2008 PAC Volleyball Preview

BETHANY BISON (8-22 Overall, 2-12 PAC in 2007)
With 11 freshmen on this year’s team, the Bethany College volleyball team will have a far different look in its second year under head coach Courtney Kline. The Bison open the season Sept. 3 with a match at LaRoche (Pa.) College.

Bethany finished 8-22 last year in their inaugural campaign under Kline, who hit the recruiting trail hard to bring in the 11 newcomers. Not only is it a large group in terms of numbers, but it’s also a tall class, with nine standing at 5’8” or taller. By comparison, of the eight returning players, only two stand above 5’8”. With the roster being the biggest Kline has worked with in her entire coaching career, it’s a different, albeit very good, opening for camp.

“I don’t have words to describe how good this is,” said Kline. “With Molly (Klink) here as an assistant, this is the perfect roster size. I was a little concerned at first about the range of skill of level we might have, but after the first couple practices, I am thrilled with how everyone has come in ready to play and been very impressed with our aggression, communication and team spirit.”

Although the Bison return eight players from last year, the freshmen will be given opportunities to earn playing time in their first year, which will lead to a lot of fun practices, according to Kline.

“We are going to have a very competitive camp,” said Kline. “We now have at least three players per position, with upperclassmen and freshmen fighting it out. There is always going to be someone on your heels, ready to play, so it should make for some incredible practices. The best players will play and the girls all know that.”

One spot where the Bison will turn to a freshman immediately is at setter. Talented newcomer Megan Hoffman will step right into that role for Kline, while sophomore Lindsay Olson, who had 55 digs and was fourth on the squad with 25 aces, will push for time at a couple different positions.

“Megan will take immediate action running our offense and stepping into a leadership role,” said Kline. “Although very young, Megan is a skilled athlete who plays with heart and determination. She is a quiet leader, and I believe with time, will demand 100% from her teammates. Lindsay will take on the role as back up setter, and also possibly see time as a serving and defensive specialist.”

The Bison’s infusion of size will be truly felt among the middle blockers. Senior Sumer Scott, who had 103 kills and was second on the team with 31 blocks, is the top returner. Three freshmen will be looking to make their mark in the middle as well, including 5’10” Carrie Talkington, 6’0” Emily Tevis and 6’0” Sue Grande.

“Sumer improved tremendously last season and she will see time in the middle,” said Kline. “Carrie has a lot of raw, natural ability and will be worked very hard to get her where we need her to be, but she’ll definitely see time. Emily and Sue both have nice size and execute their blocks well. Sue could also see time in the middle or on the right-side.”

The Bison’s group of outside hitters will have to step up to replace Lauren Spegal, who graduated after finishing her career with a Bethany-record 1,289 career kills. To take over for her, Kline will turn to sophomore Emily Stewart, who was second behind Spegal with 257 kills last year, and three freshmen, including Cami Meadows, Alyssa Schrecengost and Tiffany Hoffman, twin sister of Megan.

“Emily has worked hard and improved her vertical over the summer through our jumping program,” said Kline. “Cami is an extremely talented overall player with a very powerful swing, is a strong passer and good defensive player. Alyssa has impressed me as a hard worker who hits strong and has a very aggressive serve too. Tiffany is a great passer who moves well. We’ll look for her to get time in the front row and possibly as a defensive specialist/libero.”

The right side is a crowded group with four new faces. Two freshmen who have played well early on are Kristen Woge and Tracey Hall, while two others, Nancy Hitt and Mallory McKnight have been hampered by injuries early in camp.

“Among the right-side hitters, Kristen is very strong and I’ve been extremely impressed with her because she came to camp 100 percent ready,” said Kline. “Tracey did play in the middle but is very natural for the right side and is a hard hitter. We haven’t had a chance to see Nancy or Mallory yet because of injuries, but they were talented high school players and we are anxious to get them on the court here and see what they can do.”

The Bison’s libero position has two returning players battling for time, as well as one first-year player in sophomore Kaelin Creange, who did not play in 2007. Junior Rachael Dunham brought up 298 digs last year to rank second on the team, while sophomore Sarah Olson was third on the team with 253 digs last season as a defensive specialist.

“It should be a good competition for the libero position,” said Kline. “Rachael does a good job of getting to loose balls and keeping it in play, Sarah is a good passer, as well as a strong serve receiver and Kaelin didn’t play last year and is a little rusty right now, but she improves every practice and is in good physical condition.”

With so many fresh players this fall, there is renewed excitement about where the Bethany volleyball program is going. And while Kline is anxious for the season to get here to see what the Bison will look like, she doesn’t want to think in terms of wins and losses for the upcoming year.

“We are in such a better position than we were last year at this time because of having so many players and so much more depth,” said Kline. “But just like last year, I don’t believe in trying to predict how many wins we could get. We believe we will be better this year, but we have to stay focused on getting better every day in practice and carrying that over to the games.”

CHATHAM COUGARS (1-27 Overall, 0-14 PAC in 2007)
The 2008 Chatham University team is looking to rebound from a disappointing 2007 season in which they finished 1-25 overall and 0-12 in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference.  Head coach Frank Stackiewicz begins his first season with the Cougars.

Chatham returns senior middle-hitter Camille Herby (right)  who led the team in kills, service aces, digs and blocks.  In addition to Herby, Chatham will look for strong contributions from four other returning players.  Junior Brittany Coscia will return to the middle hitter position while junior Alese Underwood will fill an outside hitter role.  Junior Erika Juran will move to her natural position of defensive specialist after filling the setter role in 2007.

Chatham opens the season by hosting Franciscan University on Friday, August 29, for a 7:00 match.

GENEVA GOLDEN TORNADOES (17-18 Overall in 2007)
Geneva volleyball has shown a trend in finishing out seasons strong over the past several years.  In 2006, a slow start was met by an 11-3 conference record and a share of the AMC North title.  In 2007, Geneva dropped its first 11 games before winning 15 out of 20 for an overall record of 15-16.  Co-Head Coaches Wendy Smith and Curt Conser have had their fair share of transitions to deal with, but have always managed to find a way to win.  Last season, the Golden Tornadoes lost four All-Conference players, only to be picked up by a pair of newcomers in Adriane Blake and Brandi Snavely.  This year could be an interesting story after only losing one player to graduation.  “We are very excited for this season because there is the chance to build on a team that really came together at the end of last season,” said Smith.  “If we can pick up on where we left off and improve in some areas, this team could be a force to be reckoned with.”

 The excitement for the 2008 season is justified when you look at what the Tornadoes were able to accomplish last season.  Snavely placed in the top five for assists among the PAC leaders.  The true freshman Blake took home a truck load of honors and awards.  It is easy to see why when you take a look at some of the numbers.  Blake was the only freshman in the PAC among the leaders in four separate categories.  Blake finished in second place for kill average, service aces and first in total kills on the season.  Blake also showed how versatile she is as she stood near the top in digs.  Both Blake and Snavely received post season honors within the Presidents’ Athletic Conference.

 “We brought in one of the best recruiting classes in 2007 and we couldn’t have been happier with the performance from our young players, said Conser. “The combination of our seniors, experienced underclassmen, and the new faces coming in could lead to a great season for us.” 

 Geneva is loaded with returning veterans and PAC leaders.  The trio of seniors in Faith Guerra, Elizabeth Fisher and Blair Bruce will lead a talented group of women.  Guerra joined Blake on top of the leader board in service aces for the PAC.  Bruce appeared in every game for Geneva and contributed significantly.  Fisher was third on the team in kills and will be a go to player in the 2008 season.  These veterans are primed to lead the talented underclassmen and come away with a winning season.

 “Our growing pains from last year paid some serious dividends at the end of the season,” said Smith. “We’re hopeful that our young players have grown up quick and we won’t have to dig ourselves out of a hole this year.” 

When you think about what Geneva has been able to do with limited experience and finishing out seasons, a strong start could be the difference in 2008.  Heading into a tough PAC schedule, the Golden Tornadoes have a proverbial chip on their shoulders and something to prove.  The team that will take the floor in 2008 knows what it takes to win and they are finally ready to show it.

GROVE CITY WOLVERINES (20-12 Overall, 9-5 PAC in 2007)
At first glance, the 2008 season would appear to be a rebuilding year for the Grove City College volleyball team. After all, the Wolverines graduated five seniors and return just one upperclassman from last year’s 20-12 squad.

But closer inspection reveals something entirely different. While Grove City will be an extremely young squad this fall, the Wolverines are also well-stocked in terms of talent. Senior Natalie Liberati (right) will be joined by a six-player sophomore class this season as Grove City prepares to challenge for the Presidents’ Athletic Conference title and a postseason berth, as well as the Wolverines’ third straight 20-win season.

Liberati is Grove City’s lone returning full-time starter. As a junior, Liberati led Grove City in both kills and blocks and earned First Team All-PAC at middle hitter. She will be counted on for offensive and defensive production once again this season.

Several sophomores are also expected to compete for time up front. Sophomore Jodi Barry emerged during her freshman season and has an inside track to start in 2008.

Sophomore Jenna Liberati will battle for a starting assignment at middle hitter this year while classmate Becky Chapa is in the mix on the outside. Both saw limited action in 2007.

The Wolverines will also be bolstered by sophomore Inge Rasmussen. The 6-foot Rasmussen joined the program after spending the 2007 season at the University of Maryland. She will likely be a key contributor in the middle this season.

Sophomore Kim Budd returns in the back row after a strong freshman season. Budd led Grove City's rookies in games played and digs last season. She is a leading candidate to fill the vacant libero position. Sophomore Brittany Young will also challenge for time in the back row this season after seeing limited action in 2007.

Grove City will also likely receive contributions from a sizeable freshman class. The Wolverines must find replacements for graduated setter Kim Walsh, the program’s all-time assists leader, along with six other departed letterwinners.

Grove City will face a rugged schedule once again in 2008. The Wolverines will open the season Aug. 29-30 by competing in Marietta College’s River City Tournament.

Grove City will also participate in tournaments at Ohio Wesleyan (Sept. 5-6) and Westminster (Sept. 12-13) this fall.

The Wolverines will open the home schedule Sept. 9 against Penn State Behrend. Presidents’ Athletic Conference play will begin Sept. 20 with a home tri-match against Waynesburg and Washington & Jefferson. The season-ending PAC Championship Tournament will be held Nov. 4-8.

For the second straight year, the PAC Championship Tournament champion will receive an automatic invitation to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.

SAINT VINCENT BEARCATS (23-9 Overall in 2007)

Despite losing four starters from a season ago, Lady Bearcat head coach Sue Hozak still has high hopes for her 2008 squad.

"This year's expectations are what they always are," she said. "We aim to play for a championship in November."

The Lady Bearcats are coming off of their most successful run in school history, as they have combined to go 80-19 over the past three seasons, and captured the last two ECAC Division-II championships.

For SVC to continue to play at such a high level, a number of new faces will be asked to contribute.

The biggest loss from a season ago was that of setter Kristin Hozak. She led the PAC in assists in each of the past two seasons, and graduated as the school's all-time leader. In addition to her 13.6 assists per game in 2007, she added 92 service aces and an average of 3.34 digs per game.

Sophomore Steffani Huff and freshman Kelsie Bumbarger will vie for the setter spot this season. Despite missing the majority of last season due to injury, Huff played well when called upon, averaging 7.25 assists in four contests. Bumbarger enjoyed a very successful high school career, as she graduated from Altoona HS as the school's all-time leader in assists en-route to being twice named both all-district and all-conference.

"This is the first time in eight years in which we won't have a true upperclassman at the setter position," said Coach Hozak. "But, both Stef and Kelsie have strong backgrounds at the position."

On the front line, the Lady Bearcats return starters Lauren Paddick, Anna Wasik, and Diana Petrovich. Paddick has seen her role increase in each of her first three seasons in the SVC uniform, highlighted by a junior campaign in which she led the squad with an average of 0.97 blocks while adding 2.18 kills. Wasik, another senior, has proven to be one of the hardest hitters in the PAC, and averaged 0.80 blocks and 2.07 kills as a junior. Petrovich, a sophomore, had a very impressive freshman campaign, averaging 2.64 kills while leading the PAC with a .325 hitting percentage.

Junior Erin Perry has also seen extensive time at outside hitter over her career, and will looked upon to provide both depth and leadership to the young squad, as will athletic sophomore Rachel Pace.

Defensively, SVC returns specialists Christa Calgaro and Alyssa Dye. Calgaro, who has also seen time on the front line, averaged just under three digs per game as a sophomore in 2007 while adding 31 service aces. The sophomore Dye played well as a freshman, seeing her role continually increase and finishing the season with an average of 2.34 digs. Senior Katie Chirdon, one of only three four-year players on the roster, will also see time on defense, and should serve as a valued team leader.

In addition to the strong core of returnees, Coach Hozak is quite satisfied from what she's seen of her freshman class.

"I'm very excited about our freshmen," she said. "We have six outstanding newcomers, and I'm looking for several to contribute immediately."

Joining Bumbarger will be classmates Taylor Guido, Dawn Timko, Brianna Butterwroth, Lundy Sobek, and Ashlee Cowles.

Gudio, a graduate of Greensburg Salem, and Timko, from Derry Area, were both two-time all-section and All-WPIAL picks at middle hitter, while each earned All-PIAA honors following their senior campaigns. Butterworth, a defensive specialist from Northern Cambria, was a two-time All-District and All-PIAA selection, while she also earned all-tournament honors at the PIAA State Finals in each of the two seasons. Sobek, who can play both outside hitter and defensive specialist, was an all-section pick for Bethel Park HS, while the middle hitter Cowles was a three-year letterwinner and senior all-section selection for Greater Latrobe.

With such a healthy mix of freshmen and upperclassmen, Hozak feels that it is imperative for each of her upperclassmen to take on leadership roles.

"In addition to our seniors," the coach said, "we're going to be looking for additional leadership from Calgaro, Petrovich, Perry, and Natalie Hozak."

While she believes that her team has the talent to be successful on the court, the coach is waiting to see how the team develops its chemistry.

"I believe we have the skill to be as good as we've been in the past," said Coach Hozak. "How quickly we gel as a team will determine how quickly we will see success on the court."

The Lady Bearcats will open up the 2008 campaign this weekend, hosting eight teams at the annual two-day Saint Vincent Bearcat Challenge, beginning at 1pm on Saturday.
 

THIEL TOMCATS (9-26 Overall, 5-9 PAC in 2007)

As Steve Brewer enters his fourth season as head women’s volleyball coach with a cast of talented young athletes, he knows the stakes have risen and the time for improvement is now.  With its all-PAC duo, sophomores Brooke Ziegler and Stephanie Shipley, things are definitely looking up for the young ‘Cats.  Also returning to the fold are juniors Abbey Kiger, Kristen Martin, and Cyndi Metzler.  This trio of upperclassmen will be leaned upon for both their experience and their court play. 

After finishing last season with five wins in the conference and a handful of heartbreakingly close games, Brewer and company see this year as the year they turn the corner and begin to make some noise in the PAC.  With a roster stacked full of young talent and excellent leadership, who could argue?

THOMAS MORE SAINTS (24-11 Overall, 13-1 PAC in 2007)
Expectations are flying high for the Thomas More volleyball team as head coach John Spinney returns for his second stint leading the Saints.

Coming off a tie for the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) regular season championship, Spinney set lofty challenges for his squad that features just three seniors and two juniors. However, two of the three seniors were not on the team last season. He wants to challenge for the PAC title, earn a regional ranking and possible pick up votes for the Top 25.

If the Saints are to achieve their goals, there are two questions that have to answer. The first surrounds the health of junior Leslie Hoelscher and the other has to deal with how the freshman setter, Michelle Clifford, adjusts to the collegiate level.

“We have to stay healthy, get a possible All-American candidate (Hoelscher) healthy and have the ability for a freshman setter to take the team that far,” said Spinney.

Hoelscher, the 2006 PAC freshman of the year and two-time PAC honoree, struggled with injuries last season. However, she was still able to lead the Saints with 82 blocks from her middle blocker position, and was second on the team with 405 kills. When healthy, Hoelscher was a force as the 6-foot junior set the program’s single-season mark for block solos, block assists and total blocks as a freshman. Its possible Hoelscher could not be available at the beginning of the season.

There are a host of candidates to fill in. Senior Sara Fugal brings to most experience to the table. Fugal has improved greatly over her three seasons at TMC, and finished last season with 91 kills and 68 blocks – which was third on the team. Senior Tandrea Sellers steps onto the volleyball court after completing her eligibility with the Saints’ nationally-ranked basketball team. A first-team PAC selection in basketball, Sellers’ athleticism could pose a serious challenge for opposing teams.

Rust, along with freshmen Katie Sullivan and Hillary Monnin, will also battle for playing time in the middle.

Clifford could have the most important task for the Saints as she replaces the program’s all-time assist leader and four-year starter, Valeri Kuhn – who was also the vocal and emotional leader for the Saints. Despite her youth, Spinney holds no qualms in handing over the reigns to a potentially potent offensive attack to Clifford.

“She set four years in one of the toughest conferences in the country (Cincinnati’s Girls Greater Catholic League),” said Spinney.

Clifford will have a plethora of options in diversifying Thomas More’s attack as three player with over 1,000 attacks a season ago return in Hoelscher, junior Kristine Rust and sophomore Lindsay Svec. Sophomore Libby Mulrey recorded 976 attacks last year.

Of the foursome, Svec led the way with 444 kills, hitting .251, en route to first team PAC honors. She was third on the team with 221 digs and added 36 blocks for TMC. Rust, who is a very explosive jumper, added 373 kills, while Mulrey recorded 376 kills for the Saints.

Freshman Emily Bohman could also play herself into the rotation.

If the Saints have one chink in their armor, it could be ball control as the Saints lost their libero, Jenny Schutte, to graduation.

The return of senior Lindsay Webb, who sat out last season, will aid immensely.  Webb recorded 394 digs and 102 kills in 2006 for Thomas More.  Sophomores Tiffany Powell and Julie Hollman, along with freshmen Tara Enzweiler and Katelyn Cravenor will all compete for the opportunity in the back row.

WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON PRESIDENTS (19-12 Overall, 8-6 PAC in 2007)
Gaining experience and leadership will be two of the key issues for Head Coach Fred Wallace as he prepares for his sixth preseason camp with the Washington & Jefferson College volleyball program this August. Returning just one senior, middle hitter Summer Baumgard (right), Wallace is hoping leaders emerge early in the preseason.

W&J looks to bounce back from an injury-plagued 2007 campaign which saw the Presidents post a 19-12 overall record and earn a trip to the ECAC Division III Tournament semifinals. Wallace anticipates a core group of returning players: Baumgard, juniors outside hitter Monika Linden and middle hitter Samantha Butler and sophomores middle hitter Courtney Sherwin and outside hitter Courtney Holdrieth to guide the team during the first half of the schedule. 

Linden leads the returnees in nearly every offensive category.  She averaged 3.01 kills per game in 2007 and amassed 301 kills on the year which was over 100 more than any other President.  

Baumgard battled injuries all season and was limited to only 16 matches.  However, she has proven to be a force when healthy as she averages nearly two kills per game throughout her career.

Holdrieth came on strong towards the end of the season and totaled 167 kills (3rd on team) and 204 digs (4th on team).  Sherwin is an athletic player with a powerful arm who amassed 127 kills and 82 blocks (3rd on team). With the graduation of setter/defensive specialist Emily Yaros, Wallace must look to fill the roll with one of the many young and inexperienced players on the roster. 

Yaros' presence will also be missed on the service front as she led the team with 49 aces last season; however, junior defensive specialist Nellica Davis recorded 36 aces last year and will be counted on to continue that production. Defensively, Davis (563 digs) and Butler (104 blocks) led the team in their respective categories.  Butler was also second on the squad with 190 kills. Juniors Andrea Fletcher, Stephanie Lucsko and Anna Miskis-Neilson provide solid experience and will be looking to fill in for players lost to graduation. 

The defensive unit will ultimately be anchored down by whoever wins the job at the libero position, an opening that Wallace feels could be filled by any one of the defensive specialists.  Davis, Miskis-Neilson, junior Erin Ponter and sophomores Maggie Blicha and Kayla Spridik are all vying for that spot during the preseason.  Wallace will also depend on a host of freshman and sophomores to fill key contributing roles for the Presidents throughout the season.

The Presidents will open the 2008 season on September 6, when they host the "2008 Holiday INNvitational" at the Henry Memorial Center.  The tournament is a two-day, round robin event. 

WAYNESBURG YELLOW JACKETS (10-22 Overall, 6-8 PAC in 2007)
After a one-year hiatus from the Presidents’ Athletic Conference championship tournament in 2006, the Waynesburg University women’s volleyball team got back into the postseason following the 2007 campaign, but were bounced in the first round by Washington and Jefferson.           

This year, with six starters and nine total lettermen back from last year’s 10-22 team that went 6-8 in the PAC, head coach Stephanie Benkowski and the Yellow Jackets feel that they are poised to not only advance to the playoffs for a second-straight season, but push the likes of W&J, Thomas More and defending PAC champion Westminster to the limit.

 Middle Blockers
Senior Amanda Jo Morgan is back in the middle for the Yellow Jackets and is coming off of a stellar senior season. Not only was the 5-11 senior from Perryopolis an honorable mention selection on the All-PAC team, she also ranked second in the conference with a .328 hitting percentage and third in blocks with 1.21 a game.

“Amanda is an awesome blocker,” Benkowski said. “Her hitting percentage is very consistent and she makes very few errors.”

The other middle slot is expected to be filled by sophomore Katie Balzer. Benkowski is also intrigued by the promise of a couple of freshmen at the position. Erica Lippencott, a graduate of nearby Jefferson-Morgan High School, and Octorara grad Jenna Stoltzfus could see some court time in their first season with the team.

Outside Hitters

Just like at middle blocker, Benkowski, who is going into her fourth season with the Waynesburg program, has an experienced and very talented senior at outside hitter in Laurie Lindner.

Last year, the first-team All-PAC pick led the team and finished fourth in the conference with 3.92 kills per game. The 5-7 graduate of Seneca Valley High School also paced the team in service and was second in kills.

While Lindner lost her partner in crime at OH, Ashley Kreinbrook, to graduation, Benkowski has several candidates to pick from to fill the job. Two freshmen, Carly Schubert and Jordan Barton, are both in the running, as is sophomore Rachell Storm, who started as a libero last season. Last season, Storm led the PAC in digs with 6.18 per contest.

Right Side

Senior Lindsey Garrison is back to patrol the right side spot and is yet another experienced veteran for Benkowski to lean on. “She has good hands to be a hitter and can always take care of the ball from the setter,” Benkowski said. “Her offense has progressed.”

Benkowski added that Garrison may have some competition for the job from junior Amber Wallack, a native of Altoona. Freshman Tamra Baldridge, a North Carolina native, could also push for playing time.

Setter

No player on the Waynesburg roster has the amount of experience as their main setter, Amanda Staudt, who enters her fourth year as a starter. The senior from Cochranton, Pa. led the team with 8.13 assists per contest last season.

“She is an outstanding overall player,” Benkowski said. “She is also one of our biggest leaders on the court.”

Freshman Krysta Stanko, who has already impressed Benkowski with her solid hands and leadership possibilities, is among the candidates to also see time at the position.

Libero/Defensive Specialists

Though she was mentioned as a candidate at outside hitter, Storm will at least begin the season at the libero spot, following an injury to sophomore Julie Incerpi. Incerpi is expected to miss around two weeks, but could compete for the position once she is healthy. This could free up Storm to move to outside hitter.

“She can read attackers well and is quick on her feet, Benkowski said of Storm. “She’s an outstanding defender. She’s also good at attacking the ball and keeping it in play.”

Senior Gina Rizzo has shown great improvement since moving to defensive specialist from setter following her freshman campaign. “She goes 150 percent every day at practice,” Benkowski said of Rizzo.

Schedule

With 14 conference games on the schedule and an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III tournament on the line, PAC play is sure to be a battle from start to finish this season. However, despite the challenges that face her team, Benkowski is confident that her team can achieve their lofty goals, as long as a few things go their way.

“We plan on making the playoffs and winning the playoffs. The team’s goal is to win the PACs and we have the team to do it,” Benkowski said. “If we stay healthy and keep working, we can do it.”

While getting back to the top of the conference mountain is the main goal of any team in the PAC every year, Waynesburg has joined with several other conference schools to take on an even more important and devastating opponent.

This season, the Yellow Jackets will take part in “Volley for the Cure” during their match against Saint Vincent College on Thursday, Oct. 23. While Waynesburg volleyball matches are usually free to get in, an entrance fee or donation will be collected at the entrance to the match, with all proceeds going to further Breast Cancer research and prevention.

Waynesburg opens the season at the Saint Vincent Tournament before playing at the Case Western Reserve Tournament in Ohio the second weekend of September.

WESTMINSTER TITANS (23-12 Overall, 13-1 PAC in 2007)
The bar is indeed raised for the Westminster College volleyball team as it enters the 2008 season. The Titans made their first-ever appearance in an NCAA Division III Tournament in 2007 and its first trip of any kind since the Titans qualified for the NAIA National Tournament in 1997. 

Westminster returns five starters and seven letter-winners from a team that posted a 23-12 record and won the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) Championship after posting a league-best record of 13-1 in league matches.

"We have high expectations," said Tammy Swearingen, who enters her 16th season as head coach. "Making the NCAA Tournament made a huge impact on our program." The Titans drew 19th-ranked Hiram in the first round and held considerable leads in each of the first three games, but the Titans were eventually staved off by the Terriers, 3-1. "The team knows they could've had a better showing," said Swearingen, "but I think now that they got that taste they know they can play at this level."

The Titans entered the postseason with a 17-match win streak and winning 20 of their last 21 matches, this after the team was 3-10 and losers of nine out of 10 at one point during the season. However, Swearingen feels this year's team can avoid a slow start.

"We have so many starters returning and with the talented recruits we have coming in we can start faster during camp," Swearingen said.

The five returning starters included first-team all-PAC setter Traci Hassell. Hassell is a senior who transferred to Westminster in 2006 after playing at Division I St. Francis (Pa.). Despite playing two years at Westminster, Hassell is ranked third in team history with 2,620 assists. Returning to the back row are two senior defensive specialists who will also compete for duties as libero. They include Kylene Hoch and Hannah Parker. Hoch is a two-starter who was PAC Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore. Parker is a three-year starter who led the team with 46 service aces and 5.55 digs per game last year. The other two returning starters are junior outside hitters Sam Botzum and Beth Copp. Botzum ranked second on the team and 11th in the PAC with 3.13 kills per game. Copp ranked third on the team with 2.53 kills per game.

Westminster lost PAC Player of the Year Jess Cooper to graduation. That will give an opportunity for senior Reesha Jackson, junior Devin Kelley or one of the talented freshmen to start at middle hitter. Jackson played in 59 games (22 matches) last year and Kelley in 84 games (26 matches).

Swearingen is looking to guide the Titans to their 11th season with 20 or more wins since she took over the program in 1993. Last year was Westminster's 13th season in program history with at least 23 wins. The program boasts a .621 winning percentage (643-392) in 32 years.

###