Russ Rose Then (2005): “Kate was our best player in Italy until she was injured.  Unfortunately, her foot injury caused her to drop off of the USA Junior National Team and we’re still waiting for her to heal completely.  The good thing about Kate is that she has so much volleyball experience that she will be able to get herself back into the mix very quickly.  She learned a great deal last season about college volleyball, and my expectations for her are very high.”

Russ Rose Now (2025):

2005 Season: Preseason All-Big Ten … saw action in all 34 matches and 99 of 111 games for the season … averaged 2.69 kills per game, 0.21 service aces per game, 2.13 digs per game and 0.55 blocks per game as an outside hitter and primary passer … was one of four players in double-digit kills (10) versus Hawaii (8/27) at the AVCA/NACWAA Showcase in Omaha, Neb. … had 10 double-digit kill matches for the year … tallied a season-high 16 kills on .417 hitting against Western Michigan (9/1) at the Hawaiian Airlines Classic … racked up 14 kills on .462 hitting versus Indiana (10/1) and 11 kills on .562 hitting at Northwestern (.526) … ranked third on the team with 21 service aces … provided a career-high five service aces versus Pacific (9/9) at the Nebraska Players Challenge … recorded first double-double of the season with 12 kills and 17 digs at Hawaii (9/2) … posted a career-high 18 digs against Southern California (8/31) at the Hawaiian Airlines Classic … had at least four digs in 24 matches of the year and provided double-digit dig figures in seven matches, including the last three of the season … recorded a career-high six blocks in the NCAA Tournament second round win over Long Island (12/3) … had 16 multiple-block matches, including eight of the last nine contests … provided four blocks at Ohio State (9/28) and against Wisconsin (10/28).

Before Penn State: Four-year volleyball letterwinner at Fraser High School in Fraser, Mich. … team captain in 2003 for the Ramblers … led Fraser to the Michigan state title in 2002 and 2003 … a three-time first team all-state selection … earned honorable mention all-state following freshman year … also won the state championship in the high jump … was a three-year track letterwinner and a three-year basketball letterwinner … named a Volleyball Magazine ‘Fab 50’ selection in 2003.