K-State looking for next Lastra

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Aug 24, 2008 by Jeffrey Rake

By Jeffrey Rake

THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

MANHATTAN -- Suzie Fritz is confident the libero position is still in good hands, even after Kansas State's all-time leader in digs, Angie Lastra, graduated in the spring.

"(But) I don't sleep as well at night," said Fritz, entering her eighth season as K-State's volleyball coach.

For four years, Lastra was a model of consistency for the Wildcats, finding ways to get to difficult balls and diving fearlessly across the court. By all accounts, she was K-State's emotional leader.

Fritz knows it won't be easy to replace her production, which included a team-high 575 digs. Still, Fritz likes what she has seen from sophomore Lauren Mathewson, the likely candidate to fill Lastra's spot in the starting lineup.

"I think she's doing exceptionally well," Fritz said. "I think she can be one of the best liberos in the league, just as Angie Lastra was. But I don't know what she can do. She's never had the opportunity to do it."

Mathewson played in every match for K-State in 2007, totaling 196 digs and 43 assists. Eighteen of her digs came in the NCAA Tournament against Tulsa and Oregon, providing proof that she is able to hold up under pressure.

Now it is up to her to try and live up to the lofty standards set by Lastra. It will be difficult, she said, but it is a challenge that she quietly is embracing. She knows her teammates are expecting strong play at the libero position.

"I'm glad they have that expectation for me," Mathewson said. "I think that I am looking forward to that. I want them to hold me accountable and for me to get better from that."

Kelsey Chipman, middle blocker and a Topeka native, isn't concerned about a drop-off in play. In fact, she thinks Mathewson can perform at the exact same level as Lastra did.

"I'm not worried about her at all," Chipman said. "She's a great player. She's the next Angie. She's very talented, a hard worker. She's everything you could want in a teammate."

Early season challenge

K-State will open its season Friday against Tennessee State, as part of the two-day Purdue University Tournament in West Lafayette, Ind. The Wildcats also will play Duke and Purdue.

All four teams were participants in 2007-08 season's NCAA Tournament, meaning K-State will have its hands full right away. Fritz said being tested early is part of the team's scheduling strategy.

"We feel like if you want to be prepared for the Big 12 you have to go play somebody before you get there," Fritz said.

Still the same

Though expectations from coaches and media are considerably higher than a year ago, Fritz said her team, who was picked to finish third in the Big 12 and is ranked No. 14 in the country, still has the same goals it does every year.

Nothing more, nothing less.

"I don't care about anybody else's expectations except our own," Fritz said. "(We) always want to win as many matches as we can, and put ourselves in position to contend for Big 12 Championships."