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): “Cassy was an incredible team player and always an exceptional communicator. She was the Big 10 Freshman of the Year, which was a major award, but she was hampered by injuries in later years. We had a lot of success when she was healthy and playing well. She was really good off of one foot, and back in 2003, 2004, and 2005 seasons probably was one of the first college players that was attacking off of one foot out of the back row. She was a team leader and incredibly loyal to the program. I’m incredibly fond of her and proud of the success she’s had as an adult.”
2003 Season (Freshman) Highlights and Awards: AVCA Mideast Region Freshman of the Year … Big Ten Freshman of the Year … Big Ten All-Freshman Team.
Season Recap: Played in 34 of 36 matches (starting 32) and 119 of 129 sets … led the team with 1.42 blocks/set … ended the season ranked 7th on Penn State’s single-season block assist all-time list with 150 … posted a career-high 12 blocks against Rhode Island (8/29) … recorded three matches with 10 block assists or more … notched at least two blocks in 32 of 34 matches … posted first career double-double with 14 kills and 10 blocks at Iowa (11/29) … averaged 2.15 kills/set, good for 4th on the team … recorded a career-high 21 kills versus Michigan (11/14) … tallied eight double-digit kills matches … notched at least two kills in all 34 matches … had 16 service aces for the season, including a career-high three aces on three occasions … posted a career-best seven digs at Michigan State (9/26) … had at least one dig in 32 matches.
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