Russ Rose Then (2006):  “Kara continues to make progress in the areas that we think are important for her to be able to contribute.  She has developed a strong serve and also serves as a back-up setter in practice.  She is a player who her teammates enjoy, yet I want her to be a better defender in the back row.”

Russ Rose Now (2025):

2006 Season:  Academic All-Big Ten … played in 19 matches and 21 games as a serving and defensive specialist … posted seven digs and four service aces for the year, including first career ace against Nicholls State (8/25) at the LSU Classic … recorded two digs against Eastern Kentucky (9/1) and at Iowa (9/22) … also picked up a dig versus Ohio State (9/20), Michigan State (10/21) and Indiana (11/4).

Before Penn State: Three-year letterwinner at Bloomington (Ill.) High School … team captain during senior year for the Raiders … helped squad to three Illinois sectional titles … named to the Big 12 team during senior season … also earned the coaches award … member of the honor roll, Who’s Who and the Big 12 academic team.

“Quintet of unsung heroes key to Lions’ recent success,” The Daily Collegian, Nov. 15, 2007