Written by Sports Information Summer Intern Jeff Hoedt
BEREA, OHIO--Baldwin-Wallace College junior Cassie Palmer, a native of Greenwich and a graduate of South Central High School, returns this fall as one of the best middle hitters in NCAA Division III. In fact, after just two seasons in Berea, Palmer is already being regarded as one of the school's best-ever. In addition, with Palmer as its key player, B-W has enjoyed some of the best volleyball success in school history.
For the past two years, Palmer, a six-footer, has progressed from being the Ohio Athletic Conference "Rookie of the Year" and an honorable mention All-OAC choice in 2000 to being a first-team All-OAC player as well as an All-Great Lakes Region selection. This year, Palmer is seeking to become the first-ever Division III All-American in B-W history.
"Cassie Palmer has the talent and ability to be an All-American. She works hard in practice and in games and has a great, great attitide," said veteran Yellow Jacket Head Coach Vicki Brault. "She has the talent to be dominant. Ability-wise, Cassie is reliable and one of my most consistant players. She is also a good leader because she leads by example. She is well-respected by both the coaching staff and her teammates."
Palmer, a business administration major, has already been a key to the success of the Yellow Jacket program. As a freshman in 2000, B-W had a 25-10 overall record and won its first-ever OAC Tournament title and advanced to the NCAA Division III National Tournament. Last year, as a sophomore, Palmer and the Yellow Jackets were 29-6 overall and tied for the school's first-ever OAC regular season crown. The 29-6 mark was also the second-best in school history.
But, despite that success, Palmer wants more.
"Our goal has to be to win the OAC regular season title and the tounament title and return to the NCAA Tournament," said Palmer. "I would like to see the team go to nationals and reach the round of the Elite Eight, I think that this team has a good chance to do it. We only lost one senior starter and we have a strong group of players returning. The key will be to jell as a team. We know that we oplay in one of the most balanced conferences in the nation in Division III. It will be a great challenge for us."
Individually and in addition to her OAC honors, Palmer has impressed coaches on the regional level. As a freshman, Palmer was second on the team with 351 kills. She also finished second on the team in total blocks with 120, including 41 solo blocks. At the 2000 NCAA Division III National Tournament in the Great Lakes Regional, Palmer was named to the region All-Tournament team.
Last year, Palmer received American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-Great Lakes Region accolades and she continued to be an impact player. She led the team in kills with 425. Her 425 kills ranks fourth all-time in school history. She also recorded a .324 hitting percentage with 164 total blocks, including 52 solo blocks. Her 52 solo blocks ranks sixth all-time in a season. After two years, Palmer's 92 career solo blocks ranks sixth all-time. Not only were her 2001 statistical numbers some of the best on the team and in school history, they were some of the best in the OAC. Palmer was ranked second in the OAC in blocks per game (1.41), third in hitting percentage and eighth in kills per game (3.66).
So, what are Palmer's individual goals for 2002?
"I would like to be an All-American," said Palmer. "I know to be an All-American that both the team and I will have to do very well. My first priority is to the team. But I also know that I can have a large role in our success. I also know that I play volleyball with a very talented group of teammates. They also make me look good."
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