A 'Kill'-er Duo: Ambrosini and Sleasman

October 17, 2011

UNIONTOWN, Pa. - Sports fans always like to compare generations of athletes, and discuss once-in-a-lifetime players. It's a popular notion that your favorite sports team may only see one or two of these players over the course of decades, and the athlete's talents and personality become a rallying point for the team, its fans and its city. St. Louis has Stan Musial and Albert Pujols. Chicago has Walter Payton; New York has Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio and Derek Jeter. Pittsburgh has greats Mario Lemieux and Sidney Crosby.

Penn State Fayette's women's volleyball fans, however, can list two names in that once-in-a-lifetime category all in one four-year span. It is a situation most college programs, and even professional teams, would love to be in--to have two record-setting, notable talents on one squad.

Senior Katie Sleasman and junior Leah Ambrosini have led the Roaring Lions together for the better part of three seasons, and each has set records in recent weeks. Ambrosini set the school's all-time kills record of 761 only 22 games into her junior season, surpassing former Roaring Lions standout Heather Kelly, who finished her career in 2009 with 760. Sleasman cruised by the previous assists record earlier in the season, and now has 1,957 assists in her illustrious career.

The duo of Sleasman and Ambrosini forms one of the best setter-outside hitter combinations in the history of the Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference, if not the entire United State Collegiate Athletic Association. Sleasman has assisted Ambrosini on nearly 75 percent of her kills, while nearly 30 percent of Sleasman's assists have gone to Ambrosini, despite playing a full collegiate season before Ambrosini arrived at Fayette.

The teammates have led Fayette to records of 17-8, 24-13 and 24-4 over the past three years, including top-10 finishes in the USCAA in 2009 and 2010. The run also includes two regular season conference titles and two conference tournament titles, with the 2011 tournament to begin Oct. 18, although Fayette has secured a first round bye. Sleasman was also a part of the 2008 PSUAC Championship team.

"It's fun to watch," says head coach Nancy Wheeler. "Katie and Leah are in sync with each other, and the rest of the team feeds off of that. They've become good friends the past few years, particularly while sharing leadership duties."

The friendship dates back to 2005, Sleasman's sophomore year and Ambrosini's freshman year at Connellsville High School. While they were more teammates than friends at the time, that foundation has helped the two build a solid partnership for the the Roaring Lions.

"Having Leah as a teammate goes way back to before college," says Sleasman. "I have had the privilege to play with Leah since I was a sophomore in high school, and although we weren't as close then we still had a team bond that carried over through college."

"Katie and I work well together," adds Ambrosini. "We've played a lot of volleyball together, and it helps when you can be on the same page with someone all the time. Our timing is important, and trusting each other is a big part of being successful."

Wheeler joined the duo in 2007, taking over the reins of Connellsville during Sleasman's senior season.

"I have been with Katie and Leah a long time," says Wheeler. "You couldn't ask for two better leaders, teammates and student-athletes."

Wheeler, the two-time Coach of the Year in the PSUAC, has been successful in her own right, leading Fayette to a 36-2 conference record in three seasons at the helm, including two regular season conference titles and two tournament titles. Not to mention, she also brought in her largest recruiting class this year.

"We have a young team but that is by no means standing in our way," adds Sleasman. "Coach (Nancy Wheeler) did a great job recruiting this year. This year's team is definitely our best team skills-wise."

However, Sleasman's skills were not always tailored to become a setter. The Connellsville native was an outside hitter before Wheeler moved her to libero for her senior season of high school, and Sleasman had more of a defensive mindset before former Fayette coach Casey O'Brien turned her into a setter out of necessity.

"I played libero my senior year in high school and fell in love with defense," admits Sleasman. "But my freshman year (at Fayette) my coach had different plans for me. We had no setter and I thought I would just have to stand in for the year until we found one."

That year turned into four, and the necessary experiment has worked out for all parties involved. Sleasman has not regretted the move from libero to setter, as the move paid off. Sleasman has garnered All-PSUAC First Team honors during her first three seasons, including two awards as the conference's Setter of the Year, and will look to become a four-time honoree in the conference. Sleasman also raked in USCAA All-American Second Team awards her first two seasons.

"(Being a setter) ended up lasting all four years and I would not have wanted it any other way," the business major declares.

Ambrosini, on the other hand, came in as an outside hitter and will leave the same way. The nursing major has 812 career kills to date, and will chase her 1,000th kill next season, a mark she will likely reach within the season's first month.

"I've never really thought about the kills record," says Ambrosini. "I'm happy to win and be a part of a championship team. The record is just icing on the cake for me."

But that doesn't mean her teammate of six seasons can't still be in awe sometimes.

"It has been an honor to help Leah achieve the kills record," says Sleasman. "She is an amazing player and I owe a lot of credit to her (for my own record)."

Ambrosini, the conference's two-time defending Player of the Year, is also a two-time All-PSUAC First Team selection, the 2009 Freshman of the Year and a two-time USCAA First Team All-American. She led the USCAA in hitting percentage in 2010, and leads Fayette in kills and hitting percentage this season.

"I couldn't have gotten to where I am without help from my teammates and coaches," says Ambrosini. "They have all made me a better player, and I hope that I've been able to make their jobs easier as well."

Wheeler knows the duo of Ambrosini and Sleasman is special, and with a plethora of talented freshmen and sophomores, she knows this year is Fayette's best chance yet to compete for a national championship.

"This program will always strive for excellence, and it shows with our freshmen this year," exclaims Wheeler. "But to have two leaders like Katie and Leah can be the difference for a team from year to year. Without upperclassmen leading the way, it can be difficult for freshmen to adjust to the college game. Our freshmen have done an excellent job adapting and adjusting, and a lot of that credit goes to having experienced teammates like Katie and Leah."

Sleasman and Ambrosini, not surprisingly, agree with their coach.

"Ever since our first practice together I have been saying that this is the year Fayette can bring home a national championship."

 
"This is a good team," says Ambrosini. "We have the most depth we've ever had, and we can compete with the best in the USCAA. I'm really looking forward to the postseason."

The three-time defending PSUAC Tournament Champion Roaring Lions take their 28-game conference winning streak into the PSUAC Tournament semifinals on Friday, Oct. 21 at Penn State University Park's Rec Hall. First serve is set for 8:30 p.m. against the winner of the Penn State Brandywine and Penn State Mont Alto quarterfinal.

Of course, they will be led to the familiar building by their once-, make that twice-in-a-lifetime co-captains.

And if they win? They're not going to Disney World. They'll just hit up the famous Lion Shrine for a team picture and enjoy an ice cream at the Berkey Creamery with their teammates.