Russ Rose Then (2003): “Cassy is a player who is ready to come in and play both mentally and physically.  I don’t know if she’ll be aware of how quick the game is at our level, but on the same token she is going to hit the ball better than alot of freshman middles in the conference.  She is an individual I have alot of confidence in, she doesn’t move like a 6-5 player, and she will make great contributions as a freshman.”

Russ Rose Now (2025):

Before Penn State: Four-year volleyball letterwinner at Smoky Hill High School in Aurora, Colorado; team captain in 2001 and 2002 for the Buffaloes; led Smoky Hill to state championships in 2001 and 2002 and the state semifinals in 2000; was named the Most Valuable Player in the 2002 Colorado state tournament; named to the state all-tournament team in 2001 and 2002 and named All-Colorado by the Denver Post in 2002; member of the 18-Black Front Range Volleyball Club team that won the 2002 18-Open Junior National Championship; also named all-region in 2001 and 2002; member of the senior honor roll; awarded the 2003 “Commitment to Excellence Award” by the dirctor and coaches of the Front Range Volleyball club; tabbed as a “Fab 50” selection by Volleyball Magazine; named one of the Hot 100 recruits in the class of 2003.

“Women’s volleyball wins five postseason honors,” The Daily Collegian, Dec. 2, 2003