STEVENS POINT – The UW-Stevens Point Women's Volleyball team accomplished a great deal in 2009 despite having one senior on the roster. The Pointers finished with 13-22 overall record, 3-5 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC). The Pointers increased their win total one game this season after finishing 12-23 last season. Perhaps the biggest improvement came in conference matchups, as the Pointers three wins this season show improvement from their 1-7 record in 2008.

UWSP had three different win streaks this season, including their season long of three between Sept. 25-26. The streak included victories over Coe College (3-1), Knox College (3-0), and Faith Baptist (3-1). The streak secured a first place finish for the Pointers at the Coe College Kohawk Invite in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Senior Pam Nora (Forest Lake, Minn./) was named tournament MVP and Morgan Bartkowiak (Slinger, WI/Slinger) was named to the All-Tournament team.

UWSP's lone senior, middle hitter/outside hitter, Pam Nora (Forest Lake, Minn.) (116 games) led the Pointers in several categories. Nora recorded a team-high 810 total attacks and recorded 36 service aces. She recorded 38 total blocks, including seven solo. Nora's 236 digs ranked third on UWSP. She earned Honorable Mention All-WIAC and the All-WIAC Sportsmanship team.

Freshman Christina Brinkman (Bristol) (109 games) played a key role in the Pointers success this year. Brinkman recorded a team-high 254 kills and recorded 29 service aces. Her 298 digs ranked second on the UWSP team and she recorded 31blocks, one solo, from her outside hitter/middle hitter position.

Sophomore Michaela Rheineck (St. Paul, MN) (113 games) was a dominating defensive presence for the Pointers. Rhieneck gave opposing attackers fits with her 68 blocks, including 13 solo. Both those numbers were team-highs. Rhieneck's 226 kills ranked third on the Pointers and she recorded 24 service aces.

UWSP's lone junior, right side/setter, Kaitlin Wolfe (Roscoe, IL) (115 games) was a main reason the Pointer attackers had great kill attempts. Wolfe was second on the Pointers with 339 set assists. She recorded 154 kills and 17 service aces. Wolfe recorded 30 blocks and 135 digs on defense.

Freshman Morgan Bartkowiak (Slinger) (74 games) was a major defensive presence for the Pointers. She recorded 47 blocks, 10 solo blocks, and 52 digs. Bartkowiak had 24 service aces and 97 kills.

Sophomore Lizzy Taylor (Eau Claire/Memorial) (118 games), Libero/Defensive Specialist, led the Pointers in games played and digs. She recorded 424 digs and three service aces.

Sophomore setter Chantel York (Lake Geneva) (112 games) led the Pointers with 479 set assists. She was second on the Pointers with 30 service aces and recorded 141 digs.

Freshman outside hitter Kati Rau (Dorchester) (90 games) had a great first year for UWSP. She recorded 67 kills, 12 service aces, 160 digs, and eight blocks.

First year freshmen Erica Cota (Oshkosh) (78 games), Lauren Krum (Muskego) (69 games), and Bonnie Segl (Woodbury, MN) (49 games) contributed a great deal the Pointers this season. The trio recorded 127 kills, 232 sets, eight service aces, and 103 digs.

Pointer sophomores Kristi Larson (Plymouth, MN) (22 games), Lindsey Janikowski (Neenah) (13 games), Brittany Melby (Montfort) (30 games) and freshmen Kirsten Algiers (New London) (7 games) and Cassidy Kohlhagen (Racine) provided spark off the bench for UWSP. They combined for 36 kills, 25 set assists, seven service aces, 51 digs, and four blocks.

The Pointers finished the season sixth in the WIAC, setting them up with UW-Platteville for a first round playoff match. The Pointers fell 3-1 in Platteville, but the Pointers accomplished a great deal with such a young group of players. The team made the playoffs despite having only two upperclassmen.

The future looks very bright for the Pointers, as they look to return 15 players to next year's team.