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Luhrsen discusses transfer to UI

Posted by: Jeff Huth

Friday, April 3, 2009 6:41 PM

Finally got a chance to interview the latest addition to the Illini volleyball team on Friday, when Annie Luhrsen responded to a message to call.
By all appearances, the Connecticut transfer is a real get for UI coach Kevin Hambly and his staff. Put in charge of the Huskies attack as a true freshman last season, the 6-foot setter performed like a veteran for 21-11 UConn - a fact Big East coaches recognized by naming the Wheaton native the league's freshman of the year.
Despite that smashing debut, Luhrsen said, she was ready to leave after just one year, a decision made while home for Christmas break.
"I realized it wasn't the right place for me and I would be happiest if I moved on somewhere else," the Wheaton Warrenville South graduate said by phone from the UConn campus, where she is finishing out the spring semester. "As an athlete, the volleyball program wasn't right for me. (The school) is far away from home - that is a factor. It's a pretty good school (academically), so I was challenged with that. Just the school in general wasn't right."
When asked to elaborate on why the Huskies volleyball program "wasn't right" for her, she declined. "I'll just leave it at that," she said.
In her search for a new school, Luhrsen said, she visited Kansas State, Texas A&M, Virginia and Northwestern as well as the UI. With all of its scholarships committed to others next season, Luhrsen will joined the Illini as a walk-on. She also is scheduled to redshirt next season, preserving three seasons of eligibility. Her return to action in 2010 will coincide with starting setter Hillary Haen's senior year.
"I'm definitely OK with that," Luhrsen said. "I trust the coaches and their decision. I'm going to benefit from a year of pure training and extra physical things. Extra training is always good for you. I don't have a problem with (redshirting)."
The two-time News-Gazette All-State first-teamer is no stranger to Huff Hall. Her older sister, Katie, was a walk-on defensive specialist for Illinois in 2005 after transferring from Maryland. Annie Luhrsen said she attended several Illini home matches that season.
When asked what she thought of Huff's atmosphere on match night, Luhrsen said: "It's definitely exciting, Big Ten volleyball is its own beast. All the schools get great fans and great crowds, and their gyms are definitely tailored to volleyball, which you don't get in every conference."
In her first collegiate season, Luhrsen had an all-around impact that went far beyond setting. She ranked 10th in the nation in service aces per set and finished second on her team in digs, third in blocks and fifth in kills.
"Especially for setters, I believe you have to do everything well in order to be successful," Luhrsen said. "And it kind of keeps you sane as a setter. If you're not having a great day in one aspect, you can make up for it in another."
The experience at UConn proved that Luhrsen can run a one-setter attack at a high level. Although she ran a 5-1 offense in high school, most of her background before college was in a two-setter attack. In club ball with Sports Performance, she split setters duties in a 6-2 while rotating into the front row.
"I was fortunate to be able to play as a freshman," Luhrsen said. "I really got college experience and I got to run a team, which I hadn't done too often in the past. I learned a lot."