Ohio Volleyball
Renowned freshmen adjust to college
By Katherine Bercik, Copy Editor
September 20, 2007 | 8:25 p.m.
At first glance one might think the four freshmen on the Ohio University volleyball squad have been best friends since grade school; but, on the contrary, only one of them is actually from the state of Ohio.
Joining the No. 19 Bobcats in the program's attempt at a fifth straight Mid-American Conference title are outside hitters Sue Jacobi and Melissa Szkutnik, setter Michelle Jantsch and defensive specialist Meryl Bender. These young women make up a recruiting class that was ranked 16th in the nation according to prepvolleyball.com.
With this fact in mind, it is obvious these women know how to play, but who are they outside of volleyball?
Live together, study together, practice together
The team's strong bond is apparent between the upperclassmen and the underclassmen but is especially among the four freshmen. Jantsch and Bender are roommates, and Jacobi and Szkutnik are roommates.
When asked if they thought this restricted them from meeting anyone outside of volleyball, they all said it was not a problem.
"Because we are athletes we get to meet other athletes," Szkutnik said, adding that it helps that Jacobi is very social.
Apart from practicing together, playing together and even living together, the women also take a class together - one that is designed to help incoming athletes adjust to college life - and attend study sessions at least eight hours per week.
"I don't think anyone's really gotten sick of one another yet," Szkutnik said. "They all (referring to her freshmen teammates) work really hard in everything they do, at practice and in school."
Not only are they hard-working but they help one another with adjusting to college life.
Jantsch said she tries to get along with everyone because they are all new, but everyone is getting along great.
Jantsch is the funny one and ca always put her in a good mood, Bender said.
Bender said it helped Szkutnik is very relaxed, both on and off the court. She also said Jacobi is very caring - "a big sweetheart" - and that Jacobi and herself were both homesick at first; so they helped each other overcome that homesickness.
Jacobi described Bender as a: "very happy, energetic person. She's really fun to be around, we have a lot in common."
"We all get along really well," Szkutnik said. "You can tell Geoff (Carlston) recruits based on personality and not just on performance on the court, which is really good."
The big sweetheart
The outside hitter from Louisville, Ky., began playing volleyball while in the third grade. her mother was the coach of her team and a former player. Her two older sisters also played volleyball.
Although she shares a love for volleyball with her mother and sisters, she plans to separate herself by going into business. Her mother and sisters all work in the medical field as X-ray technicians.
This does not come from any rebellious desire to be different, Jacobi said, admitting that she actually did consider working in the medical field before deciding upon a career in business.
She made the choice because: "I like to work with people," Jacobi said.
Before becoming a Bobcat, Jacobi attended an all-girls Catholic school called Presentation Academy. There she was a student ambassador, going around to other schools to recruit students.
As recruits heard of Presentation Academy through her efforts, she heard about Ohio's volleyball program through coach Geoff Carlston and assistant coaches Nadia Edwards and Don Gromala.
Although she had an offer to play at Morehead State University in Kentucky, Jacobi decided to come to Ohio, saying that the girls and the coaches are what drew her here.
"I just really felt at home when I came here," she said.
Calm, cool and collected
The Perrysburg, Ohio, native is one of many from her family to attend OU as her grandmother, mother and sister Jen, 26, were all Bobcats. Szkutnik's volleyball career began while she was in the seventh grade.
She did not really know much about volleyball and did not get involved in the club volleyball scene until after another mother introduced her to it. While in high school, her volleyball experience extended to helping coach a club team called the Fireballs.
Although she began her volleyball career later than her freshmen teammates, that did not stop her from receiving offers to play volleyball at Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, Pennsylvania State and Florida State.
Similar to Jacobi, Szkutnik said the women on the team and the coaching staff were the reasons she came to Athens.
About her experience at OU so far, Szkutnik said: "I like (OU) a lot. Everyone here is really friendly and welcoming.
The energetic freshman
Similar to Jacobi, Bender started playing club volleyball when she was very young, in the second grade. What encouraged her to begin playing was the fact that her older sister Lauren also played.
Bender's dedication to the sport continued through middle and high school. While at Yorktown High School in Yorktown, Ind., Bender also ran track to "keep [her] in shape for volleyball." She ran the 100-meter dash, 400-meter dash, the 4x100 relay and the 4x400 relay, earning a letter.
In the summer going into her senior year, Carlston offered her a scholarship via the phone. Bender said she did not allow herself to scream with excitement when she first heard this offer because she did not want to damage the impression she had made on Carlston.
"I didn't want him to not want me anymore," Bender said; she wanted to appear cool and collected. However, she said the moment she hung up the phone she screamed and celebrated.
"My parents were very thrilled, very proud (of the news)," Bender said.
Bender added that when she met Carlston again, he told her that she was the only player who had not screamed right away and was not sure whether she was enthusiastic about playing for OU. By simply talking to Bender, one can tell that is certainly not the case.
The funny freshman
Jantsch has traveled the farthest to come to Athens, Ohio, traveling from Mission Hills, Kan. Although she has traveled a long way the distance from home does not seem to faze her.
"I love it here," Jantsch said. "I love the small-town environment."
Before coming to OU Jantsch attended St. Teresa Academy where she was the secretary of a school organization called Spirit Club. The club's purpose was to get students involved and interested in the school sports program.
Her involvement with athletics also included soccer and basketball, but Jantsch said she chose volleyball because her friends were on the team.
At the college level, this was also the case. Jantsch said she received offers to play at "a lot of different schools," including Kansas, Kansas State and Missouri, but Jantsch said she was drawn to OU because of the staff and the other players and their personalities.
"The whole team could hang out," Jantsch said, describing the team's unity.