September 28, 2007

Pacific freshman coming up aces on the court

By Jason Anderson
Record Staff Writer

STOCKTON - Svenja Engelhardt is more than 5,000 miles from home.

She misses her family and the tranquil streets of Sinsheim, a small town in southwestern Germany with a population of about 35,000. She's been here only six weeks and isn't used to seeing so many cars on the road, but Engelhardt might feel more at home if someone could get her some schnitzel.

"That's a food my mom and grandma make," said Engelhardt, a freshman volleyball player at Pacific. "It's meat, and they have bread on it."

Engelhardt hasn't found anything like the deep-fried breaded veal cutlets her mom and grandmother make, but the 5-foot-11 outside hitter quickly has found a role at Pacific. Engelhardt will make her third consecutive start when the Tigers (7-3, 1-1 Big West Conference) entertain UC Santa Barbara (5-9, 0-2) at 7 p.m. today at Spanos Center.

Engelhardt is making the most of her opportunity, leading the team in scoring the past two matches, but she didn't expect to contribute so soon.

"I'm pretty surprised, but I like it," she said.

There's a lot to like.

Pacific coach Charlie Wade said he believes Engelhardt can contend for Big West Freshman of the Year. With four career starts, she already has played well enough to push junior Kara Uhl, a former first-team All-Big West selection, out of the lineup.

"Svenja certainly has justified her playing time, and she'll continue to play," Wade said. "There's no question, Svenja is one of the best freshmen in the league. I don't think she has established herself as one of the best players yet, but that's certainly within her realm."

Wade said Engelhardt is an accomplished beach volleyball player and is so talented she may one day play in the Olympics.

She appears to be the most athletic player on the team and is blessed with a powerful jump serve. The ball rifles out of her right hand with a heavy topspin that sends it sinking over the net at impossible angles. Engelhardt leads the Big West and ranks third in Division I with 0.86 aces per game. She has 24 of the Tigers' 57 service aces, twice as many as any of her teammates, despite being eighth on the team in games played.

"She provides a great weapon that we didn't have from the service line," senior libero Julie Magud said. "She's going back there and ripping balls."

Engelhardt started Pacific's first two conference matches last week against UC Davis and Cal State Fullerton. She had 12 kills, four aces and three block solos for a total of 19 points against the Aggies, and 23 kills, six aces and one block solo for 30 points against the Titans.

"She's a great addition to the team," Magud said. "She provides positive energy, and she's very calm. Nothing flusters her. She's very poised."

Wade said Engelhardt had interest from schools in the Big 12 and Southeastern conferences, but she was looking for a small, private school with a good biology program. She narrowed her choices to Pacific and Rice, and chose Pacific after visiting both campuses in February.

"I found it really nice here," Engelhardt said. "The school is smaller, and every person is nicer. Rice was really big and busy, and I don't like that."

Engelhardt made the move in August. She misses her mother, her father, her brother and all the comforts of home, but she's adjusting nicely.

"I was pretty nervous at the beginning, but I was also excited to make this step," Engelhardt said. "The first two weeks were pretty hard because I got homesick and stuff, but I have a lot of friends here now, and I feel very comfortable. I like it."