American Volleyball Coaches Association and the Titans 20th.

Mary Jo Chart (Sr. • Burlington) led the Titans with 21 kills and 15 digs, while Sarah Schott (So. • Winnebago, Ill.) contributed 14 kills, Amber Petersen (Sr. • Milwaukee) 11 kills and Ashley Fischer (Jr. • Fond du Lac) 38 assists, 11 digs, seven kills and four service aces.

Mal Dzubay had 17 kills, nine digs and three service aces for UW-Platteville, while teammates Andrea Coffman added 14 kills and four digs, Joanna Carlson 46 assists and Shannon Boatman 18 digs and eight kills.

UW-Platteville outhit UW-Oshkosh in the match, .248-.164, as the Titans hit just .088 in game two and .079 in game four.

Titans Rebound To Go 2-2
At Carleton College Invitational

The UW-Oshkosh women's volleyball team followed a pair of losses with a pair of wins to go 2-2 at the Carleton College Invitational held Friday and Saturday (Sept. 17-18) in Northfield, Minn.

UW-Oshkosh, ranked 18th in the NCAA Division III by the American Volleyball Coaches Association, opened the tournament with losses of 24-30, 21-30, 30-26, 30-23, 15-13 to Gustavus Adolphus College (Minn.) and 30-25, 30-24, 30-20 to Carleton College (Minn.). The Titans (8-4) rebounded from those setbacks to defeat Buena Vista University (Iowa), 24-30, 30-25, 30-15, 30-20, and Macalester College (Minn.), 30-25, 30-19, 30-25.

In the opening match of the tournament, UW-Oshkosh stormed out to a 2-0 lead before Gustavus Adolphus College rallied for the win by taking the next three games. Ashley Fischer (Jr. • Fond du Lac), who was named to the all-tournament team, dished out 55 assists while totaling 12 digs, four kills and three service aces. The Titans also received 14 kills and four solo blocks from Amber Petersen (Sr. • Milwaukee), 13 kills and 16 digs from Mary Jo Chart (Sr. • Burlington), 10 kills and three solo blocks from Leah Rosenbaum (Fr. • Wrightstown) and 10 kills from Sarah Schott (So. • Winnebago, Ill.).

UW-Oshkosh hit only .188 in its loss to Carleton College. Chart led the Titans with 15 kills, while Petersen added 12. The Titans also obtained 38 assists, 11 digs and two kills from Fischer, 10 digs from Julie Lorenz (Jr. • Aurora, Ill.) and seven kills from Kim Vail (Fr. • Madison).

Behind a career-best 22 digs from Jillian Uridel (So. • Mukwonago), UW-Oshkosh snapped its modest two-match losing streak by defeating Buena Vista University. Fischer had 39 assists, 11 digs, eight kills, four service aces and a .583 hitting percentage against Beavers, while Schott tallied 16 kills and seven digs, Chart 12 kills and 19 digs and Rosenbaum 10 kills and two solo blocks.

UW-Oshkosh's offense heated up against Macalester College as it posted a .395 hitting percentage, including a .472 mark in game two when Uridel served seven straight points. Chart paced the Titans with 18 kills and 12 digs, while Petersen compiled 13 kills, three service aces and two solo blocks. Schott chipped in with 11 kills and eight digs, while Fischer added 47 assists, 14 digs and four kills.

Titans Post 3-1 Record At
Trinity University Invitational

Mary Jo Chart (Sr. • Burlington) and Leah Rosenbaum (Fr. • Wrightstown) received all-tournament mention as the UW-Oshkosh women's volleyball team posted a 3-1 record at the Trinity University Invitational held Friday and Saturday (Sept. 10-11) in San Antonio, Texas.

UW-Oshkosh, the 24th-ranked team in the NCAA Division III by the American Volleyball Coaches Association, began the tournament with wins of 23-30, 28-30, 30-22, 30-25, 15-11 over Thomas More College (Ky.) and 30-23, 30-23, 30-26 over Texas Lutheran University. The Titans then lost 30-26, 30-22, 27-30, 30-17 to ninth-ranked Trinity University (Texas) and defeated East Texas Baptist University by a 30-24, 30-25, 32-20 count.

Chart and Rosenbaum were named to the all-tournament team after totaling 54 kills and 62 digs and 46 kills and five solo blocks, respectively.

Amber Petersen (Sr. • Milwaukee) led UW-Oshkosh to its win over Thomas More College by compiling a career-best 22 kills, including six in the fifth and deciding game. Ashley Fischer (Jr. • Fond du Lac) helped the Titans' cause by recording 57 assists, 13 digs, six service aces and four kills. UW-Oshkosh also received 16 kills and 21 digs from Chart, 17 kills from Rosenbaum and nine kills and 20 digs from Rebecca Masephol (Fr. • Pittsville).

After playing nearly two-and-one-half hours against Thomas More College, UW-Oshkosh came back strong to sweep Texas Lutheran University behind a .390 hitting percentage. The Titans committed just 12 hitting errors in the match, with only one registered in game two when they hit a glossy .533. Rosenbaum hit .556 against the Bulldogs while totaling 10 kills and two solo blocks. The Titans also received nine kills, eight digs and a .615 hitting percentage from Tina Prahl (Fr. • Wausau), 12 kills and two solo blocks from Petersen, 20 digs from Masephol and 47 assists and six digs from Fischer.

Against host Trinity University, Chart paced the Titans with 17 kills and 16 digs. Fischer had 55 assists, 16 digs and five kills, while Rosenbaum added 13 kills and Lisa Beck (So. • Darboy) 10 digs and two service aces. The Titans hit .417 in their third game victory over the Tigers.

UW-Oshkosh (6-2) had four players total 10 or more kills against East Texas Baptist University. Chart had 12 kills and 19 digs to lead the Titans in both categories, while Petersen compiled 11 kills. Fischer also compiled 44 assists, 12 digs and 10 kills, Sarah Schott (So. • Winnebago, Ill.) 10 kills and Masephol 15 digs and three service aces.

Titans Win Three Of Four Matches
At Elmhurst College Invitational

UW-Oshkosh, tabbed as the 23rd-ranked NCAA Division III women's volleyball team in the country by the American Volleyball Coaches Association, opened its 2004 season by posting a 3-1 record at the Elmhurst College Invitational held Friday and Saturday (Sept. 3-4) in Elmhurst, Ill.

UW-Oshkosh (3-1) opened the tournament by sweeping Trinity Christian College (Ill.), 30-22, 30-25, 30-25, before losing a 30-18, 30-25, 30-27 decision to 21st-ranked Elmhurst College (Ill.). The Titans concluded play by ousting the College of St. Scholastica (Minn.), 30-20, 37-39, 32-30, 30-15, and Illinois Wesleyan University, 30-27, 30-25, 30-20.

Mary Jo Chart (Sr. • Burlington) had 19 kills, 12 digs and two service aces to lead UW-Oshkosh to its win over Trinity Christian College, while Amber Petersen (Sr. • Milwaukee) totaled seven kills, six solo blocks and three service aces. Julie Lorenz (Jr. • Aurora, Ill.) recorded 13 digs for UW-Oshkosh, while Becky Masephol (Fr. • Pittsville) counted 10 digs, eight kills and four service aces.

In its nationally-ranked battle against Elmhurst College, UW-Oshkosh was unable to hold a 27-22 advantage in game three and was swept for the first time in 48 matches. Chart had 10 kills and 12 digs for the Titans, while Petersen compiled nine kills and a .411 hitting percentage. Ashley Fischer (Jr. • Fond du Lac) tallied nine digs and dished off 26 assists.

Chart led UW-Oshkosh to its win over the College of St. Scholastica by registering 23 kills, 22 digs and three service aces. Lisa Beck (So. • Darboy) set career highs with 50 assists and 19 digs, while Tina Prahl (Fr. • Wausau) chipped in 11 digs. The Titans also received 13 kills, five solo blocks and four service aces from Petersen and eight kills and seven blocks from Leah Rosenbaum (Fr. • Wrightstown). UW-Oshkosh's 37 points in game two was its highest count since rally scoring was implemented in 2001.

In the final match of the tournament, UW-Oshkosh swept Illinois Weslayan University. Beck, who had 43 assists and 13 digs in the match, served the last seven points of game three to secure the Titans' victory. Petersen led UW-Oshkosh by hitting .733 on 12 kills in 15 attempts. Rosenbaum had a strong match as well by tallying eight kills and three solo blocks. Chart added 13 kills and 13 digs, while Masephol recorded a career-best 19 digs.

Titans Picked To Finish Third In WIAC Race

The UW-Oshkosh women's volleyball team is predicted to finish third in this year's WIAC race, according to the league's nine sports information directors.

UW-Whitewater, which has secured conference titles in six of the last eight seasons, is favored to win this year's league championship. Defending co-champion UW-La Crosse in picked to finish second and UW-Eau Claire fourth.

Marty Petersen, who begins her 22nd season as UW-Oshkosh's head coach, welcomes back three starters from last year's team that posted a 29-9 record and placed fourth in the WIAC with a 5-3 mark. Among the returning starters is Amber Petersen, a senior middle blocker who received All-WIAC first team honors a year ago.

UW-Oshkosh opens its 2004 season on Friday (Sept. 3) by playing contests against Illinois Wesleyan University and Trinity Christian College in Elmhurst, Ill. The Titans enter the matches ranked 23rd in the NCAA Division III by the American Volleyball Coaches Association.

2004 Season Preview

In 2003, the UW-Oshkosh women's volleyball team ranked 21st in the final NCAA Division III poll, recorded 20-plus wins for the 10th time in 11 years and graduated an All-America performer for the eighth time in 11 seasons.

This fall, UW-Oshkosh head women's volleyball coach Marty Petersen will once again try to keep her program among the best in the NCAA Division III by attempting to blend seven returning letter winners with a talented group of newcomers.

Starters Amber Petersen (Sr. • Milwaukee), Ashley Fischer (Jr. • Fond du Lac) and Mary Jo Chart (Sr. • Burlington) return from last year's UW-Oshkosh squad that posted a 29-9 record and placed fourth in the WIAC with a 5-3 mark. The Titans played an extremely difficult schedule in 2003, with five of their wins and eight of their losses coming against teams that were listed in the top 24 of the final NCAA Division III poll.

"I was a little surprised at last year's performance because of the stiff competition," said Marty Petersen, who has guided the Titans to a 22-year record of 618-363. "But, we competed well and were within a loss or two of receiving a postseason bid."

Amber Petersen, a middle blocker, is being counted on to be a force in the UW-Oshkosh attack this season. Petersen received All-WIAC first team honors last year after hitting .369 with 406 kills, a league-high 218 blocks, 99 digs and 77 service aces. Petersen has played in 387 of UW-Oshkosh's 391 games the past three years, totaling 940 kills, 528 blocks and 127 service aces. In 2001, the American Volleyball Coaches Association named Petersen the NCAA Division III Midwest Region Freshman Player of the Year.

Much of UW-Oshkosh's offense this season is expected to run through the hands of Fischer, a setter. Fischer collected All-WIAC honorable mention status last year after compiling 1,702 assists, 364 digs, 189 kills, 105 blocks and a league-best 92 service aces. Fischer, who transferred to UW-Oshkosh after playing the 2002 season at NCAA Division II University of Minnesota-Duluth, appeared in 138 of the Titans' 139 games a year ago.

Another returning starter for the Titans is Chart, a right-side hitter. Chart registered 193 kills, 97 digs and 57 blocks last season while playing in 113 games. Her 306-game UW-Oshkosh career includes 413 kills, 313 digs and 141 blocks.

Looking to compete for the starting positions vacated by All-American Amanda Delgadillo, Tina Hegemann and Kaylan Tolfa are returning letter winners Lisa Beck (So. • Darboy), Tina Beck (So. • Darboy), Sarah Schott (So. • Winnebago, Ill.) and Jessica Woelfel (So. • New Holstein).

Schott, a left-side hitter, played in 135 games last year after receiving a medical redshirt in 2002. Her 2003 campaign resulted in 346 kills, 99 digs, 66 blocks and 12 service aces. The Beck sisters, both defensive specialists, also contributed significantly a year ago as Lisa totaled 248 digs and 41 service aces in 126 contests played and Tina 196 digs and 40 service aces in 78 games played. Woelfel, a right-side hitter, saw action in 32 contests a year ago and compiled 31 digs, 27 kills and 14 blocks.

Setter Amanda Chart (So. • Burlington), Mary Jo's sister, and defensive specialist Jillian Uridel (So. • Mukwonago) round out the returning players from last year's team. The younger Chart played in 22 games and totaled 28 digs and nine service aces last year, while Uridel played in 21 contests and tabulated 32 digs and four service aces.

Leading UW-Oshkosh's list of newcomers is libero Julie Lorenz (Jr. • Aurora, Ill.). Lorenz received National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division III All-America honorable mention status last year while attending the College of DuPage (Ill.). Lorenz helped the Chaparrals to a 56-30 record the past two years, highlighted by last season's fourth-place finish at the NJCAA Division III Championship.

Other additions to the UW-Oshkosh program this year are freshmen Lindsey Erickson of Madison Memorial, Rebecca Masephol of Auburndale, Tara O'Brien of North Fond du Lac, Tina Prahl of Wausau East, Leah Rosenbaum of Wrightstown, Kim Vail of Madison Memorial high schools.