Olson, Mattson Earned AVCA Midwest Honors

Falcons Holly Olson and Melissa Mattson put together such strong seasons last year that they were named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association Midwest All-Region team.

One of the challenges they face this year is having the same type of season with teams keying on them in an effort to stop them from performing up to their abilities.

"It was a tough task for them to gain recognition as sophomores and it will be tough this season because people will be looking for Mattson on the attack and key on Olson as she runs the offense," coach Patti Ford said.

"A good thing is that both players have a great core of other players around them," said Ford. "That will help alleviate some of the stress that comes with a sophomore season and recognition as an all-region player. They can continue to do their job and lead the team."

That core of players around them does not go unnoticed by Mattson and Olson.

"I was shocked because I was a sophomore last year," said Olson, the team's setter. "It was a big compliment to us, coach Ford and all my teammates. The team did well and I think the team deserved having players named to the squad. It was a big confidence builder for the coaches and team."

"It was a big shock and the credit goes to other players who helped us get that far," added Mattson, a middle hitter.

Mattson led the Falcons with 424 kills, averaging just over three a game. She had a team-high .314 hitting percentage. She had 144 blocks, second on the team. Olson had 1,707 assists which is a single season record. She is currently second in career assists with 2,251.

"They put up some good numbers because of team around them," said Ford. "They took care of their responsibilities and both have great potential to erase several team records."

Both thought the 1998 season was a great one.

"We had a lot of confidence and we were trusted by our teammates and coaches," said Olson. "I had fun playing, probably the most fun I've had playing sports in my whole career."

"We played well together," said Mattson. "Other teams could not focused on one player, but on the whole team. We were able to put in a lot of different plays and we used a lot of people. The whole season was a confidence builder."

"Holly is one of the finest setters we had in a great line of setters. She helps the team as the quarterback of the show," said Ford. "Melissa gets better and better and stronger and stronger because she works so hard on and off the court. It will be difficult to stop her because of her physical stature and her ability to run the slide which she has almost perfected. She has added a few other shots to keep things honest."

"I've been told that my strength is that I lead by example," said Olson. "My role as the setter is a big leadership role. Everyone has to know what she is doing and it's my job to let everyone know what suppose to be done as far as hitting. The thing I'd like to work on is my defense, and I'm working on that this year."

"I think my strength is hitting," said Mattson. "I want to become a better all-around player - go for every ball and help others out."

Both players agree that Falcon volleyball is something special. "Falcon volleyball has come a long way. We've heard stories about how it was in the past and how it is now. I think it is well respected in the conference and nation. A lot of that is due to the coaching staff," said Olson.

"Our team goal is to win the conference title and take a good shot at the region title," said Olson who wants to be a landscape designer. "I think we can be successful because we can have as many as six lineups…players are equally strong."

"Our team goal is to win conference and beat Whitewater for sure," said Mattson, who wants to be a physical education teacher and coach volleyball. The Falcons lost just six times last year and four of those losses were to Whitewater. "And we need to keep playing well as a team."