TicketsSept. 11, 2006
by Katie Voltz, Sports Communications Student Assistant
(Originally published in Sept. 2 issue of Bearcats Kickoff)
"One more season to give it all you got," is what setter Noel Olson knows has to happen in her senior year at UC. Not only is Olson a senior, but is also a co-captain for the 2006 team. She is anticipating a great year and hopes that it is even better than her past three years.
Behind Olson's leadership, the team heads into its second year in the BIG EAST Conference. The BIG EAST is one of the top conferences for volleyball, but with a strong leader like Olson running the offense, the Bearcats will stay strong under the pressure.
In her freshman year, Olson was a back-up setter to Laura Lauder, who was exceptional. Olson was able to gain knowledge and experience from Lauder during that first year, which taught her the things she needed to then be successful in the future years.
Olson explains, "the experience was great, I was very lucky to learn from her." Olson's experience and leadership has influenced the whole team every year.
The experience obviously has paid off with Olson now ranked fourth in career assists in school history. With still another year, she hopes to move up at least into the top three, but would love to be at the top. Another incredible accomplishment Olson received this year was being named to the Preseason All-BIG EAST Team.
The accomplishments to Olson are only good if they help the team, and she hopes that they will. Going into her senior year she has high hopes for herself, which is keeping the hitters in double digit kills. "With hitters improving, and the offense running better, only then will I know that I have improved myself," she says. "It is not about me, though. It is the team."
Olson's leadership skills in past three seasons became quite obvious and so becoming captain is something she has wanted and is ready for. The title of captain is a role that she plans to hold with the utmost respect. The starting setter has led the team with great leadership each year, and the continuation of that will keep the team whole. There is a need, Olson explained, for the whole team to continue to be on the same page, and she plans to help keep everyone focused on the goal for the upcoming season.
To Olson, the true goal of the team is, "to go to the NCAA Tournament. Of course it would be even greater if we won, but first our team wants to be back in the NCAA tournament."
When she was just a freshman Olson had the opportunity to go to the NCAA Tournament and would like to return this year because the team has not gone in the past two years. The captain also wants the team back in the top 25. "Not only do I want the team back up in the rankings because it is great for our team, but also for the University and the program for years to come."
The team was picked to finish third this season in the BIG EAST Conference, one place better than last year, but as Olson puts it, "we want to be first. The goal of the team is to win and win it all."