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
"I think Val Nichol and KiKi Jones are going to be those leaders as the two seniors," Cramer said. "And Amanda Neill is going to have a huge next year. She is going to be in her third year in the program, and with Shondell, that makes you a veteran. They are going to be the heart and soul of the team. They have to bring it every day." Beginning with spring practices, Shondell will have a number of questions to answer tactically about how his 2014 team will look: Who will replace Cramer at libero; will the Boilers continue to run a 6-2 offense with two setters as they have the past two seasons with Nichol and Davis? "That is going to be a challenge," Shondell said. "This year's group was very solid and Cramer was like a coach on the floor for us. Amanda Neill will have to continue to improve. But she was great in the tournament; she was amazing — solid as a rock. I'm really excited what she is capable of. Right now, she's the odds on favorite to be the libero next year. But she needs to bring more leadership skills and grow into that role. "I think the jury is still out on whether we will continue to run a 6-2. In my gut, I think Nichol can be one of the two or three best setters in the country. When you have someone with that ability, you have to put her in that spot and give her a chance. But I think Ashley Evans, someone who redshirted this year, is one of the best-kept secrets around. She may become something special." For those who won't be returning in the fall, the pain of that Wisconsin loss is still fresh in their minds. But there's already an appreciation for what was accomplished in 2013 and in the foundation that has been built over the past few seasons. "I think the longer I am away from the season the more successful I am going to think it was," Cramer said. "In the big scheme of things, to be one of the eight teams left in the Tournament is a really special accomplishment. "I think I am really going to value the people that I spent time with here at Purdue. When you think about it, you spend as much time with the people in the program as you do with your own family. There's no offseason, so you are in the gym together every day. You really become a family. It's those small connections. It's not an every day thing in life that you can go to work everyday 84 IllustrateD volume 24, issue 3 knowing the people in your life love and support you." Even as he heads into an offseason a week before he would have liked, Shondell believes his outgoing seniors are leaving the Purdue program in better shape than what they found it four and five years ago. "We had a terrific run," Shondell said. "I feel great about what we accomplished. The program has never been in a better position, and our seniors continued the momentum we have built. They have passed it on to the younger players and did a great job with it." j Tom Campbell Coach Dave Shondell will be challenged to replace the leadership of his outgoing seniors, but a talented freshman class will help. f