Amber Rolfzen Looks for Continued Improvement

[Mavric]

 

Rolfzen’s season can’t be measured in hitting stats alone. Defensively she helped slow down some of the best players in the Big Ten Conference. Her 102 blocks ranked third on the team and her 206 digs were fifth.

Last year Rolfzen beat out returning starter Morgan Broekhuis at the right-side hitter position. Rolfzen helped the team with her all-around play, coach John Cook said following the first practice of the season Saturday morning.

“The big thing for (Amber) is the position she’s playing — we've always had a great right-side player that can score points,” he said. “You score points with blocking and defense. What separates her from Sarah Pavan, from Morgan, Lindsey Licht, is that Amber is also a passer; plays defense. She’s a true six-rotation player. One of the reasons (Kadie Rolfzen) and Kelsey Robinson were so successful last year is because we can pull Amber into passing. She takes a load off those outside hitters. If you've got three passers and a libero out there and your right side can pass, it really helps take the heat off those guys.

“Amber has to score points, blocking and hitting. The other thing is she’s got to want the ball on big points. She’s got to be a big point scorer and thrive in that role.”

 

LJS