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Mike Miazga |
The 2003 season would not qualify as a "banner campaign" for the University
of North Carolina-Charlotte 49'ers women's team.
And 49'ers head coach Lisa Marston is the first to admit it.
"It was an abysmal year. We won eight matches," said Marston. "After the
season, we changed systems and made some other changes. I took a hold of the
team. Nobody enjoyed an 8-24 season.".
Marston thought things were headed in a positive direction heading into the
2004 season and then things got a whole lot worse.
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The 2004 UNC-Charlotte women's team |
Three Charlotte players were involved in a serious car accident last spring
outside Tampa, Fla. One of the players, libero Danielle Miller (a Woodstock,
Ill. native), was killed. Miller joined the team as a walkon in 2002. The
other two players, senior Holly Kreyling and sophomore Millicent Martin
survived the accident.
"This was the hardest thing I have ever had to go through personally and
professionally," said Marston. "I brought Dani to the team and I had to deal
with that, but I had to push it off to the side and make sure the girls were
okay. These girls are like sisters to each other."
Given the circumstances, it would have been understandable if Charlotte had
gone in the tank yet again.
But just the opposite happened. The 49'ers banded together and produced a
strong season that included an 11-win improvement over 2003. The team finished
19-14. The win total was the most the program had enjoyed since 1994.
"What happened was very devastating and very traumatic," said Charlotte
junior outside hitter Abbey Szlanfucht. "But we talked a lot with each other
every day. We were on the same page this year all the time. We wanted to be
like Danielle was on the court and bring her existence on the court. She was a
big part of this team. What we did is very gratifying. We showed a lot heart
and dedication. We accomplished a lot and then some considering what has
happened."
Marston, who completed her fifth season in the Queen City, refuses to take
any credit for what happened.
"The players deserve total credit," she said. "Coaches in general
underestimate their players. Coaches rarely get to see players in this
situation. What I saw was absolutely incredible how they helped each other.
I have so much respect for them. They were the ones that were able to perform
this season. Going from what we had last year, to the accident to winning 19
matches is a great accomplishment."
Marston also knows Miller's contributions to the program on and off the
court won't be forgotten any time soon.
"She was the spitfire of the team," said Marston. "She was an incredible
life force."
Mike Miazga
Editor in Chief
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