Head Coach Kent Miller

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Geoffrey McKinney
5 years ago
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When Kent Miller took the reins of the University of Toledo women s volleyball program over a decade ago, the Rockets had just two winning seasons in 17 years to their credit.

Miller also will be aiming to guide Toledo into the Mid-American Conference Tournament semifinals for the third time in the last four years.

1 When Kent Miller took the reins of the University of Toledo women s volleyball program over a decade ago, the Rockets had just two winning seasons in 17 years to their credit. Now as Miller embarks on his 12th year as UT s mentor he has tripled that total and in 2008 the Rockets will be looking to post their third winning season in the last five years. Miller also will be aiming to guide Toledo into the Mid-American Conference Tournament semifinals for the third time in the last four years. Highlighting Miller s career is the 2005 squad that posted an ledger and advanced to the Mid-American Conference Tournament semifinals. The Rockets also registered UT s best Head Coach Kent Miller The Miller File Full Name: Kent A. Miller. Family: Wife, Melissa. Hometown: Anchorage, AK. Date of Birth: May 10, Coaching Experience: Head Coach at UT, 1997-present Asst. Coach USA Women s National Team, Asst. Coach Alaska-Anchorage, 1985 Asst. Coach Oregon State, College: Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics, Oregon State Univ., Organizations: American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA). winning percentage (.563) in conference play in school history that season with a 9-7 win-loss mark, and notched UT s first two MAC Tournament triumphs ever. UT s success in 2005 continued the momentum from the 2004 season when Miller led Toledo to a ledger and captured a school-record three tournament titles. Miller posted UT s first winning record in conference play ever with a 10-8 record in the 2001 campaign, which also included the second-best overall winning percentage (.607) in program history with a mark that year. During Miller s tenure, Toledo has broken 11 team and 14 individual school records. In 2006, Lora Sarich became UT s all-time leader in digs and digs per game and Kate Bean took over the top spot in career attack attempts. Academics have also been a primary focus for the Rockets under Miller. His teams have registered the athletic department s highest semester GPA on four occasions, including an amazing mark in the Spring 2007 semester. Even more impressive was the squad s best-ever Toledo Volleyball GPA in Spring 2006, giving it a 3.3 team GPA or higher in 17 of the last 19 semesters. That mark also gave UT the highest team GPA in NCAA Division I volleyball in the academic year. On an individual basis, former Rocket Kate Bean was a two-time first-team selection for ESPN The Magazine s Academic All-America squad in 2005 and She was the first volleyball player in school history to earn Academic All-America accolades. Miller s coaching background includes top-level collegiate, national, international and Olympic experi- Team GPA by Semester Fall Spring Fall Spring Fall Spring Fall Spring Fall Spring Fall Kent and his wife, Melissa. Spring Fall Spring Fall Spring Fall Spring Fall Spring Fall Spring

2 Outlook Coaches Players Opponents 2007 Review History Records University Head Coach Kent Milller ence. Before coming to Toledo, Miller served as an assistant coach with the USA Women s Olympic Team from , initially as technical coordinator, then as offensive coordinator. During his tenure, the USA Team had a great deal of success, including the 1992 Olympic Bronze Medal, the 1990 World Championship Bronze Medal and the 1995 World Grand Prix Gold Medal. Miller, 47, has also coached in the NVA Pro Indoor League, earning league championships in 1994 and 1995 on the Bud Light Pro Beach Tour and in the World Club Championships. Miller has had the opportunity to coach players such as Kim Oden, Caren Kemner, Paula Weishoff, Liz Masakayan, Lori Endicott, Danielle Scott-Arruda, Tara Cross Battle and others. Miller has been an instructor and speaker at USA women s volleyball clinics, the American Volleyball Coaches Association convention and the Athletic Sports Foundation. A native of Anchorage, AK, Miller earned a bachelor of science degree in engineering physics from Oregon State University in He served as an assistant coach at his alma mater for four years and helped coach the Beavers to an appearance in the 1983 NCAA Tournament. Miller and his wife, Melissa, reside in Toledo. - MILLER S COLLEGIATE COACHING LEDGER - Head Coach Overall Conference Year School W-L-T Pct. W-L Pct Toledo Toledo Toledo Toledo Toledo Toledo Toledo Toledo Toledo Toledo Toledo Totals Assistant Coach Overall Conference Year School W-L-T Pct. W-L Pct Oregon State N/A 1981 Oregon State N/A 1982 Oregon State Oregon State Oregon State Alaska-Anchorage Totals Note: Miller served as an assistant coach with the U.S. Women s Olympic Volleyball squad from Rocket Volleyball Summer Camps Each year, Head Coach Kent Miller holds camps for youth in the Toledo area. Below is a list of each of the camps: General Skill Development Camp Skills Clinics One-Day Libero/Defensive Specialist Camp One-Day Rocket Challenge Tournament Satellite Camps (UT coaches come to your school!) For more information and the dates for the 2009 camps, please call (419) or go to volleyballcamp/ Toledo Volleyball 9

Q: Injuries to key players played a large part in last year s disappointing 4-24 campaign. How frustrating was going through a season like that?

We clearly struggled primarily due to losing two significant players (Emi Holsclaw and Ashley Rucki) to injuries, while shoulder and back issues greatly reduced the effectiveness of another (Sarah

The only good thing that came as a result of those injuries was that some of our young players gained experience that they wouldn t have otherwise.

3 Q: Injuries to key players played a large part in last year s disappointing 4-24 campaign. How frustrating was going through a season like that? Miller: It was hard for the team to go through, but some of the things that happened were out of our control. We clearly struggled primarily due to losing two significant players (Emi Holsclaw and Ashley Rucki) to injuries, while shoulder and back issues greatly reduced the effectiveness of another (Sarah Kreher). Unfortunately, two of those players were seniors and replacing players with that type of experience is difficult. The only good thing that came as a result of those injuries was that some of our young players gained experience that they wouldn t have otherwise. Q: How do you prevent last year s struggles from affecting the team s outlook in the upcoming campaign? Miller: One of our objectives this year is to get our team to look forward instead of back. I m excited about 2008, and we re looking at the year as a fresh start. I think as long as our team comes in prepared and plays with confidence, we ll be a better volleyball club with a lot more depth. Last year was an aberration for us, because we were a competitive team at times, especially in the first part of the season. As the season Q & A with Coach Miller went along, it became more difficult. Q: What area of the team do you believe has made the biggest improvement? Getting to Know Kent Miller Hobbies: Home remodeling, hockey, guitar. Favorite TV Show: 24. Favorite foods: Italian, Mexican. Favorite athlete: Wayne Gretzky. Favorite actor: Ed Norton. Favorite actress: Nicole Kidman. Favorite things about Toledo: The variety of restaurants. Favorite movie: Shawshank Redemption. Earliest sports memory: Playing street hockey growing up. Greatest athletic moment: Assistant coach for USA s bronze medal team in 1992 Olympics. Sports teams I followed growing up were: Boston Bruins, Washington Redskins and Pittsburgh Pirates. Favorite place I ve visited: Switzerland. If I won $1 million, I would: Buy my wife a Mini Cooper. Things I like to do are: Travel, work on house and enjoy time with friends. Miller: We ve taken some tremendous steps with our middle blocking position. I think it s going to go from somewhat of a neutral to a positive for us. We have three juniors (Lyndsey Holt, Liz Sundburg, Sarah Wilson) returning in the middle, and each brings something different to the table. They have really expanded what they re capable of doing, and we re going to let them battle it out for playing time. We re also adding 6-3 freshman Lindsey Witmer, who could contribute this year as well. Q: The team was very young at the outside hitter position last season and experienced many ups and downs as a result. How critical is getting more consistency from the outside hitters to the team s success? Miller: I think it s very important that we become a more consistent team from both antennas. Senior Shannon Strachan needs to be a big part of our success, because she can be an explosive, gamechanging player at times. Junior Stephanie Kersting and sophomore Margot Joniec made significant strides in the Toledo Volleyball spring and are playing at a higher and more consistent level than they ever have. We also have sophomore Katie Westerfeld, who played a lot in the fall but sat out the spring due to injury. Finally, we have added depth, with freshman Amber DeWeerdt and Cassie Kleespies, that will allow us to be more consistent with our ball control yet effective at the net. Q: Your depth at the setter position last year was very limited with Emi Holsclaw missing the season due to injury and Sarah Kreher only able to play sporadically. How does it feel to have two quality setters to turn to this season? Miller: We re going to be much stronger at the setter position with junior Mallory Ladd and freshman Kassie Kadera. We ve been lacking depth at this position the last couple of years. Mallory had a very good spring and is becoming more comfortable and familiar with our hitters, while Kassie is a high-level player who could come in and compete for court time as well. Q: You will have many options to choose from at the libero position, as well as the defensive back row specialists. Can you talk about your depth in that area? Miller: I think the libero position is wide open. Senior Lori Ruth has done a fantastic job and should find her way onto the court in some role. We also will have junior-college transfers Elisha Milks and Mallory Strall, as well as freshman Melissa Lovell, who could contribute. There also is the possibility that some of our outside hitters could help us in a defensive capacity.

Outlook Coaches Players Opponents 2007 Review History Records University Associate Head Coach Greg Reitz Greg Reitz begins his first season as associate head coach and his fifth campaign overall with

Reitz works with the team s outside hitters, in addition to assisting with on-floor coaching, recruiting, scouting and travel.

4 Outlook Coaches Players Opponents 2007 Review History Records University Associate Head Coach Greg Reitz Greg Reitz begins his first season as associate head coach and his fifth campaign overall with the Rockets program. During his tenure, he has helped UT reached the conference semifinals in two straight seasons (2005, 2006) for the first time in the program s 28-year history. Reitz works with the team s outside hitters, in addition to assisting with on-floor coaching, recruiting, scouting and travel. He previously served as a graduate assistant for UT in the academic year. A native of Huntington Beach, CA, Reitz spent two years as an assistant coach at UTEP before returning to Toledo. He assisted in all phases of the Miners program during his time in El Paso, TX, including recruiting, implementing the defense, training the outside hitters and practice preparation. Prior to his stint at UTEP, Reitz served two years as head women s volleyball coach and strength and conditioning coach for St. Joseph s College, an NCAA Division II school in Rensselaer, IN. Under Reitz, the Pumas produced their first all-conference player in three years. Reitz, 33, graduated from Long Beach State in 1997 with a degree in kinesiology and then received his master s degree in exercise science from UT in May During his stay in Toledo, Reitz also served as head coach with the Glass City Volleyball Club for two years. Reitz is single and resides in Toledo. The Reitz File FULL NAME Gregory Allan Reitz. BORN 11/17/74 in Bellflower, CA. HOMETOWN Huntington Beach, CA. EDUCATION B.A. in kinesiology, Long Beach State 97. M.S. in exercise science, Univ. of Toledo 00. COACHING EXPERIENCE Associate head coach, Univ. of Toledo Assistant coach, Univ. of Toledo Assistant coach, Univ. of Texas-El Paso Head coach, St. Joseph s (IN) College Graduate assistant, Univ. of Toledo Head coach, Glass City VB Club Head coach (boys), Servite (CA) H.S. Varsity Head coach (boys), Surf City VB Club Assistant coach (men s), Golden West College. PLAYING EXPERIENCE Professional Volleyball Tour Long Beach State Golden West College. Getting to Know Greg Reitz Hobbies: Volleyball and camping. Favorite TV Show: Seinfeld. Favorite Foods: Pizza and pasta. Best Times of My Life: Playing volleyball, graduations. Plans for the future: Be happy. Favorite things about Toledo: The people and the city. Favorite movies: Dumb and Dumber, Shawshank Redemption, Unforgiven. Favorite comedians: Jim Carrey, Dave Chappelle, Chevy Chase. Earliest sports memory: Playing soccer and baseball when I was four. Primary inspirations in sports were: George Brett, Steve Timmons. Sports teams I followed growing up were: Los Angeles Angels, San Francisco 49ers. Favorite place I ve visited: The Big Island of Hawaii. My most prized possession is: My faith. If I won $1 million, I would: Pay way more taxes Toledo Volleyball 11

Assistant Coach Jenni Horvath Jenni Horvath enters her first season as an assistant coach with the Rockets program following a four-year playing career at Xavier University.

She is a talented young coach who will bring new ideas and a lot of enthusiasm to our team. Jenni has a great understanding of the game as well as what it takes to be successful as a team.

5 Assistant Coach Jenni Horvath Jenni Horvath enters her first season as an assistant coach with the Rockets program following a four-year playing career at Xavier University. Her duties will consist of on-floor coaching, recruiting, scouting and academic planning. We are excited to have Jenni join our program, Miller said. She is a talented young coach who will bring new ideas and a lot of enthusiasm to our team. Jenni has a great understanding of the game as well as what it takes to be successful as a team. She is a great addition to our staff. Horvath played a key role at right-side hitter for the Musketeers 2007 NCAA Tournament squad as a senior, ranking third on the team in digs (2.88) and service aces (0.19) per game and posting 2.27 kills per game and a.206 hitting percentage for a balanced offensive attack. She received A-10 All-Tournament Team honors after posting 14 kills and 20 digs in a semifinal win over Saint Louis and nine terminations and 11 digs in the championship match vs. Dayton. Horvath also earned A-10 All-Tourney honors as a junior when she tallied a then-career high 19 digs against Dayton in the semifinals. During her playing career, Xavier posted a (.648) overall mark and an impressive (.811) Atlantic 10 ledger. A native of Oxford, OH, Horvath holds the school record for kills at Stephen T. Badin High School (Hamilton, OH). She was selected to the Cincinnati Enquirer s All-Star Volleyball First-Team two years in a row and also was named to the Southwest Ohio Volleyball Coaches Association s First-Team All-City as a senior. Horvath comes from an athletic family with her grandfather, Bob Ptacek, earning team MVP honors as a quarterback at the University of Michigan in 1958 before playing professionally with the Cleveland Browns (1959) and the CFL s Saskatchewan Roughriders ( ). In addition, her father, Thomas, played baseball at Eastern Kentucky, and her sister, Allie, is a junior on the University of Pittsburgh women s swimming and diving team. Horvath graduated from Xavier in 2008 with a bachelor s degree in advertising. The Horvath File FULL NAME Jennifer Nicole Horvath. BORN 1/26/86 in Oxford, OH. HOMETOWN Oxford, OH. EDUCATION B.A. in advertising, Xavier University 08. COACHING EXPERIENCE 2008-pres. Assistant coach, Univ. of Toledo PLAYING EXPERIENCE & HONORS Xavier University Toledo Volleyball Getting to Know Jenni Horvath Interests: Going to the pool, hiking. scrapbooking. Favorite TV Shows: Without a Trace and Project Runway. Favorite Foods: Chipotle. Best times of my life: Playing four years of volleyball at Xavier University. Plans for the future: Continue my coaching career and eventually start a family. Favorite things about Toledo: How nice and helpful everyone has been to me. Favorite movie: Wedding Crashers. Favorite comedians: Kevin James and my grandpa. Earliest sports memory: Summer swim team with my sister Allie. Primary inspirations in sports were: My grandpa (who played for the Browns) and my dad. Favorite place I ve visited: Destin, FL (because my whole family goes). My most prized possession is: My little stuffed panda bear named PJ. If I won $1 million, I would: Go on vacation and invest it!

COACH BIOGRAPHIES MUNSON

COACH BIOGRAPHIES MUNSON COACH BIOGRAPHIES COLLEEN MUNSON HEAD COACH Texas-Arlington 92 4th Year at WMU (62-36.633) 9th Year Head Coach (114-135.458) Munson to become the second most efficient hitter in the MAC (.313 attack percentage).