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IllustrateD volume 25, issue 1 75 f over the all-important libero role. The front should be stout, partic- ularly in the middle. There, Jones and sophomore Faye Adelaja return; the pair were the Boilermakers' only middle blockers a year ago, making their health a necessity, but they'll have help now. Junior Kaisley Fisher returns from injury — she was recov- ering from ACL surgery last season — and freshman Danielle Cuttino, Prepvolleyball.com's No. 10 Senior Ace for the Class of 2014, add depth. "Having only two middles last year, it was a different story," Jones said. "We were definitely blessed neither of us got hurt during the season, so having that depth really helps us ex- pand our games a little more." Coach Dave Shondell said Cuttino likely would be a starter at a major- ity of programs in the country, but not Purdue. Jones is too good, and Adelaja is under-rated, he says. "I don't think there's anybody in the country who has a middle hitter corps like we have," the 12th-year coach said. "That's a real- ly strong area." Purdue should be strong on the outside, too, where Nichol and juniors Sam Epenesa and Annie Drews return from significant playing time last season. And they'll be buoyed by the arrival of a couple of rookies in Christina Ambrose and Azariah Stahl, each of whom Prepvol- leyball.com ranked in its top-25 high school seniors. "I think we're going to be pretty good offensively," Shondell said, "if we can get in the system." And therein might be Purdue's biggest question of the season. A ball-control coach — Shondell wants to set pace defensively, and use timely aggression on offense — the Boiler- makers are rebuilding in the back half. Pace-setter Carly Cramer, who was instrumental in Purdue's workmanlike attitude the last few seasons, has de- parted, leaving open the libero position. But Neill should be able to fill the gap. The Lafayette native has played plenty, starting 20 games over the quite the progress, but for her it's been real clear." Now, after those incremental improvements — the acceptance of playing two positions, the learn- ing to better communicate with teammates — Nichol's one of the best. She was an AVCA All-Amer- ica third-team selection and All- Big Ten member last season, after averaging 2.77 kills, more than six assists and 1.8 digs per set in helping Purdue to the Elite Eight. And she succeeded by embracing what she once resisted, playing both setter and outside hitter. "It took me growing up to just realize that's how it is," she said. "Coaches are going to put you where they think you can help the team succeed." Nichol, a preseason All-Big Ten pick this season, is one of the country's 12-best players and top-three setters, according to Shondell. Considering where she started, that's quite a statement. "Now, she can have an edge and people respect it," Shondell said. "When you have an edge and you want to let people know what you think, and you haven't done the work, then people look at you and think 'What are you doing?' But when you've done the work and earned the respect, then all of the sudden you can jump on somebody and say, 'Hey, get after the ball. Let's go, make a play.' "She wants this team to win. The things she does now, it's not about Val Nichol, it's about Pur- due." — Kyle Charters