Gold and Black is a multi-platform media company that covers Purdue athletics like no one else.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/232716
opportunity to train with us this spring. For Christina, I think she was ready to move on to the next challenge. "But for Danielle and Azariah, it can be an advantage as well. They both play for the best club team in the state and will be on the same team. Both situations are good." Junior Val Nichol sees Ambrose and Dimke's decision as a means to speed up the adjustment process that may otherwise have to wait until June or July. "It's great that they are making that decision," Nichol said. "That may have been a really tough choice for them to make, but in the end, I think it will ultimately be beneficial for them. They are going to know how everything works here and we can build some cohesion with them." — Brandan Alford too familiar with, as the fifth-year senior suddenly faced missing the NCAA Tournament for the second time in her five years. "There was a point this season where we had a chance to not make the Tournament," Cramer said. "In my first year, we didn't make the Tournament and that was disappointing, especially at Purdue where every year you are supposed to make the Tournament. During my freshman year, I thought we would get in every year, no matter what. When we missed the Tournament that year, it really hit home. "After the Illinois loss, we got serious. Practices became more serious." Spurred on by their vocal and emotional leader, the Boilermakers righted the ship with a sweep of their own over No. 6 Nebraska. It was just one of several high-profile wins on the season, which included a season sweep of the Huskers as well as tournament wins over No. 4 Missouri and No. 13 Illinois on the road. "We had so many impressive wins along the way," junior Val Nichol said. "We swept Illinois in the Tournament, and that was huge for us. But as Dave said after the match, we just ran out of bullets against Wisconsin." The Boilermakers will graduate a quintet of experienced veterans from this season's team in setter Rachel Davis, defensive specialist Hilary Fox, the libero Cramer and outside hitters Catherine Rebarchak and Katie Griffin. But maybe more important than their on-court contributions, the Boilers will miss the leadership the group brought, especially Cramer. "We wish that we would have went to the Final Four," Nichol said. "But we did take that next step that will allow us to reach the next one. But there are going to be some big shoes to fill from those seniors. We are going to miss them on and off the court; we're going to miss the authority they brought. Carly was such a vocal leader and Katie was a great motivator." Nichol, who was named to the All-Region team for her performances in Champaign, will be looked upon to fill those shoes starting with spring practice in the coming months. She and classmate KiKi Jones will be the two seniors returning next fall. Both Nichol and Jones were recently honored as All-America selections by the AVCA, with Nichol earning second-team honors while Jones was an honorable mention selection, marking the fourth year in a row the Boilermakers have had at least one All-American. f IllustrateD volume 24, issue 3 83