Saturday, June 23, 2007 2:54 AM CDT
Windsor's Lamb to play volleyball at Olivet Nazarene
By Mike Monahan Staff Writer
mmonahan@jg-tc.com
WINDSOR – Before December Nikki Lamb, a recent graduate of Windsor, had not heard of Olivet Nazarene University. However, after typing in things she wanted on collegeboard.com she found that Olivet, a NAIA school, had what she wanted. Lamb is to play volleyball at the school in Bourbonnais.
Lamb is a six-foot first team all-National Trail Conference outside hitter for the 20-10 Lady Blue Devils, coached by JoAnne Brandenburg. Lamb visited Olivet Nazarene in the middle of a snowstorm.
“It is a beautiful campus, even in the middle of a snowstorm,” said Lamb. “It is a Christian University and the faculty is absolutely amazing and the volleyball program has a good reputation.”
Lamb visited Millikin and looked at Youngstown State, Bradley, Drake, Elmhurst and Augustana.
“It (Olivet) is Christian based learning and everyone is willing to help,” said Lamb. “They would bend over backwards to help you. It is an amazing college.”
Lamb, the Windsor Most Valuable Player, led the team in aces, kill sand blocks. She averaged 3.5 kills, 0.8 aces and 0.6 blocks per game. Windsor was 20-12 in 2005, the school’s first 20-win season since 1996.
“Nikki brings athleticism, versatility and depth to our program,” said Olivet Nazarene University coach Brenda Williams. “While it may take time for her to adjust to the college game, we look forward to what she will bring to both our program and to the Olivet community.”
Lamb is one of 14 players on the roster, one that includes Region VII first team players Katarina Stanojevic and Michelle McFadden. The Tigers have three seniors, two juniors, five sophomores and four freshmen.
Olivet was 30-16 last year under Williams, who is entering her 12th season with a 327-189 record and was the 2001 and 2002 National Christian College Athletic Association National Coach of the Year. The team is assisted by Nick Griffin, Chelsie Rountree and recent graduate of Olivet, Megan Gullickson, the Region VII setter of the year and Player of the Year.
“The coaches have such a great passion for the game and a love for the girls and they want them to be the best they can be and truly and honestly care about the girls,” said Lamb. “They are all awesome.”
Lamb is to major in political science and minor in international business.
Lamb, the daughter of Mike and Lori Lamb, is listed as an outside hitter/right side.
“I would prefer right side,” said Lamb. “But I will play wherever they want me to. I have played setter, right side, outside hitter and middle blocker. Coach Griffin told me the other three freshmen and I have the same opportunity as everyone else. We will be the second team and push the first time, but if we prove we are better, then we will take their place. Playing or staring my freshman year depends on how much I improve.”
Lamb gives a lot of credit to cousin Jenny Franklin, a LaSalle Peru graduate, who went on to play volleyball at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville.
“I didn’t have a particularly good club year in my junior year and was discouraged,” said Lamb. “She told me you are going to play in college. If you don’t you will regret not trying.”
Olivet Nazarene, which has an undergraduate enrollment of 2,400, has won the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference title six of he past seven years and have won the NAIA Region VII title three times (2001,03 and 06). They have also been in the NAIA National Tournament five times since 1997, including last year. The team is to open its season by competing in the Concordia University (Cal.) Invitational.
“I am so excited to go to California,” said Lamb. “Our first day of school is Aug. 29 and we go Aug. 30. The team had a 3.3 grade point average last year. Coach Williams makes sure you keep your grades high and the professors are willing to work with the girls. They are very understanding and very nice.”
Olivet is also the training home of the NFC champion Chicago Bears, Lamb’s favorite team.
“It is a big plus,” said Lamb. “We don’t have any interaction with them, but it is still extremely cool.”
As for playing at the collegiate level Lamb said, “It is a huge honor. I am very excited. I am excited to make new friends and learn to play at the collegiate level, which is a quicker pace. To be playing at this level is both exiting and nerve-wracking. It is going to be a good thing and I am pumped for it.”
Contact Mike Monahan at mmonahan@jg-tc.com or 238-6854.
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