Schroeder-Biek gives young Belles stability
By KATIE McVOY
Assistant Sports Editor
Graduation left Saint Mary's volleyball with several voids on their roster and few familiar returning faces.
But the return of Julie Schroeder-Biek to the head coach position fills one of those voids with much needed stability.
"The volleyball team is young because we graduated most of the squad," athletic director Lynn Kachmarik said. "But we're excited because we have an alumnae as the new coach."
Schroeder-Biek, who graduated from Saint Mary's in 1988, has a long history with the school. After recovering from a back injury at the University of Wisconsin, she transferred to Saint Mary's with one year of NAIA eligibility.
Schroeder-Biek played on the team in the 1986 season, and during her senior year at Saint Mary's, she became the assistant coach for the 1987 season.
Schroeder-Biek returned to Saint Mary's in 1991 to act as the head women's volleyball coach, and remained the head coach until 1996 when her daughter began kindergarten.
"I wanted to be home with her," she said, but she missed her job.
"I missed it incredibly much," Schroeder-Biek said. "I helped out a lot that first year, and when Lynn Kachmarik asked me to come back when the spot opened up this year, I was very excited."
Although the team is young, Schroeder-Biek is looking forward to coaching the Saint Mary's women again.
"I love coaching Saint Mary's women," she said. "They're intelligent. They're playing because they want to play."
Saint Mary's, a Division III school, does not offer athletic scholarships. Athletes, therefore, are not playing because of possible scholarship money. Schroeder-Biek likes this Division III philosophy.
"They are there for the love of the game," she said.
The Belles are returning only four members of last year's team that finished with an overall record of 17-15 and an MIAA record of 5-3.
Senior Victoria Butcko and juniors Angela Myers, Jolie LeBeau, and Jaime Dineen will be the nucleus of the Saint Mary's volleyball team this season.
Joining the four returning players are eight freshman players and one new junior player who will fill in the gaps left by last year's graduating seniors.
The team will meet on Monday, August 28, to determine team captains.
The Belles open their season with MIAA matches on Friday and Saturday, September 1-2, at the Alma Tournament.
All Sports Stories for Friday, August 25, 2000
