Block, a
6 foot middle hitter from Williams, Minn.,
is ranked seventh in kills per game according
to NJCAA and was named first Team All-Southern
Division, first Team All-MCCC, and was
named to the MCCC State Tournament Team.
She cites both the team and Rongere for
the team’s success.
“We’ve worked hard all year
for this,” Blocks says. “We
had to overcome a lot of adversity this
season with early season injuries and not
having an experienced setter, but Coach
Rongere was really there for us and instilled
in our minds that we should never lose
focus of our goals.”
Curless, a 5 foot 8 inch outside hitter
from Andover, Minn., is ranked 13th in
kills per game according to the NJCAA and
was named first Team All-Southern Division
and was named to the MCCC State Tournament
Team. She extends much of the credit to
Rongere too. “He’s been the
best coach I’ve ever had. He taught
us how to play at a higher level.”
Under Rongere’s leadership, the
Rams began their dig toward success in
August of 2005 with zero returning players
and hope that they could fill a team. With
only seven players, the Rams pulled out
their best season in over five years with
a 6-10 record. Prior to that, the Rams
were last at State in 1990, when they took
fifth place.
Both the 2005 and 2006 winning seasons
were led by Block and Curless along with
other sophomores including Stephanie O’Rourke,
Brendean Stacklie, Casey Liptak and Alyssa
Singer. Now, with five players graduating
in spring 2007 and only three returning
players, Rongere has the task of recruiting
more talent to keep the team’s winning
streak going.
“The goal is to have between 12
- 15 young women on the team next season,” Rongere
says. “I’m looking for women
that really want to play volleyball simply
because they love the sport and want to
help us continue our winning tradition.”
Women interested in the ARCC Women’s
Volleyball, can call 763-433-1109 or fill
out a prospective athlete questionnaire.
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