Volleyball: Leading a program's turnaround

Every so often a senior class comes along that becomes so synonymous with the program that it's hard to imagine the team moving on without them.

For Penn volleyball, the class of 2004 is such a group.

Elisabeth Kwak-Hefferan, Heather Janssen, Meghan Schloat and Lauren Carter arrived at Penn in 2000 with the hope that they could turn around a Quakers team that had not won an Ivy League Championship since 1990.

They have accomplished more than anyone -- perhaps excluding themselves -- could have imagined.

Penn, having already clinched at least an Ivy League co-championship, goes for the outright title tonight at home against Princeton. There is plenty of reason for optimism and nostalgia as the Quakers' heart and soul will lead them at the Palestra for the final time.

The Class of 2004 has transformed the program with its talent, attitude and team spirit. Winners of three consecutive Ivy League Championships, the four seniors have not only brought glory to Penn for the short term, but have also established a tradition of excellence and teamwork that will stay with the program long after they graduate.

"We'd like to be remembered as part of the class that kind of changed Penn volleyball," Kwak-Hefferan said. "Before we came here, it had been 10 or 11 years since we'd won a championship, and now we've won three in a row."

To state that they are talented is only the tip of the iceberg.

"Physically, they're the most talented class I've ever had," Penn coach Kerry Major Carr said. "And they are all teachers; they've cultivated our underclassmen with their work ethic, driving the team. Not one of them is a selfish player. The team is first, the individual is after, and that's gonna stay."

Each member of the foursome has taken a different path to personal and team success.

Kwak-Hefferan and Janssen were expected to contribute right away, and have led the Quakers on the court since their freshman year. Schloat filled a reserve role her first two years, but has blossomed since, taking over the leadership role of setter at the beginning of last year.

Carter -- called "Wiley," her middle name, by coaches and teammates -- has been a versatile contributor off the bench the past four years.

These players in these roles have led a three-year run of league dominance.

But the seniors define their stay in West Philadelphia by far more than just wins and losses.

"It's our team unity that really stands out," Janssen said. "We're basically a family, both on and off the court, and that really shows when we play volleyball."

Carr is excited about the talent and the possibilities for next year's freshman class, but the coach warned that in order to live up to this year's seniors, they will have to master the game on both the physical and mental levels.

The new class "might have some of the same ability as our seniors," Carr said. "But the new players will have to grow a mentality for the game. It's in this area that the group's true leadership style has really come forth."

Part of this team mentality is the belief that it can and will win any match. Because of this, the seniors still hope to accomplish the one thing that has eluded them -- a first-round NCAA Tournament victory.

"Winning three Ivies is such a huge feat, but I know they want to play the best they can in the NCAAs," Carr said.

The seniors themselves expressed great satisfaction in their college careers, but indicated that there is indeed some unfinished business.

"I'm definitely not satisfied yet," Kwak-Hefferan said. "We have a lot of work to do, and we have really high goals, even beyond Princeton."

When asked whether she would be disappointed to leave without an NCAA victory, the Quakers' all-time kills leader seemed more disappointed that her career is coming to end.

"Yeah, I think so. We just want to keep winning," Kwak-Hefferan said.

They must first get past the Tigers in the game of the year in Ivy League volleyball.

It's also the final home appearance for the seniors, but you'll have to excuse them for not focusing on that part of it. They've been too busy winning.

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