Home:
Women's Volleyball
2010 Season Preview
Head coach Melissa Ginnitti begins her first season at the helm with only five returning players from last season’s team that qualified for the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference playoffs. This year’s Spartan roster features eight freshmen.
“The five returning players gained a lot of experience during last season and should be able to provide amble leadership to the new players. We look forward to seeing how quickly our young players adjust from the high school to the college level,” says Ginnitti.
Despite the high number of rookies Ginnitti has high expectations for the season. “Our goal is to eclipse last season’s win total (of ten) and qualify for the AMCC playoffs again.”
The top returning offensive players are just sophomores. Luciana Payne (Buffalo, NY/Mount Saint Mary Academy) had an outstanding rookie season in 2009 averaging 2.25 kills and 0.45 blocks per set. Emily McDonald (North Syracuse, NY/Liverpool) averaged 1.7 kills and 1.4 digs per set last season and was named a team co-captain this season.
The other three returning players will give the Spartans strong defensive play. The team’s lone senior, Beth Jackson (Groton, NY/Groton) has experience at all three back row positions. Third-year player and team co-captain Brittany Yocius (Aliquippa, PA/Hopewell) has averaged four-plus digs per set during her career. Sophomore Larissa Kutzuba (Canastota, NY/Canastota) gained valuable experience in her rookie season.
First-year players Alyssa Sajdak (Rochester, NY/Churchville-Chili) and Kati Kohl (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park) will handle the setting duties. Other first-year players expected to make an impact are libero Lara Svensson (Tonawanda, NY/Sweet Home) and hitters Alyssa Hammell (Rochester, NY/Churchville-Chili), Molly Minkiewicz (West Seneca, NY/West Seneca West), and Jayde Stevens (Lawtons, NY/Gowanda).
D'Youville starts the season September 1st at home against Buffalo State and then hosts the Spartan Invitational September 3-4.
