Even by the lofty standards that define the intercollegiate volleyball program at Minnesota State University Moorhead, 2000 was something special, a season rich in memories not soon to be forgotten.
For some, like Amy Weinzierl Baasch, the recollections will last forever.
One of four seniors that provided solid bedrock, Weinzierl helped the Dragons and head coach Tammy Blake-Kath capture a rare Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Championship, forge a remarkable 28-4 record and advance to the NCAA Division II North Central Region tournament for the first time.
MSUM rattled off nine straight victories to open the season before hitting a mid-season speed bump of three losses in a five-match span. Nationally-ranked North Dakota State University rescued a five-game victory to end the Dragons’ perfect start, and University of Minnesota Duluth sent the Dragons reeling in four games in early January.
Despite the hiccup, the Dragons closed the regular season in a rush with 17 straight games, and Weinzierl and her senior pals still had something special in mind.
“I think we knew it when we started the season playing so well,” said Weinzierl. “Then we went to Duluth and played terrible, that was the turning point in our season. We had been playing well up to that point but we were taking a lot of games for granted, but after losing to Duluth as badly as we did, it caused us to refocus. It made us realize we had to work even harder if we wanted to make it to regionals.”
“When we played Duluth and beat them in five the second time around in a game that seemed to go on forever, we knew we had stepped up our play. After that win, we still were a long shot because we had lost to Duluth so badly and also had a loss to NDSU. We needed some help from other teams in the conference, and Northern (State) defeated Duluth in five the last game of the season which placed us ahead of them in the standings. I remember waking up that Sunday and checking the paper and being in shock to see Duluth had lost. That's when we knew we would make it into the regionals.”
The reward was an invitation to the most difficult of the eight regional tournaments, with a field that included North Central Conference powers Augustana College, the soon-to-be crowned national champion, North Dakota State, South Dakota State and Nebraska-Omaha.
Nebraska-Omaha sent the Dragons packing with a 15-10, 13-15, 15-6, 15-9 victory in the opening round.
“Losing at regionals was obviously very disappointing because we had worked so hard all year and felt we didn't play up to the level we were capable of,” Weinzierl said. “Also it was a realization that not only was my volleyball career over, but this was the last game this team would play together.”
A four-year starter, Weinzierl ranked second on the club in kills, 2.68, and blocks, 115, during the 2000 campaign. She was named to the All-NSIC team as a senior and collected NSIC All-Academic honors as a junior and senior. She also has fond memories of her Dragon crew of yesteryear.
“We had a great nucleus that had been playing together for four years,” Weinzierl said. “Four of our starters had been starting off and on since we were freshmen so we had a lot of experience, and we were not only teammates but good friends off the court as well. We had lots of ups and downs as far as winning went, but I think that helped us become stronger as a group and taught us how to fight when games got tough.”
“During spring ball the year before, we decided as a team we needed to work harder in the off-season if we wanted to see our full potential in the regular season. Coach worked our butts off in morning practices three days a week all spring which carried into the summer. As a team, we came into fall practice in the best shape we had ever been which I think set the tone for the rest of the season.”
A native of Bottineau, ND, Weinzierl cast her lot with the Dragons in 1997.
“I wanted to go to a (NCAA) Division II school, and the Dragons were the only school that offered me a decent scholarship,” said Weinzierl. “When I did my try-out, all the girls and coaches were very friendly and welcoming. I also wanted to go somewhere close to home but not to close, and when I did my tour, I felt very comfortable on campus. I liked that MSUM had a small school atmosphere plus a great teaching program.”
While the memories are swell, the lessons learned from a committed collegiate athletic experience have paid dividends for Weinzierl as well.
“Being in sports helped me learn what can happen if you work hard. Sports taught me how to work with a team, and while I didn't always get along with every person on every team, I learned how to put those differences aside when we stepped on the court. I feel this has helped me in life when dealing with people not only in my personal life but also my professional life.”
“Sports also taught me how to be mentally tough and push myself out of my comfort level to achieve things,” said Weinzierl. “I learned setting goals is important and how to work to achieve those goals. Playing volleyball in college also strengthened my love for coaching. I wanted to teach girls, not only about volleyball, but also help them gain some of the same life-long skills I have been given and use in my adult life. I coached volleyball for six years before giving it up to have a family.”
Her stay at MSUM provided some other special benefits as well.
“I made a lot of life-long friendships with my teammates, other student athletes and people I met through my education classes. I met my husband Matt, who played for the Dragon football team, while at MSUM.”
“My husband Matt and I live in West Fargo. We have three kids, son Eli, 4, daughter Kirby, 2, and son Henry, just born in October. I am a second grade teacher at South Elementary in West Fargo.”
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