A Trio Of Success

Sept. 6, 2001

By Kimberly Ling,
Assistant Sports Information Director

They may not be superstars. Their names may not grace the lists of All-Americans or don the front pages of a newspaper. But, this senior trio is as important to a volleyball team at Ole Miss as any players in the past. Whether it's on or off the court, they have succeeded, and now they are set to take it one step further in their final run in 2001.

While the Lady Rebels will try to mix a veteran corps with a talented group of newcomers to make a strong run this year, they will more than likely depend on the experience of four-year seniors Jaime Burns, Abby Hollander and Leigh Rittiner.

"Experience is one of our strengths this year," Blair said. "Jaime, Abby and Leigh have spent quality time on the court and have traveled the Southeastern Conference. Anybody who is aware of our league realizes that being able to survive on the road is very difficult."

One of the seniors that Blair will count on to lead the Lady Rebels through the always-tough SEC is Burns, a native of Englewood, Colo. Burns will be the leader of the team's outside hitters, and Blair is expecting a lot from her.

"We are looking for Jaime to step up and be a very stable force," said Blair, whose squad will host the Magnolia Invitational at the Gillom Sports Center Sept. 7-8. "Jaime's a very capable player. She can do a lot of things on the floor and she does them all well."

Burns has played well throughout her Ole Miss career, entering the 2001 campaign with 911 kills and 690 digs and setting her sights on the 1,000/1,000 club (kills/digs). A versatile performer, Burns will provide strong leadership at a critical position in the lineup, and help the Lady Rebels to a higher finish in the SEC standings.

"As a team, I would like to see us earn a higher seed in the SEC Tournament," Burns said. "We usually are near the bottom in the standings and barely make the tournament, but this year we want to clinch a spot early in the conference season.

"A personal goal of mine this year is to join the 1,000/1,000 club in Lady Rebel history, and that would be the ultimate accomplishment for me."

The quiet one of the trio is Rittiner but, according to Blair, don't underestimate her competitive nature.

"She is our quiet leader, and there is a lot of desire on her part to have this team be successful," Blair said. "Leigh understands more what her role is and how important she can be to this team for the team to be successful.

A New Orleans, La., native, Rittiner is ready to step up and lead the team at the right-side hitting position. She has improved each year, netting 225 kills, 77 digs and 109 blocks as a junior last season. Although she is not vocal, Rittiner's leadership can be felt on the court.

"Personally, I want my teammates to be able to depend on me for leadership and to know that I have a great desire for this team to be successful," said Rittiner. "I am excited about this season. We want to improve our standing in the league and do better in the SEC Tournament."

The Lady Rebels' strength seems to be in the middle, which will be anchored by Hollander. Blair said that Hollander will lead a position where his squad has experience and depth.

"Abby leads an experienced group of middle blockers," said Blair. "We are excited to have all three of our middles back from a year ago, and Abby will lead the way."

Last year, she was tied for second on the team in total blocks with 109. Hollander, who spent time this summer in Europe, is excited about the upcoming season and the Lady Rebels' chances to improve.

"I would like for us to earn respect within the volleyball circles, especially in the SEC as well as here on campus, and have people say, 'Wow, that's a pretty good team and they're exciting to watch,'" Hollander said.

These seniors have had outstanding careers on the court, but they are the epitome of the true student-athlete. Burns has been a regular on the Dean's and Chancellor's Honor Rolls and has earned SEC Academic Honor Roll accolades twice. Hollander has been named to the University honor roll and the SEC Academic Honor Roll. She also is an active member of the National Collegiate Scholar Association. Rittiner, also a member of the National Collegiate Scholar Association, has been on either the Dean's or Chancellor's Honor Roll every semester of her career and is a two-time SEC Academic honoree.

This trio has achieved a lot on the court and in the classroom, and now they embark on the stretch run of their career. But, after four years of practices and matches, these seniors just want to be remembered as a group who made a difference in the Lady Rebel program.

"When I leave, I want people to know that I worked hard and gave it everything I had every time I stepped on the court," Rittiner said.

Burns added, "I want to be remembered as a player who brought everything to the court."

Hollander agreed, "I would like to be known as someone who always tried and did the best that I could under every circumstance. I want to leave something for future players to live up to."

The strength of the 2001 Lady Rebels will be their experience. With Burns, Hollander and Rittiner leading the way, the Lady Rebels hope that experience will carry them further up the SEC ladder.

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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