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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star
The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Defense a specialty for NIU’s Vander Meer

By Brian Hayes | November 12, 1992

If you take a look at the 1992 NIU Volleyball Media Guide, it says the following about Amy Vander Meer:

"5-6, Junior, Palos Park, Carl Sandburg High School."

That's easy. Height, class, hometown and high school. No problem. Then it has a line underneath all of the above information that is somewhat perplexing:

"Defensive specialist."

It sounds important when you say it. ‘Defensive specialist.' Actually, it sounds like a position in the medical field or in the military. In reality, it is a position on the volleyball team that Vander Meer plays very well and enjoys.

"I like playing it (defensive specialist) a lot. It's easier for me than the taller girls," said Vander Meer. "I don't really go by statistics. If I feel I have played a good game, then I'm happy."

Although Vander Meer admits to not looking at statistics, there are a couple of numbers that are hard to avoid. She has had more than 200 digs in each of the last two seasons, and if all goes well, she will surpass that again this season—she has 167 with four matches left.

Another impressive number is the fact that she will appear in her 100th match as a Huskie this Saturday afternoon. All this from someone who was a walk-on to head coach Pete Waite's club just two years ago.

Vander Meer played high school volleyball for Carl Sandburg. There she was an All-SICA North selection. In 1989, she was a co-captain and was rated the No. 6 Chicago-area defensive player by the Chicago Sun-Times.

She received a scholarship in 1991 after playing in 1990 as a walk-on. In her freshman season she played in 34 matches and had 202 digs, placing her sixth on the team with 1.73 digs per game. Last season, she appeared in 36 matches and was fifth in digs with 273.

However, Vander Meer is concentrating on the possibility of things to come for her and the team in the coming weeks.

"My goals are for us to win the (Mid-Continent) conference tournament and if we are invited to the NCAA (Tournament) or the NIVC (Tournament), I want to play good defense and help the team," said Vander Meer. "I want us to play great matches and as hard as we possibly can."

NIU’s Baker, Mason shine on their night

By John Dietz | November 11, 1992

Thanks for the memories. That was the message the NIU volleyball team and its fans gave two seniors who will not be returning to Chick Evans Field House for another regular season match. Wendy Mason and Andrea Baker have both spent four years here at...

Kozak deceives Huskie opponents

By John Dietz | November 10, 1992

When volleyball fans think of a typical spiker, many envision a Kori Schauer who stands at 6-4 or Amy Foulke who is 6-0. Well, Nikki Kozak out of Winfield stands at 5-7 and is the shortest of NIU's outside hitters. To compensate for size, Kozak tries...

NIU ends home slate in perfect fashion

By Brian Hayes | November 9, 1992

OME: 10-0. That is what the press guides and game programs will say about the 1992 NIU volleyball team as it completed the home portion of this season's slate unblemished. NIU has not lost a home match since last Nov. 1 at the hands of Illinois State....

Volleyball team returns for home finales

By Brian Hayes | November 6, 1992

This is it. NIU will wrap up the home portion of its 1992 schedule this weekend. Tonight, the University of Illinois-Chicago Flames will invade Chick Evans Field House. First serve is slated for 7 p.m. On Saturday, the Valparaiso Lady Crusaders provide...

Despite the losses, road trip pumps up NIU volleyball team

By John Dietz | November 3, 1992

When a 19-2 volleyball squad returns from a road trip in which it went 2-3, the feeling would usually be one of disappointment. However, the caliber of competition in the state of California is a bit more formidable than what the Huskies usually see....

Schauer provides the Huskies’ kill

By John Dietz | November 3, 1992

Strength, power and size. Three attributes that can send opposing volleyball teams into panic or at least grave concern. Belvidere's Kori Schauer possesses all three and with her experience level rising, she can only improve. Schauer stands 6-4 and uses...

Volleyball squad returns home for two

By John Dietz | November 2, 1992

The two teams that will be invading DeKalb this weekend, Youngstown State and Cleveland State, will both have a most difficult task at hand. That task is to come into the Huskies' den (Chick Evans Field House) and stop the volleyball squad's six-match...

California provides bumpy times for NIU

By Rob Bolton | November 2, 1992

This time of year, southern California bodes well for the ones desiring warmth and isolation from the everyday norm. Well, those amenities can compare to some of the characteristics of what awaits the NIU volleyball team the next time it hits the hardwood....

49ers sweep away NIU’s win streak

By Brian Hayes | October 30, 1992

They say that all winning streaks must come to an end. For the NIU volleyball team, its streak ended late last night. The Huskies lost a three-set match to the No. 3 team in the nation, Long Beach State, by scores of 15-0, 15-8, 15-6. The loss ended the...

Call filling the ‘hole’ in the net

By Mark D. Morrey | October 28, 1992

At the end of the soccer season last year, NIU head coach Willy Roy found himself with a very large hole to fill. His goalkeeper of the last four seasons, Markus Roy, was leaving the net. To fill Markus' big shoes were sophomore Dan Green and junior Jeff...

Huskies heading west for encounter with national power Long Beach St.

By Brian Hayes | October 28, 1992

Go west young man. That is exactly what Pete Waite is going to do as he takes the NIU volleyball team to the Golden State this weekend. The team heads to Long Beach, Calif., tonight for a match with the 49ers of Long Beach State University Thursday in...

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