Russ Rose Then (2005): “We’re expecting big things from Cassy this year.  Whether she is playing at the middle or rightside position, she’s going to have to come up big offensively and at the net for us.  She has played well in both NCAA Tournament stretches for us and we need to find a way to have her play at a high level throughout the entire season.  Cassy has the ability and desire to dominate matches and she is willing to switch positions if necessary to aid the team.”

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 director 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