BULLS NEWS

When college athletes first join their respective teams, usually it can take one, two, or even three years to find their niche. This is not the case for three of UB's finest up-and-coming student-athletes. It seems like this trio fit right in, right away - and they are now making valuable contributions to their respective teams as starters in their second season.

Alexis Bouie of the women's volleyball team, and Nicole Olszewski of the women's soccer team are both sophomores, and J.J. Gibson of the football team is listed as a redshirt freshman.

On top of the fact that these three are all important contributors in their sport, these student-athletes have another similarity; they all went to high school in the Buffalo area. Alexis went to Albion, Nicole attended Lancaster, and J.J. graduated from Sweet Home. All three student-athletes not only excelled in the sports they play now at UB, but they also all showed their versatility in other sports while still in high school.

Alexis Bouie

Alexis is currently the volleyball team's middle hitter. This season, Alexis is second on the team in kills with 188, and leads the team with 77 blocks. While still at Albion, Alexis led her Purple Eagles to an undefeated 19-0 record en route to the Niagara Orleans League title in 1999. She was named to the All-Western New York Second Team. Bouie also lettered in track, basketball, and softball.

Bouie's freshman campaign at UB was a successful one. She was tied for fifth on the team in blocks with 42 and also added 68 kills. Alexis was given the UB Coaches Award, given to the player who stands out in attitude, dedication, and commitment. The award was a testament to how much head coach Nadine Lilavois supports her young star. Like the majority of strong coach- to-player relationships, confidence in one another is a reciprocal thing.

"Coach Lilavois exemplifies every expectation I could want and need from a Division I coach," Alexis said.

Alexis had a strong freshman year, a year that she described as a "great challenge."

"That season made me stronger, not only physically, emotionally, and spiritually, but most important mentally," she added.

Bouie chose UB over Southwest Missouri State University. "UB was the right choice for me because I feel that it has the most to offer me and I have a lot to give," said Bouie.

The transition from high school to college is a very difficult time for most student-athletes. However for Alexis, she called the transition "just another step up life's ladder." Even though the team is struggling this season with a 5-21 record, Bouie is confident that the improving Bulls will have a bright future.

"Though we are graduating five seniors, we have a strong, fresh, dedicated young team," she said. "This volleyball program is going nowhere but up," she added.

Alexis is studying medicine and has aspirations of becoming an orthopedic surgeon.

Nicole Olszewski

Nicole Olszewski, who attended Lancaster High School, finished the season as the leading scorer for the soccer team. Nicole, who chose UB over Canisius, New Haven, and Stony Brook, decided to play her collegiate ball close to home.

"I realized I wanted to stay close because I'm a very family-oriented person," she said.

Olszewski played five years on her high school varsity team andwas a first-team ECIC Division I All-Star, as well as being named to the All-Western New York team. She also played basketball.

Last season, Nicole proved she was the real deal, starting 17 of 21 games, and finishing second on the team in scoring with 19 points, which included two game-winning goals. For a freshman season, this is not at all shabby, yet Nicole feels that the best is yet to come.

"My freshman year I was kind of a behind-the-scenes player." she stated. "Last season wasn't a bad season for me, but it wasn't a great one."

This season, Nicole was indeed great. With seven goals and six assists, Nicole finished eighth in the Mid-American Conference in overall points with 20. In a big conference game against Akron, Nicole erupted for two goals and three assists, the sixth-highest single-game total in Bulls' history.

Even though this season ended prematurely for Olszewski and the Bulls, the future looks bright. The team finished sixth in the MAC with a 7-5 conference record and lost in the MAC Tournament to the Miami RedHawks, a team that would eventually go on to claim its second consecutive MAC title.

"Our goal is to get to the NCAAs," Nicole said. "Once the spring season begins we are back in business, and that's when the 2002 season starts."

With a leader like Nicole, it looks like the team's goal of a postseason appearance is very realistic. Nicole is a math major, and is studying to become a teacher.

J.J. Gibson

J.J. Gibson, who played his high school ball just down the road from UB, is the football team's most pleasant surprise. After redshirting in 2000, J.J. started off this season as the Bulls' strong safety. Even though J.J. hadn't played safety in high school, he has adapted very well. Gibson is currently second on the team with 95 total tackles.

"I played middle linebacker at Sweet Home, so it was a similar position to strong safety," said Gibson. "You have to know were the ball is at all times."

Out of high school, J.J just knew he wanted to play for the Bulls. "It was UB right away for me," he said. "It was a great opportunity for me to play D-I, and it was close to home."

At Sweet Home, J.J. was an offensive star at running back as well. He set numerous school records, including a six-touchdown performance in a single game. Like Nicole and Alexis, J.J. excelled in another sport. He was named the track team's Most Valuable Player.

J.J. is still in the early stages of his UB career, yet already can reflect on a memorable moment. In the season opener against Rutgers, J.J started, led the team in tackles with 10, and the UB home attendance record was broken. With his team-leading tackles, Gibson became the first freshman since Buffalo has returned to Division I to lead the Bulls in tackles in his very first game.

"That was a great feeling," J.J. said. "It was a great night."

Being redshirted as a freshman really trained J.J. for this season. Even though he couldn't travel with the team and didn't play in any games, he learned the defense and improved his game.

"It's hard when you have to watch your teammates on the sidelines and listen to them on the radio when they go on the road," he said. "But it prepared me for this season."

This season, J.J. broke right into the starting lineup. "I knew I could play, I just needed a chance," he said.

Thanks to J.J., and many other great individual efforts, the Bulls are currently 3-7. Even though this record may seem a little less than mediocre, for a team that is just about to finish its third season since returning to D-I, it's a major accomplishment. The program looks to be headed in the right direction. And if the team consistently gets freshmen like J.J., it can be ready to erupt onto the national scene.

Now, J.J is one of the defensive leaders for the Bulls, and will no doubt be a major contributor for the rest of his stay in Amherst.

As the University at Buffalo's athletic program continues to improve, it is athletes like J.J., Nicole, and Alexis who will attract other student- athletes from around the country to come to UB. These three have very bright futures in Buffalo, and thanks to them, so do the football, volleyball and soccer teams.

- Written by Jason Sarney, UB Athletic Communications Student Intern