| 2011 Preview – University of Iowa Saucy Nancy

[stextbox id=”alert” color=”050505″ bcolor=”6cc3f8″ bgcolor=”ffffff” big=”true” image=”null”]School Name: University of Iowa
Team Name: Saucy Nancy
Captains: Andrea Uhl, Kristen Appelson, Alyx Averkamp
Coaches: Mike Lun, Dan Kresowik, Steve Hanson
Jersey Colors: Light Blue/Black
Website: http://sites.google.com/site/saucynancyultimate/
2010 Record: 18-10
Score Reporter[/stextbox]

Tell us a little about yourself. How did you get involved with ultimate at your school?

Andrea Uhl: I started at the beginning of freshman year. My good friend from high school (Jessica Erickson, current captain of Iowa State), started one year before me and made it sound so fun. I sought out my school’s team and have been playing ever since.

Saucy connection: Liza Minor & Andrea Uhl

How did your team do last year? What was the highlight of your season?

Andrea: Last year was the first year Saucy Nancy has been any good for a while. We had our ups and downs throughout the year and finished on a good note – taking 4th place at Central Regionals with an upset against Iowa State.

Tell us about your coaches. What do they bring to your team?

Andrea: This is our first year having a coach at all, and now we have three. Mike Lun, our head coach, is an Iowa State alumni and current CLX player who recently moved to Iowa City. Dan Kresowik and Steve Hanson, both University of Iowa alums, also jumped on board. These guys have helped us tremendously with fine tuning our skills and are at every practice and tournament pushing us to play our hardest. I think these guys are going to give Saucy Nancy the push from good to great this year. We love these guys SO much and are so grateful to have them as part of our team.

Former Eau Claire standout Robyn Fennig is playing her last season with Saucy Nancy.

Are there players on your team who deserve consideration for Callahan, All-Region, or Freshman of the Year?

Andrea: Robyn Fennig, former captain of Wisconsin Eau Claire and Callahan nominee, is now a graduate student here playing her last year with us. She’s been a major asset – huge hucks, sick defense, a great zone deep, this girl is just awesome. We also have Chelsea Twohig, who is playing for CLX this year. Then there’s Katie Johnson, it’s only her second year of college ultimate but this girl is insanely fast and has a huge vertical, watch out for her. We don’t have any freshman with a ton of experience but there is Anna Pritchard – she is just full of potential and could easily be a contender for FOTY by the time the series rolls around.

What player is most likely to make a huge play as a thrower? As a receiver? On D?

Andrea: Robyn Fennig – nothing stops her from throwing a full field huck. As a receiver, watch out for Kristen Appelson – small and fast, she catches everything and is always open. On D, Chelsea Twohig – she’s just full of intensity and never lets up.

It’s easy to see when someone throws a huge huck or gets a layout D. Who’s a player you have to watch more carefully to see how valuable they are to your team?

Andrea: Jen Nowak – you may not notice her at first, but watch out or you’ll definitely get skyed.

Liza Minor denies opponents any access to the sauce.

Has your team set any goals for this season? What are they?

Andrea: Our goal is definitely to make it to Nationals this year; it’ll be the first time since 2005.

What tournaments do you plan to attend in the spring? Which one are you most looking forward to?

Andrea: Hopefully Mardi Gras, Midwest Throwdown, and Centex for sure. We’ve never been to Centex before and are really looking forward to it – especially the dance off!

What song would you pick for the soundtrack to your team’s 2011 highlight video?

Andrea: I’ll Make a Man Out of You from the Mulan Soundtrack.

Katie Johnson with a sick layout