Paige White is taking a walk across a parking lot. Lacy McFarland is going from being a Blackbird to a Redbird. Both are joining the 2001 Illinois State University volleyball team.
White, a 5-foot-8 outside hitter, went to high school on the Illinois State campus and was a regular on University High School's back-to-back Illinois High School Association Class A State Championship teams.
McFarland, a 5-foot-7 setter from Taylorville, is transferring closer to home after two years as the starting setter on the Long Island University Blackbirds. While at Long Island, McFarland set the school record for single-season set assists with 918 as a freshman. She was a National Honor Society member at Taylorville High School, where she played volleyball and basketball. McFarland played club volleyball for Prime Time, and one of her teammates is current Redbird Christy Beyers.
White joins former prep and club teammate and classmate Wendi Roesch on the Redbirds. The duo were part of U-High teams which were 78-6 while winning 1999 and 2000 IHSA titles. The Bloomington native was part of Illinois Juniors club volleyball teams which played in the Junior Olympic National Tournament in 1998, 1999 and 2000. White and Roesch join three other intercity graduates--Abby Lewis (Normal West), Jenny Kabbes (Bloomington Central Catholic) and Erin Jones (Normal Community)--on the Redbird volleyball team.
Redbird coach Sharon Dingman is excited about adding both players.
"We feel Paige and Lacy will help what we're trying to do with our program," said Dingman. "I think it speaks highly of our program that we can attract quality players to come without scholarships. But, most of all, it speaks highly of those individuals and their commitment to choose Illinois State and be part of a winning program."
McFarland and White give Dingman five new players on the 2001 Redbirds, including middle blocker Amber Rogers from Muskegon, Mich., setter Kelly Rikli from Highlands Ranch, Colo. and the aforementioned Roesch. All but McFarland, who will be eligible to play as a junior in 2001, will be freshmen.
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NOTE: See bio and quotes below for full information about Illinois State volleyball recruits.
PAIGE WHITE, 5-8, Outside Hitter
Bloomington, Ill.
University High School
Club Volleyball: Illinois Juniors
WHITE NOTES: Played middle blocker on for University High School teams which went 153-18 and won back-to-back state championships in 1999 and 2000 all-tournament team at 2000 Kessler's Tourney in Effingham, which features some of the nation's top prep teams ... daughter of Gregory and Linda Faye White, with sister Jennifer ... prep coach was Char Lehnen, an ISU alum and former ISU assistant ... played on three straight national-qualifying club teams including 2000 Illinois Juniors Club team finished 13th at Junior Olympic Nationals ... club coach was Tony Gliwa, who was the prep coach for White's teammate, Jenny Kabbes ... honor roll student in high school ... Paige Amethyst White, born Oct. 18, 1982 ... majoring in marketing.
COACH SHARON DINGMAN ON PAIGE WHITE:
"Paige has competed at high levels both in high school and club volleyball. She has a great, great work ethic which raises our team's work ethic. Her personality makes her a great fit for our program. We knew she would have other options, but we convinced her we wanted her to be part of our team, and Illinois State was her first choice of schools. We're excited and, frankly, feel lucky to have Paige in our program."
QUOTES FROM PAIGE WHITE:
"When I was a little girl, I watched volleyball at Redbird Arena and I was amazed at how big, and how good, the players were. It made me want to be down there (on the court), so, even though I know I will have to work extremely hard, I am excited about having the opportunity to be part of Redbird volleyball. Illinois State has an awesome marketing department. That, plus the volleyball, made it the right choice for me."
LACY McFARLAND, 5-7, Setter/DS
Taylorville, Ill.
Taylorville High School
Transfer from Long Island University
Club Volleyball: Prime Time
McFARLAND NOTES: Transferred to Illinois State after sophomore year at Long Island ... 2000 all-Northeast Conference Academic at LIU ... led Long Island in set assists in 1999 and 2000 ... set an LIU season record with 915 set assists in 1999 in two years at LIU, with 1,733 total assists, 432 digs and 82 total blocks ... played club volleyball with Redbird teammate Christy Beyers ... all-conference high school player at Taylorville ... led team in set assists and digs ... three-year high school starter, she missed her junior volleyball season in high school because of an injury ... played on 1997 and 1998 Taylorville basketball teams which won 61 of 64 games ... graduated from high school with high honors ... National Honor Society ... daughter of David and Denise McFarland, with brother Lance and sisters Jourdin and Jade ... Lacy Dawn McFarland, born March 1, 1981 ... majoring in biology and plans to be an orthodontist.
COACH SHARON DINGMAN ON LACY McFARLAND:
"Anytime you can bring someone into your program with two years of Division I starting experience, it's a plus. Lacy's arrival will create good competition and help (freshman setter) Kelly (Rikli) grow in her position. We also expect Lacy to contribute as a defensive player. We think she will add some strength in an area (defense) where we think we can improve."
QUOTES FROM LACY McFARLAND:
"Coming to Illinois State will allow me to be around players and coaches who have their priorities straight. When I met with Sharon Dingman, I could tell she really cares about the players as people. I'm looking forward to my family being able to see me play. Illinois State is a winning environment and Redbird Arena is a great place to play, but, no matter what my role is on the team, I look forward to being part of a program which is about the right things."
AMBER ROGERS, 6-1, Middle Blocker Muskegon, Mich.
Mona Shores High School
Club Volleyball: Inside Out
ROGERS NOTES: Third team all-state selection in 2000 ... three-time all-region, two-time all-conference selection ... average 3.3 kills and 1.8 blocks per game as a senior ... captained high school team to 39-18-1 record as a senior, with 45-14-2 mark as a junior ... high school coach was Kyle Kurant ... club coaches were Amy Delong and Shawn Subdon ... National Honor Society member ... daughter of Richard and Denise Rogers, with brothers Eric and Hunter ... Amber Denise Rogers, born Dec. 9, 1982 in Mobile, Ala. ... majoring in education.
COACH SHARON DINGMAN ON AMBER ROGERS:
"Amber is a middle blocker with very good blocking skills and the potential to have very good offensive skills. Her blocking is ahead of her offensive game right now, however, with her athleticism and desire to improve, we anticipate that gap closing. She has good lateral speed and along reach. Amber is young to the game, so her potential is exciting to consider."
QUOTES FROM AMBER ROGERS:
"Illinois State was the best choice for me. The team and coaches were impressive and I loved the Redbird Arena atmosphere. The community support and the fact that volleyball is a high priority sport at Illinois State makes a big difference. I will work hard to get my game quicker and up to speed. The coaches have a great style."
WENDI ROESCH, 5-4, Defensive Specialist
Bloomington, Ill.
University High School
Club Volleyball: Illinois Juniors
ROGERS NOTES: Second team all-area selection by the Pantagraph in 20001; honorable mention in 1999 ... two-time first team all-Corn Belt Conference ... four-year back-row starter for University High School teams which went 153-18 and won back-to-back state championships in 1999 and 2000 ... led U-High in service aces with 36 in 2000 ... played in IHSA State Finals at Redbird Arena all four years in high school ... teams finished fourth in 1998 and reached elite eight in 1997 ... daughter of Dennis and Tina Roesch, both Illinois State alums, with sister Heidi ... prep coach was Char Lehnen, an ISU alum and former ISU assistant ... Illinois Juniors Club team finished 13th at Junior Olympic Nationals in 2000 ... club coach was Tony Gliwa, who was the prep coach for Roesch's teammate, Jenny Kabbes ... honor roll student in high school ... Wendi Marie Roesch, born May 5, 1983 ... last name pronounced RUSH ... majoring in criminal justice and plans to become an FBI agent.
COACH SHARON DINGMAN ON WENDI ROESCH:
"Wendi will bring a defensive attitude to our program which will raise our team's level of play. She understands the role of a defensive specialist and embraces the challenges of playing that position. She comes from a great high school program and is a proven winner. Because of her experience of playing at very high levels, and because of the coaching she has received, she will adapt very easily to the college game."
QUOTES FROM WENDI ROESCH:
"I like the way the team plays. Illinois State has great coaches and a great criminal justice program, so the academics and volleyball situations both worked our for me. Plus, my parents will be able to come to my games. I think it's great that so many people want to stay in Bloomington-Normal and play at Illinois State. Coming from a winning high school tradition, I want to help Illinois State continue its tradition."
KELLY RIKLI, 5-10, Setter
Highlands Ranch, Colo.
Highlands Ranch High School
Club Volleyball: Front Range
RIKLI NOTES: Two-time all-state selection played in coaches association all-star game after senior season ... led her prep team to district and regional championships as a junior ... went to Junior Olympic Nationals with her club teams four straight years ... led her team in block solos, digs and set assists as a senior ... three-year letterwinner at Highlands Ranch ... high school coaches were Deb Plummer and Lou Kraus ... daughter of Tom Rikli, Sue and Tom Heller, with sisters Karli Rikli Gasowski and Jill Rikli, brothers T.J. Rikli, Ben Rikli, John Heller and Scott Heller ... her father played football at Nebraska and her sister Karli played basketball at Northern Arizona ... Kelly Jo Rikli, born May 18, 1983 in Ord, Neb. ... plans to major in Elementary Education and hopes to become a coach ... name pronounced RICK-lee.
COACH SHARON DINGMAN ON KELLY RIKLI:
"Kelly is a very good athlete with great quickness. The quality that most attracted me to Kelly was how much she loves to play and train. She is like Becky Weber in that she is a 'gym rat.' She comes from the oldest and strongest club program in Colorado, so she will bring a wealth of experience to our program. As a setter, Kelly already possesses the leadership capabilities essential to that position."
QUOTES FROM KELLY RIKLI:
"I really enjoyed my visit to Illinois State. It was my first college visit and I just loved it. Redbird Arena was a terrific place. I loved the crowd. I like the coaches. They let you figure things out on your own. I as born in Nebraska, and Illinois State reminded me a lot of how people are in Nebraska. The community is great and everybody is so supportive of volleyball."
