2000 Player Bios
Returnees
Shannon Wells #1
5'8"...Senior...Outside Hitter
MAJOR: Mathematics
2001: Selected first-team All-GLVC for second consecutive season...named second-team Daktronics All-Great Lakes Region team for second straight
season...selected as the GLVC Scholar Athlete of the Year for volleyball...named Academic All-GLVC...USI's all-time leader with 194 career
service aces...fastest player in USI history to reach 1,000 career kills and
ranks second all-time at USI with 1,313 career kills...needs 166 kills to
become school's all-time leader...ranks fifth all-time at
USI with 895 career digs...led GLVC with 89 service aces (0.77 per game) and
was second in GLVC with a career-high 4.82 kills per game...also ranked 11th
in the nation in service aces per game and 17th in the country in kills per
game...recorded a
conference-high 554 kills, 23 away from the school record...had a career-high
32 kills, just one away from the school record, and a season-high 18 digs in a
four-game match against Quincy University. 2000: Selected first-team All-GLVC and second-team All-Great
Lakes Region…led conference and set a school record with 93 service aces…her
0.89 service aces per game were second in the nation…finished third in GLVC with a team-high 4.55 kills per game...fifth
in the conference and second on the team with .303 hitting percentage…led
squad and was ninth in conference with 3.28 digs per game...recorded a
season-high 28 kills against SIU Edwardsville and a career-high 27 digs
against Indianapolis. 1999: Became
one of USI's strongest offensive players in the middle of her freshman season…named
Academic All-GLVC…was second on the team with 286 kills and a .248 hitting
percentage…also contributed 12 aces, 245 digs, and 17 blocks…Had a season-high
25 kills against Bellarmine University and Indiana University/Purdue University
Ft. Wayne…also had a season-high 24 digs against nationally ranked Northern
Kentucky University. HIGH SCHOOL: Lettered in volleyball, basketball,
and softball at Merrillville (Indiana) High School...named Most Valuable Player,
first team All-Duneland Conference, and first team All-Area as a senior. PERSONAL:
Born December 8, 1980…daughter of Thomas and Bobbi Wells.
Career Statistics
Year MP/ GP Att Kills
Errors PCT AST SA Digs
BS BA
1999 24/ 79 721 286
107 .248 23 12 245
5 12
2000 31/104 1,101 473
139 .303 8 93
341 15 20
2001 32/115 1,321 554
172 .289 16 89 309
15 32
Tot. 87/298 3,143 1,313 418
.284 47 194 895 35
64
Kim Boehmer #3
5'6"...Junior...Setter
Cincinnati, OH
MAJOR: Nursing
2001: Second player in USI history to be named AVCA All-Region and the
third player in USI history to be named All-Region...selected first-team All-GLVC
after averaging a conference-high 12.46 assists per game...broke her own
school record with 1,271 assists...fastest player in USI history to reach
2,500 career assists...ranks second at USI with 2,507 career assists and needs
162 to become the all-time leader at USI...recorded a season-high 64 assists
against Wheeling Jesuit. 2000: Made an immediate impact in her first season of collegiate volleyball...named
GLVC Freshman of the Year and first-team All-Conference...set school
records for assists in a season and entered top five all-time at USI in career
assists...career-high 70 assists in a five-game match against the University
of Missouri-St. Louis. HIGH SCHOOL: Played volleyball at Roger Bacon
High School in Cincinnati, Ohio...named the Ohio Division II and the
Cincinnati Enquirer's Player of the Year as a senior in 1999...also
named All-City three straight seasons. PERSONAL: Born May 28, 1982...daughter
of Larry and Eileen Boehmer.
Career Statistics
Year MP/ GP Att Kills
Errors PCT AST SA Digs
BS BA
2000 34/104
130 40 16
.185 1,236 12 204 5 21
2001 28/102 152
38 19 .125 1,271
16 197 5 19 Tot. 62/206
282 78 35 .153
2,507 28 401 10 40
Greta
Grinstead #4
5'10"...Senior...Right Side/Setter
Mt. Vernon, Indiana (Mt. Vernon/Northern Kentucky)
MAJOR: Art
2001: Gave Eagles a second setter, something USI lacked in
2000...Averaged 2.43 assists and 1.44 kills per game...recorded a season-high
13 kills and a .591 attacking percentage against Missouri-St. Louis...had a
season-best 16 digs and 55 assists at Missouri-St. Louis. 2000:
Redshirt. TRANSFER: Transferred to USI from Northern Kentucky
University after playing on the Norse's 1998 NCAA Division II Elite Eight
squad and the 1999 NCAA Division II Final Four squad...had 113 kills, 64
assists, 213 digs, and 33 service aces in two seasons at NKU. HIGH SCHOOL:
Graduated from Mt. Vernon (Indiana) High School...Earned All-Big 8 Conference
honors as a junior and senior...was the MVHS Most Valuable Player in the
Wildcats'back-to-back sectional championship...led the team in service aces,
assists, digs, and serving percentage as a senior. PERSONAL:
Born August 24, 1979...daughter of Sam and Barbara Grinstead.
Career Statistics
Year MP/ GP Att Kills
Errors PCT AST SA Digs
BS BA
2001 29/ 97
359 140 54
.240 236 10
59 8 28
Jami Turner #7
5'8"...Senior...Outside Hitter
Muncie, Indiana
MAJOR: Nursing
2001: Saw limited action after off-season knee injury...played in 16
games with 16 digs...named Academic All-GLVC. 2000: Played in every game as a sophomore and was a key player in the
success of the USI volleyball team...finished second on the team and
was 12th in the conference with 3.22 digs per game...posted a career-high
14 kills versus Spalding University and the University of Missouri-St. Louis...had
a career-best 27 digs at Saint Joseph's College. 1999: Saw action
in 23 matches and 74 games mainly as a defensive specialist a server...had
126 digs and 13 aces...had a season-high 13 digs against Spalding University
and three aces against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville...also
had 15 kills and a .109 hitting percentage. HIGH SCHOOL: Earned letters
in volleyball, softball, basketball, and track at Yorktown High School in
Yorktown, Indiana...named All-Conference and the Most Valuable Blocker as
a senior at YHS. PERSONAL: Born May 28, 1981...daughter of Wayne and Niki Turner...Hobby is skiing, both water and snow.
Career Statistics
Year MP/ GP Att Kills
Errors PCT AST SA Digs
BS BA
1999 23/ 74 55
15 9
.109 3 13
126 5 5
2000 31/104 820
252 80 .210
8 18 335 6 23
2001 10/ 16 13
1 0 .077
0 1 16 1 0
Tot. 64/194 888
268 89 .202
11 32 477 12 28
Leeanne Gross #8
5'10"...Sophomore...Middle Blocker
Decatur, Indiana (Adams Central)
MAJOR: Elementary Education
2001: One of the GLVC's best freshman in 2001, ranked 12th in the
GLVC in hitting percentage (.283) and 17th in the league in kills per game
(3.21)...played in all 32 matches and all 117 games for the Eagles as a
freshman...recorded a season-high 20 kills against Northwood University and a
season-high 19 digs against Saint Joseph's College...recorded 10 or more kills
23 times, including the last six matches of the season...named Academic All-GLVC.
HIGH SCHOOL: Lettered in volleyball, basketball, and softball at Adams
Central High School in Monroe, Indiana...named All-State twice and All-Conference
four times in volleyball...set ACHS single-season record with
537 kills (14.9 per match), breaking USI Head Coach Chrissy Smith's record
of 367...also set single-season records with a .387 attack percentage,
82 blocks, and 290 digs·had 1,496 kills and 758 digs in her career
at ACHS...collected four All-Conference awards in basketball and softball...helped
lead the ACHS volleyball team to the 1998, 1999, and 2000 sectional championships
and the 1999 and 2000 conference championships. PERSONAL: Born July
21, 1982...daughter of Thomas and Joan Gross.
Career Statistics
Year MP/ GP Att Kills
Errors PCT AST SA Digs
BS BA
2001 32/117
907 375 118
.283 16 38 290
15 48
Kristine Wheeler #12
5-2...Sophomore...Defensive Specialist/Libero
Indianapolis, Indiana (Roncalli)
MAJOR: Chemistry
2001: Played in 111 games and appeared in all 32 matches for USI as
a freshman...third on the team in service aces (40, .36 sapg)...recorded 209
digs (1.88 dpg)...had a season-high 13 digs on two different occasions. HIGH SCHOOL: Lettered in volleyball at Roncalli High School...named
honorable mention Academic All-State and All-County in 1999 and 2000...ranked
ninth in the state with 43 aces in 1999·helped RHS to the state and
city championship in 1998 and the county championship in 1999 and 2000. PERSONAL:
Born January 4, 1983...daughter of Jim and Brenda Wheeler.
Career Statistics
Year MP/ GP Att Kills Errors
PCT AST SA Digs BS BA
2001
32/111 24
3 4 -.042
11 40 209 0 0
Kristina Kavanaugh #14
5-8...Senior...Outside Hitter/Right Side
Montgomery, Indiana
MAJOR: Elementary Education
2001: Named Verizon Academic All-District for second straight
season...Academic All-GLVC for third consecutive season...had a career-high 19
kills at Lewis University and a season-high 20 digs against Northwood
University...ranked 11th in GLVC with a team-high 2.96 digs...ranked sixth
all-time at USI in career digs and needs 34 to become the eighth player in USI
history to reach 800 digs. 2000: Finished third on the squad with 2.82 digs per game...named
Verizon Academic All-District...Academic All-GLVC for second straight
season...had a season-high 14 kills at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
and a career-high 23 digs against the University of Indianapolis...also had a season-high
six aces against Ashland University. 1999: Named Academic All-GLVC...posted
45 kills, a .115 hitting percentage, eight aces, and 127 digs in 20 matches
and 48 games...had a season-high 18 digs in the season opener against McKendree College and 11 kills against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
HIGH SCHOOL: Collected letters in volleyball, basketball, softball,
and tennis at Barr-Reeve High School in Montgomery, Indiana...named All-Conference
and team Most Valuable Player three straight seasons...also named All-Conference
in softball, tennis, and basketball. PERSONAL: Born October 21,
1981...daughter
of David and Cleta Kavanaugh...Hobbies and interests include movies,
reading, and playing cards.
Career Statistics
Year MP/ GP Att Kills
Errors PCT AST SA Digs
BS BA
1999 20/ 48
183 45 24
.115 26 8
127 4 9
2000 31/104 601
197 66 .218
47 36 293 6 22
2001 32/117 767
283 73 .274
25 44 346 8 28
Tot. 83/269 1,551
525 163 .233
98 88 766 18 59
Newcomers
Laura Ellerbusch #2
6'0"...Freshman...Middle Hitter
Newburgh, Indiana (Castle)
MAJOR: Elementary Education
HIGH SCHOOL: Helped Castle High School to the sectional championships in 1999, 2000, and 2001 as well as the SIAC championship in
2001...eight-time letter winner in volleyball, basketball, and softball at CHS, Ellerbusch...was the 2001 Evansville co-Player of the Year and was the winner of the 2001 Kiwanis Mental Attitude Award...named first-team All-Conference in 2000 and 2001 and was CHS’s most valuable player in 2000...set the school record for kills in a season (248)...All-Conference and All-Metro selection in basketball
in 2002...co-captain of CHS’s women’s basketball team, Ellerbusch was named the team’s most valuable player...helped lead
the CHS women's basketball team to sectional championships in 2000, 2001, and 2002 as well as a regional championship in 2001...member
of the National Honor Society and the Academic Honors Program. PERSONAL: Born January 22, 1984...daughter of David and Patty Ellerbusch.
Natalie Atzinger #6
6'0"...Sophomore...Middle Hitter
Louisville, Kentucky (Holy Cross/East Tennessee State)
MAJOR: Pre-Nursing
TRANSFER: Transferring from NCAA Division I East Tennessee State
University...averaged 2.69 kills per game as a freshman at ETSU...was third on
the team in kills per game and total kills (253)...finished second on the team
in blocks (33)…helped ETSU to a 20-6 overall record, marking the school's best
winning percentage since 1991…recorded a match-high 21 kills in ETSU's
Southern Conference Tournament loss to the University of
Tennessee-Chattanooga. HIGH SCHOOL: Earned three letters for coach Dan
Palmer at Holy Cross High School in Louisville, Kentucky...Atzinger was named
All-State following the 1999-2000 and 2000-01 season...she was named
All-Region after the 1998-99 and 2000-01 seasons...played for the KIVA
club team for coaches Ron Kordes and Dan Palmer...her 2000 KIVA team finished
in the top four at the AAU National Championships...earned eight total letters
in high school, four for volleyball and four for the Holy Cross basketball
team. PERSONAL: Born June 16, 1983...daughter of Dan and Phyllis Atzinger.
Kayla Hoehn #9
5'9"...Freshman...Middle Hitter
Mt. Vernon, Indiana (Mt. Vernon)
MAJOR: Biology
HIGH SCHOOL: A three-sport athlete at Mt. Vernon High School in Mt.
Vernon, Indiana, lettering in volleyball, track, and basketball...led the
volleyball team as the Offensive Player of the Year, most service aces, and
most kills as a senior...helped lead MVHS to a regional championship in track
in 2000. PERSONAL: Born February 1, 1984...daughter of Benny and Katie
Hoehn.
Courtney Nevins #10
5'10"...Freshman...Outside Hitter/Defensive Specialist
Newburgh, Indiana (Castle)
MAJOR: Secondary Education
HIGH SCHOOL: Helped Castle High School to the sectional championships in 1999, 2000, and 2001 as well as the SIAC championship in
2001...two-time All-Conference and All-Metro performer at CHS...Recorded 272 digs and 217 kills in
2001...had 251 digs as a junior in 2000...Academic All-State and is a member of the Spanish Honors Society
as well as the National Honor Society. PERSONAL: Born June 6,
1983...daughter of Howard and Cindy Nevins.
Ashley Riordan #11
5'8"...Junior...Outside Hitter
Mt. Vernon, Indiana (Jennings County)
MAJOR: Communications
TRANSFER: Transferring from Clarion University of Pennsylvania...played in
61 games and recorded 73 kills, 16 service aces, and 111 digs as a freshman in
2000...helped Clarion to a 23-16 overall record in 2001...Recorded 355 kills
(2.73 kpg) and 446 digs (3.43 dpg) during her sophomore campaign...was a
Clarion "Scholar Athlete" and was named the Pennsylvania State Athletic
Conference Player of the Week. HIGH SCHOOL: Graduated from Jennings County
High School in North Vernon, Indiana where she earned All-Area and All-Hoosier
Hills Conference honors...earned the Hustle Award at JCHS as well as letters
in basketball, softball, and volleyball...member of the Circle City 18-1 club team
that was 56-7 and
placed 5th-place at the 2000 USJVA National Tournament. PERSONAL: Born
July 14, 1981...daughter of Steve and Kathy Riordan.
