Although the road senior middle blocker Amy Vander Meer has followed throughout her four years at NIU has been filled with ups and downs, in the end she is one of only five players who can rightfully proclaim none of this would have been capable without her.

Vander Meer knew she would attend NIU before she knew her status on the squad, but as everything came together she enjoyed a spectacular freshman year.

As a walk-on freshman in 1990 she played in 117 games, was sixth on the team with a 1.73 digs per game average, and served up 21 aces.

“I love this school and I love the girls on the team and I was going to come to Northern Illinois (University) no matter what, but playing on the team made it even better,” Vander Meer said.

With her efforts shown in 1990, head coach Pete Waite offered her a scholarship as he sat and watched what the year before was a walk-on now serve up 45 service aces, and finish fifth in digs to help her team to a 27-9 season, their best since 1981.

As Waite saw her practice and perfect her game he saw a brilliant defensive specialist start to come alive in 1992. She dug a season high of 15 three times against Pittsburgh (9-12-92), California State-Northridge (10-30-92), and Cleveland State (11-13-92).

However, her senior year she has been utilized more for serving than the defense she provides, as she has taken a back seat to Kori Schauer, who dominates seemingly every Mid-Con opponent at her position.

“It’s hard for me. I wish I was playing more, but we have people that are better able to play some positions,” she said.

Although her statistics are down this year, which can only be expected of someone who isn’t playing, she still has seen time in 61 games.

She always enters the court with a smile, but underneath lies the determination and will which Vander Meer possesses that has brought the team to this point.

For Vander Meer, it is a time in her life she will never forget, and for NIU, she is an athlete which can never be replaced.

“I feel I’ve been really lucky and fortunate having a good four years here and I love every time I step on the court and everything I’ve been able to accomplish,” she said.

As her senior year draws to a close, Vander Meer is grateful to have played for such a dominating force. Although this year hasn’t seen as much playing time for her, when she stands on the floor for the first round of the NCAA tournament, she will know that it wasn’t just her statistics that put her team there, it was the smile she always showed, the determinism she will always possess and the will that makes her the best.