As the 2010 volleyball season looms closer, there lies little doubt as to who the leaders of this Kansas State team will be.
With just a quick glimpse at the roster, one will most likely notice the immense amount of youth.
Nine freshmen are scattered throughout the young Wildcat team — one that already went through growing pains last season — while KSU enters the fall with just two upperclassmen.
But take a closer look and one will gradually begin see there is a greater amount of experience than the 2009 squad.
Eventually it becomes easy to see there is no doubt KSU coach Suzie Fritz is building up her program with young, raw talent inside Ahearn Field House, but one term the 10th-year coach isn't too fond of is youth.
"We aren't talking about being young," Fritz said Saturday. "We can't afford to talk about being young. We're young. It is what it is."
That young talent is not only centered around the large freshmen class, but a crop of talented sophomores highlighted by returners Caitlyn Donahue, Kathleen Ludwig and Alex Muff — each of whom gained an significant playing time and experience 8last year — something Fritz said has been extremely important to the program.
"I think the fact that Alex Muff played as a freshman and the fact that Caitlyn Donahue played as a freshman and the fact that Ludwig played — all of those kids got Big 12 experience, and come back with another year of experience, Fritz said."
However, as the Wildcats prepare for their first match on Aug 27 against UCLA, the leadership roles of the two lone seniors — Lauren Mathewson and JuliAnne Chisholm — are clearly defined within the K-State program.
All indications are that the two are ready for it, too.
If the 2009 season was any sign, Fritz could hardly ask for a better pair for fill the role this year. Heading into fall camp, Fritz said she was pleasantly surprised with the amount of progress her younger players had made, and said it was a testament to the leadership of her two seniors.
"They(Mathewson and Chisholm) have done a tremendous job," she said. "I think where I have really noticed it is they were really responsible for what happened over the summer...
"Those two seniors were responsible for how often we got together, how productive we were and they were playing three or four days a week over the course of the summer and actually getting better and I think that is difficult to do."
It's a role they said they feel comfortable taking on together.
"It's kind of exciting," Mathewson said. "I like being able to teach them what I have learned in my four years here and I like being able to show them how hard you have to work and how much fight it takes it takes to be one of the best in the country."
Mathewson, a 5-foot-6 libero from Kansas City, clearly understands what it takes to be one of the premier players in the country. She has developed into the anchor of the K-State back row throughout her career, racking up 514 digs last season to move into the fourth most for a career at K-State.
Not only is their close relationship easy to see on the court, the two are close friends outside of Ahearn Field House as well. The two seniors are roommates this year, and their bond has rubbed off on their teammates too.
"It's great leadership," Donahue said. "JuliAnne is super passionate and just loves the game and brings intensity to the gym everyday and expects a lot out of our freshmen and herself. Mathewson kind of drives our team, she is very demanding, but at the same time wants everybody to get better and is a great supporter out there."
While Mathewson will be anchoring the back row, Chisholm will handle the offense. After a breakout junior season in which she led the team with 342 kills, the 5-11 outside hitter from Hillsboro is eager for the chance to remain a steady leader alongside Mathewson on the court.
"The more we pass together and the more we play together, the tighter that bond becomes," said Chisholm, who is also on the KSU women's basketball roster, eligible to play for the Cats in the spring semester after the completion of volleyball. "So last year when I started passing with her and having a larger role on the team, we definitely grew together more."
Mathewson and Chisholm will lead the Wildcats on the road to open the season on Friday, as they travel to Honolulu to participate in the Chevron Rainbow Wahine Invitational. The Cats first match is against UCLA on Friday, followed by a match against Hawaii on Saturday and a contest against San Diego on Sunday.
-Photo Nathaniel LaRue The Manhattan Mercury
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