9/21/06

Wolpern Leads Resurgent Volleyball Team

Senior outside hitter lets it go on the court and 'kills' opponents

by Emily Buss
Issue date: 9/21/06
Section: Womens Sports

Every kill you get earns you another point. Every time you pound it to the floor gives you glory. Sounds like something illegal, doesn't it? Actually, this is the daily life of Minnesota State volleyball senior outside hitter Cassie Wolpern. Her role on the team is to kill and knock down any and every ball that is set to her.

The accounting major spends a lot of her time focusing on her goals and aspirations in life outside of volleyball, as well. But when she's not doing homework or focusing on her studies, volleyball is her true passion.

"Volleyball is my three hours of each day to let everything else go and compete," Wolpern said. "It's my favorite thing to do."

Wolpern has been playing volleyball for years and not only has it become routine for her to make kills, but also her duty to her team.

"Any collegiate sport brings personal challenges and new experiences," Wolpern said. "With that, I like to believe that volleyball has made me most of who I am today."

A Belle Plaine, Minn. native, she began her volleyball career as a freshman at Belle Plaine High School. Wolpern worked especially hard to help her team win and snagged seven school records in the process, including the most kills, blocks, and digs. She also holds five Minnesota State High School League records, including assists with 390, blocks with 99, kills with 688 as well as 80 ace serves in a single season. She also holds the title of most career kills with 2,867.

"In high school, one player can carry you a long way," Wolpern said.

After a successful four years playing for BPHS, Wolpern moved west - way west - to play at the University of San Diego. Not only did this team have more experience and more recognition, they also played many top-rated schools and traveled more.

"San Diego was a Division I program and therefore was a bit more mentally draining," Wolpern said. "We were flying weekly."

Wolpern only played a short while with the Pioneers and eventually transferred to MSU, near her roots.

"I don't regret either decision; going to San Diego in the first place or transferring back to MSU," Wolpern said. "Both experiences taught me a lot about myself as well as others. MSU simply feels like home."

No one is more thankful that Wolpern transferred home than Mavericks' head coach Dennis Amundson. Two years ago, Wolpern was named All-North Central Conference honorable mention and led the team in kills with 361.

"Cassie just really figured out how to be a competitor," Amundson said. "Ever since the last game of last year against Nebraska-Omaha, she has just really learned how to stay focused and become a real fighter.

"She is a huge asset to this team and she is the one that really keeps us focused, loose, and swinging."

Last season, Wolpern was able to top each stat from the previous year. She played in 108 games in 2005, led the Mavs with 455 digs, and set a new career-high with 25 digs against South Dakota.

This season, with her team's record at 11-4, she wants nothing more than to see the Mavericks excel.

"My goal this year is to be consistent as a player and leader in this program," Wolpern said. "As seniors, we play every game to have no regrets when it's all over. If I give it everything I got every night and make fun a priority, I believe the rest will take care of itself."