Werth excited about challenges that lie ahead
By Joe Pritchett
Chatham Editor
It is virtually impossible to keep up with the list of accomplishments in Hannah Werth's volleyball
career so far.
Ten school records, two state records, three All-State selections, four All-Conference teams, etc.
and the list goes on and on, and that's not even counting all of her accomplishments at the Club and
National levels.
And on Wednesday morning, Werth's career body of work so far put her at the doorstep of her next
big challenge - Division I collegiate volleyball at the highest level.
Werth officially signed her letter of intent to attend the University of Nebraska, where she will attend
classes and compete for the Cornhuskers' volleyball team, one of the nation's elite volleyball programs.
Werth will begin her next journey in January, after graduating early from Glenwood High School, and
in less than two months will be enrolled in classes at Nebraska and practicing with the women's
volleyball team.
"I've been waiting for this day for a very long time," Werth stated. "Ever since I was young I've wanted
to do something great and this is my chance to do something great in college, and even after college.
It's a great opportunity, and I'm really blessed to have it.
"I'm really excited," she continued. "I love the coaching staff there, and they are the why I chose that
school."
The marks that Werth will leave on the Glenwood High School volleyball program are indelible, and
her records are sure to last for a very long time, some maybe forever.
In addition to being the team's MVP for three straight seasons, Werth's school records include:
hitting efficiency - season (.414 in 2008), hitting efficiency - career (.331), most ace serves - season
(62), most ace serves - career (183), most blocks - season (111 - 2005), most blocks - career (252),
most kills - season (699 - 2007), most kills - career (2,022), most digs - season (350 - 2007) and most
digs - career (936).
In addition, her 2,022 kills smashed the Illinois High School Association state record of 1,697, and
her 17 kills in one game in a contest earlier this season tied a state record. Her 699 kills in 2007 is
second all-time, and her 606 kills this season is sixth all-time in the IHSA record books. Werth's 30
kills in a match is 12th all-time.
Werth has been a member of the USA Junior Women's National Team the past two summers, and
a three-time All-State selection by the Champaign News-Gazette. She has been named to the Central
State Eight Conference team all four years, and will probably be named the conference's player of the
year for the third straight year.
For her high school career alone, she has been named to 13 All-Tournament teams over four years,
and MVP in several of those as well.
Larry Sample, a 24-year high school volleyball coaching veteran who has won a large school state
title and who has coached Werth at GHS the last three years, is on record as saying she is the best
player he has ever coached.
Sample also said he believed Werth was good enough to play Division I volleyball as a sophomore
in high school, and added, "She's going to fit right in at Nebraska She's earned all of this, and she's a
great person and a great athlete. Hannah's a phenomenal player and really fun to be with."
Glenwood High School Athletic Director Dan Rourke added that he thinks Werth is good enough to
make the USA Olympic Volleyball Team, and told the gathering Wednesday to be ready to see her at the
2012 Olympic Games.
Believe it or not, Werth, at 6' 1", will be looking up at many of her teammates in the coming years.
"I'm short compared to a lot of outside hitters in college," she explained. "But I can jump well, so
that's why I can stay with them, and I can also pass well. Playing club gave me a lot of experience
against some really good players."
At Nebraska, Werth is expected to start out as an outside hitter, but her role could expand or change
as the years go on.
"I haven't really been trained to be a setter," she added. "I just started setting this year. They are
going to train me to set and groom me to be a setter, and I could be a backup setter and also an
outside hitter."
"I just want to say thank you to Coach Sample," she concluded. "Without him, I would be going to
college but I wouldn't have all of these great honors and nobody would really know what is going on in
my life. My hat's off to him for everything he's done. I'd also like to say thanks to my parents (Kim and
Dennis). They've taken me from coast to coast on college visits. I had a great three years here since
Sample's been here."
This year's Nebraska volleyball team is currently ranked No. 3 in the nation and has a 23-1 overall
record. The postseason begins Dec. 5 this season.
The Cornhuskers have won three NCAA National Titles - 2006, 2000 and 1995.
By Joe Pritchett
Chatham Editor
It is virtually impossible to keep up with the list of accomplishments in Hannah Werth's volleyball
career so far.
Ten school records, two state records, three All-State selections, four All-Conference teams, etc.
and the list goes on and on, and that's not even counting all of her accomplishments at the Club and
National levels.
And on Wednesday morning, Werth's career body of work so far put her at the doorstep of her next
big challenge - Division I collegiate volleyball at the highest level.
Werth officially signed her letter of intent to attend the University of Nebraska, where she will attend
classes and compete for the Cornhuskers' volleyball team, one of the nation's elite volleyball programs.
Werth will begin her next journey in January, after graduating early from Glenwood High School, and
in less than two months will be enrolled in classes at Nebraska and practicing with the women's
volleyball team.
"I've been waiting for this day for a very long time," Werth stated. "Ever since I was young I've wanted
to do something great and this is my chance to do something great in college, and even after college.
It's a great opportunity, and I'm really blessed to have it.
"I'm really excited," she continued. "I love the coaching staff there, and they are the why I chose that
school."
The marks that Werth will leave on the Glenwood High School volleyball program are indelible, and
her records are sure to last for a very long time, some maybe forever.
In addition to being the team's MVP for three straight seasons, Werth's school records include:
hitting efficiency - season (.414 in 2008), hitting efficiency - career (.331), most ace serves - season
(62), most ace serves - career (183), most blocks - season (111 - 2005), most blocks - career (252),
most kills - season (699 - 2007), most kills - career (2,022), most digs - season (350 - 2007) and most
digs - career (936).
In addition, her 2,022 kills smashed the Illinois High School Association state record of 1,697, and
her 17 kills in one game in a contest earlier this season tied a state record. Her 699 kills in 2007 is
second all-time, and her 606 kills this season is sixth all-time in the IHSA record books. Werth's 30
kills in a match is 12th all-time.
Werth has been a member of the USA Junior Women's National Team the past two summers, and
a three-time All-State selection by the Champaign News-Gazette. She has been named to the Central
State Eight Conference team all four years, and will probably be named the conference's player of the
year for the third straight year.
For her high school career alone, she has been named to 13 All-Tournament teams over four years,
and MVP in several of those as well.
Larry Sample, a 24-year high school volleyball coaching veteran who has won a large school state
title and who has coached Werth at GHS the last three years, is on record as saying she is the best
player he has ever coached.
Sample also said he believed Werth was good enough to play Division I volleyball as a sophomore
in high school, and added, "She's going to fit right in at Nebraska She's earned all of this, and she's a
great person and a great athlete. Hannah's a phenomenal player and really fun to be with."
Glenwood High School Athletic Director Dan Rourke added that he thinks Werth is good enough to
make the USA Olympic Volleyball Team, and told the gathering Wednesday to be ready to see her at the
2012 Olympic Games.
Believe it or not, Werth, at 6' 1", will be looking up at many of her teammates in the coming years.
"I'm short compared to a lot of outside hitters in college," she explained. "But I can jump well, so
that's why I can stay with them, and I can also pass well. Playing club gave me a lot of experience
against some really good players."
At Nebraska, Werth is expected to start out as an outside hitter, but her role could expand or change
as the years go on.
"I haven't really been trained to be a setter," she added. "I just started setting this year. They are
going to train me to set and groom me to be a setter, and I could be a backup setter and also an
outside hitter."
"I just want to say thank you to Coach Sample," she concluded. "Without him, I would be going to
college but I wouldn't have all of these great honors and nobody would really know what is going on in
my life. My hat's off to him for everything he's done. I'd also like to say thanks to my parents (Kim and
Dennis). They've taken me from coast to coast on college visits. I had a great three years here since
Sample's been here."
This year's Nebraska volleyball team is currently ranked No. 3 in the nation and has a 23-1 overall
record. The postseason begins Dec. 5 this season.
The Cornhuskers have won three NCAA National Titles - 2006, 2000 and 1995.
Chatham Clarion
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Issue Date: Nov. 13, 2008
