Russ Rose Then (1996): “I think Claudette improved last year. Her game was much better than it was the year before. Going into her last year we need her to be an aggressive server and backrow player and also provide us with quality leadership. She is one of the Tri-Captains and hopefully she will be able to help the team in many needed areas.”
1996 Season (Senior) Highlights and Awards: 1996 Tri-Captain … Otero and Penn State’s three other seniors — Angie Kammer, Heidi Rottinghaus, and Jodi Niswender — had an impressive 4-year run, with an outstanding 120-20 (.857) record, including a 67-5 (.931) mark at home … during her career, Penn State led the Big Ten in digs all 4 years and finished ranked in the top 10 at the end of each season … in addition, Penn State competed in 2 Final Fours (1993 and 1994) and won 2 Big Ten titles (1993 and 1996, when it tied with Michigan State). Prior to the 1996 season, her career match-high in digs was 12 (vs. Colorado, 12/9/1993) and her career match-high in services aces was 3 (vs. Indiana, 9/23/1994).
Season Recap: Played in 32 of 34 matches and 74 of 115 sets … recorded 60 digs (0.81 digs/set) and 6 service aces.
Before Penn State: Otero won 3 letters as a setter and defensive specialist at Berkeley Preparatory … an honorable-mention all conference selection her senior year, Otero was presented with the Coaches Awards annually during her scholastic career … a team captain, she played on teams that captured 4 state championships … as a forward and goalie for the soccer team, she was an honotable-mention -all-conference … received the Most Improved and Sportsmanship awards.
