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Women's Volleyball
2008 Season Preview
Expectations are high for the 2008 edition of the D'Youville College women's volleyball team. Nine players return, five of them starters, from last seasons team that compiled a record of 17-14. This season, a group of talented newcomers will bolster a team that will contend for the North Eastern Athletic Championship and the program's first NCAA tournament berth.
"Our biggest challenge will be ourselves," says new co-head coach Stacy Koslosky, "with a new coaching staff and four new players, we will have to work on our team chemistry. As of now I don’t foresee it being a 'challenge' so much; time will bring us all together."
Koslosky will be share in the head coaching duties with Katherine Shea, also in her first season at D'Youville.
"Coach Shea and I are extremely impressed by the drive of these girls during pre-season. They worked hard during their morning work outs and brought that work ethic to afternoon practice. Their favorite drills in practice are one that test their passion and determination. I have played on several volleyball teams in my day and these girls are proving to be the hardest working volleyball players I have ever come in contact with. They are all willing to learn and they all want to get better individually. I speak for Coach Shea and myself when I say we are very lucky to have such a vibrant and awesome group of girls. Needless to say, we are ALL extremely excited for the season to start!"
Senior Christine Halter (Holley, NY/Kendall) is closing in on the career 1,000-kill mark and has been the team's leading blocker the last three seasons and junior Falicia Golden (Painted Post, NY/C-PP West) was among the NEAC leaders per game in kills (2.66), digs (4.21) and service aces (0.53). Both were All-Conference selections last season. Productivity in the front will also come from Courtney Freeman (Corning, NY/C-PP West), a 2.38 kill per game performer, three-year starter Amy Patterson (Depew, NY/Depew), and second-year player Alicia Edkin (Elmira, NY/Elmira Free Academy).
Newcomers that will have an immediate impact are freshman middle Laura Schwach (Rochester, NY/Churchville Chili), and sophomore outside hitter Rachel Meyers (Ballston Spa, NY/Burnt Hills) who transferred from SUNY Cortland.
"Our glue is junior setter Siblea McFarland (Salamanca, NY/Salamanca) who uses her intelligence and knowledge of the game to run the offense. Siblea is an unusually hard worker and we are depending on her to lead this team to victory- many victories," states Koslosky. Backup setter Johnna Matusik (Arcade, NY/Pioneer) will again be a force as the teams serving specialist.
Defense has been the mantra of past Spartan squads. Last year's team led the North Eastern Athletic Conference in digs per game (22.41 digs per game), and this year's team will be no exception. Freshmen Brittany Yocius (Aliquippa, PA/Hopewell) and Jessica Dunbar (Dunkirk, NY/Dunkirk) will lead the defensive charge. They will be joined by senior Laura Smith (North Tonawanda, NY/North Tonawanda) and sophomore Beth Jackson (Groton, NY/Groton).
" (Brittany) Yocius is breathing new fire into our team. Not only is her defense reliable, but she is constant voice of support for her team members, " says Koslosky.
D'Youville will open the season August 29th and 30th in the College Center Gym by defending their title at the Spartan Invitational. The Spartans will receive challenges from Keuka College and Penn St.-Berks for the NEAC Championship, and play a strong regional schedule that features non-conference rivals Medaille, Hilbert, and Buffalo State.
