By MIKE KEMMETER
of The Gazette
With six starters back from last year, including three seniors that are entering their third year as starters, it's understandable why the Stevens Point Area Senior High girls volleyball team is excited about the 2000 season.
The Panthers, who last won a Wisconsin Valley Conference title in 1997, expect to be in the thick of the race for the conference crown. Making matters better for coach Steve Wehrwein, nine of his 11 varsity players played volleyball in the offseason with a club team.
"I get tingles just thinking about it," Wehrwein said. "They have this feeling that something's going to happen. They've taken initiative to make sure something's going to happen.
"I know that they feel they ought to be competitive for the conference championship. I would say that they would like to get out of regionals and into sectionals and see what happens."
Leading the list of returnees are three-year starters and co-captains Rachel Krueser, Cassie Dudeck and Darcia Wesenberg. Krueser is the team's middle hitter, Dudeck is the strongside hitter and Wesenberg is a setter.
"I would say Rachel Krueser is an all-state player," Wehrwein said. "Everybody else is so strong that that's where the excitement comes from."
The list of returning starters continues with seniors Michele Rosicky and Beth Wright, and junior Mindy Slattery. Wright is also a setter. Junior Ashley Konopacki came off of the bench last year on the varsity team.
"All of my seniors are strong. Three have started since they were sophomores so this is their year," Wehrwein said. "I have my number one and two offensive starters back and my two setters back."
The Panthers also have a quartet of newcomers -- juniors Kelly Korbisch and Brooke Roth, and sophomores Sam Polito and Megan Wehrwein.
"Fundamentally, they do everything well. But beyond that, they've learned to play quick volleyball and I think they will be doing things offensively that other teams are not capable of doing or haven't progressed to," Wehrwein said.
"I'm doing things in the first weeks of practice that teams I've had in other years were never able to do. They know the game. It's just a matter of practicing and execution."
In the conference race, Wehrwein thinks the Panthers will be among the top teams.
"Marshfield has been dominant the last couple of years. The championship is up for grabs.
"My own best guess is it's going to be Stevens Point and Wausau East," said Wehrwein, adding that Wausau West may be there too.
The Panthers opened their season Tuesday at Eau Claire and Wehrwein said his team will be tested against some of the state's top teams at the Wisconsin Sprawl, at Menomonie, Sept. 1-2. The Sprawl has 24 teams, including state-caliber teams in all divisions. SPASH finished in 10th place the last two years. The Neenah Tournament on Saturday, Sept. 30 will also put SPASH against some of the state's best teams, Wehrwein said.