2009 PAC Volleyball Preview

BETHANY BISON (5-24 Overall, 2-12 PAC in 2008)

A year after having 10 freshmen among their 14 players, the Bethany volleyball team will once again carry an extremely youthful roster into the season, which will open Sept. 2 with a road match at Franciscan.

While the Bison will have 11 more first-year players on the team in 2009, the difference this season is they are joined by six sophomores and one junior who all gained valuable experience during a 5-24 campaign last year. That record is somewhat deceiving in that seven of BC’s setbacks came in five-set battles that just went against the Bison at the end.

Head coach Courtney Kline is in her third season at the helm and although there isn’t a truly seasoned veteran among her players, she says the returners have stepped up during preseason.

“One of our goals this season is to develop real leaders and without a senior and only one junior, we need sophomores and even freshmen to step up,” said Kline. “But Sarah Olson (the lone junior) has taken charge of team activities and all of the returners have helped set a precedent. The freshmen truly look up to the upperclassmen and they know they can’t slack off even a little in practice or they will be held accountable. I don’t even need to correct as much anymore because the returners do a lot of that for me.

“And I believe a lot of that is why our practices are going so well in the preseason,” said Kline. “They are very competitive because everyone is fighting for time and there are at least two players for every position. The skill level is very similar, so we see changes day-to-day in who is playing better. There has also been a good energy level, mostly coming from the returning players, and it’s contagious, which helps keep everyone going.”

The competition for time starts in the middle of the action, where Kline has a sophomore and freshman competing at setter. Sophomore Megan Hoffman passed out 796 assists last year, eighth-most in Bison single-season history, but she is being pushed by freshman Jessica Zavatchen and the outcome may result in Bethany changing their offense this year.

“Megan and Jessica are fighting it out at setter and bring different things to the table,” said Kline. “They are both very skilled but we’re looking for the better leader. We’re not sure what offense we’re going to run this season, as we may change from one setter to two depending on how they both continue to develop.”

According to Kline, a main key to the year will be how well the defensive specialists play. The returning players include sophomore Tiffany Hoffman, who totaled a team-best 449 digs last year at the libero position, while Sarah Olson finished with 213 digs and 21 aces. Freshmen trying to play their way into action include Katie Kurtz, Emily Mahon, Shannan Orum and Sarah Slagle.

“Our season will depend a lot on what our defense can do,” said Kline. “We’ve been passing pretty well early on and we need to continue to improve because passing will be the key to our success. We have a lot of skill back there, but Tiffany, both Sarahs and Katie have stood out because they are leaving everything out there every practice trying to earn time.”

Bethany brings a stable of outside hitters into the year, including a trio of sophomores. Back after leading the team with 293 kills and earning Honorable Mention All-PAC is Courtney Meadows, while Alyssa Schrecengost, who was second with 213 kills and first with 38 service aces, and Nancy Hitt, who had 31 kills in 17 matches last year, also return. Four newcomers are in the mix for time as well in Taylor Cassidy, Slagle, Kurtz and Mahon.

 “We have a lot of different players competing for time on the outside,” said Kline. “There are some players who also can play other spots, as Taylor can play just about anywhere and Emily and Katie will primarily play defense, so it’s nice to have that kind of depth. But we still need improvement in consistency and defense from the outside. Everyone is progressing very nicely and is very close in skill, so we see different people stepping up every day.”

The right side will be all freshmen for Kline this season, as Cassidy, Bethany Dawson, Lauren Goodwill and Janae McGinnis are having a spirited battle in preseason to get on the floor during the year.

“Lauren is left-handed, so that gives her a little advantage, but we like the potential from the right side so far,” said Kline. “We have a lot of height, some good athleticism and we anticipate a big block on the right side this year, as well as help in balancing our attack.”

One upper class player returns at the middle blocker spot in sophomore Carrie Talkington, who is the top returning player with 53 blocks last year and has developed a great deal from her freshman season according to her coach. In addition, freshmen Meredith Holl, McGinnis and Amanda Rodabaugh have impressed in the early going.

 “I am really pleased with the progress Carrie has made” said Kline. “She has become a different player, more dominating and taken a more verbal leadership role. Meredith is a stronger attacker, Amanda is a better blocker and Janae is solid too, so we may go on a game-to-game basis to see the match-ups with other teams to determine who will play more.”

From the first day she took over the Bethany program, Kline has never set a certain number of wins for a goal and this year is no different. She wants to see improvement and this group begin to build a tradition of expecting to compete and win for the volleyball program, and that will lead to the achievement of their top goal for this year, which is reach the PAC Tournament and compete for a conference crown.

 “Our top goal is to reach the conference playoffs and be a contender for the title, which I believe is very doable,” said Kline. “A lot of PAC teams are in the same boat we are in having to play a lot of younger players. The difference for us is our sophomores played a lot last year in almost a baptism by fire and we’re better for it.

Chatham returns only two starters from 2008, senior outside hitter Alese Underwood and sophomore setter Olivia Hess. Chatham will have to get strong performances from several first year players including outside hitter Melissa Schumacher and Karly Thompson, in order to improve on the 2008 season and compete in the PAC. 

Chatham opens the season by hosting Mount Aloysius College on Tuesday, Sept. 1, for a 7 p.m. match.

GENEVA GOLDEN TORNADOES (20-11 Overall in 2008)

The coaching duo of Wendy Smith and Curt Conser has always been quite a tandem. In 2008, the co-head coaches became the winningest coaching staff in school history and they do so in very impressive fashion. Geneva’s volleyball program had not registered 20 wins in a season since a three-year stint from 2001-03, but that all changed in 2008. With the highest winning percentage of any program on Geneva’s campus last year, the Golden Tornadoes finished the season with an overall mark of 22-11. Geneva also went 13-5 against PAC competition for the second consecutive season.

So the question arises, why the sudden turnaround and 20-win season for the first time in five years? The easy, one-word answer is talent. Geneva’s coaching staff surrounded itself with an abundance of talent with the core of that group returning for another go-round in 2009.

A 22-11 overall record is more easily explained when you take a look at the final PAC statistics from 2008. The Golden Tornadoes are more than well represented in several of the key statistical categories including kills, assists and service aces. Adriane Blake, who will be entering her junior season, put together one of the finest seasons in school history. Blake led the PAC in kills with 3.95 per game and service aces with 0.61 per game while finishing fifth in the conference with 4.75 digs per game. For her efforts, Blake was named a second team NCCAA All-American and received All-Conference coaching honors from the PAC. “Adriane had a great year for us,” said Smith. “She is a special talent and was able to put it all together last year, which is why we are expecting her to be even better this year.”

Blake got support at the net from an even younger player last year. In her freshman campaign, Rachel Kuegler finished second on the team with 2.94 kills per game, which was good enough for sixth best in the conference. Kuegler was also handed All-Conference honors. While Blake and Kuegler got to finish at the net, it was the play of the floor general that made it all come together. Entering her senior season is setter Brandi Snavely who led the PAC in 2008 with 10.51 assists per game. “When Brandi is playing her best, there is nobody in the conference that comes close,” said Conser. “She has a way of taking control of a match and helping our hitters get on a role. She is what makes our offense go.” Like her outside hitting teammates, Snavely was awarded with All-Conference honors and will look to build upon that success in her final collegiate season.

It was the offense that helped Geneva to its first 20-win season in five years. The defense at the net is one area of concern for the Geneva coaching staff. “We need to be more effective at the net on the defensive end of the floor,” said Smith. “Our blocking numbers were not very good and we will certainly make that a priority going into the season.” In fact, Geneva’s blocking numbers were at the bottom of the conference. The Golden Tornadoes averaged only 1.10 blocks per game as a team. The good news is despite not blocking many balls, the back row did its job with a conference best 22.15 digs per game. “We will need to replace Faith (Guerra) as one of our top defensive players,” said Conser. “We have some very solid prospects to step in and contribute, but we will have to see which players step up to the challenge.”

The Geneva volleyball team had one of its most memorable seasons in quite a while in 2008 and the upcoming campaign promises to be more of the same. The Golden Tornadoes will put an explosive team on the floor in hopes of an even better result in 2009.

GROVE CITY WOLVERINES (13-21 Overall, 6-8 PAC in 2008)

Few collegiate volleyball programs can match the long-term success of the Grove City College volleyball program. With 811 all-time wins, 19 conference titles and 13 postseason appearances, the Wolverines have established one of the region’s finest legacies over the past four decades.

This year, a youthful Grove City squad will look to add another chapter to that storied history.

While the 2009 Grove City College volleyball team will have no seniors on the roster, it does not mean that the Wolverines will be thin on experience.

Grove City returns a trio of experienced of juniors and four seasoned sophomores this year as the Wolverines look to return to the top of the Presidents’ Athletic Conference.

Junior libero Kim Budd is a two-year starter and letter-winner who will likely anchor the back row again this season. Budd led Grove City in digs last season and is expected to be an integral part of the Wolverine defense.

Up front, junior co-captains Jodi Barry and Inge Rasmussen both return for their second season as starters.

Barry moved into the starting lineup at the start of the season and finished third on the team in total kills and blocks. She also racked up 350 digs, fourth-best on the squad in 2008.

Rasmussen is a returning All-PAC Honorable Mention selection. In 2008—her first season at Grove City—Rasmussen led Grove City with 71 blocks and 31 aces. She is expected to be a key contributor offensively and defensively again this year.

Four sophomores also return, including one full-time starter and a pair of part-time starters. Sophomore Annie Barry is back for her second season as the Wolverines’ starting setter. She earned a starting spot in preseason camp last season and responded with the sixth-highest single-season assist total in program history.

She also posted a .234 hitting percentage as a rookie and will be a key cog in Grove City’s offensive attack this year.

Sophomore Mary Masincup will challenge for a full-time starting assignment in 2009 after starting part-time in 2008. She appeared in 20 matches last year as a rookie.

Sophomore Anna McCurdy moved into the lineup during the second half of the season after recovering from a preseason injury. She ultimately finished third on the team in kills average and will compete for a full-time starting spot this year.

Second-year performer Liz Jones saw action as a reserve last year and is also looking to break into the rotation in 2009.

Grove City will open the season Sept. 4-5 at the Ohio Wesleyan University Bishop Invitational. The Wolverines will also compete in the Penn State-Behrend Tournament Sept. 11-12 in Erie.

Presidents’ Athletic Conference play begins Sept. 16 against visiting Bethany. The home opener is the first of 10 home matches for Grove City this fall.

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

The top six squads in the PAC qualify for the season-ending conference tournament. The PAC Championship Tournament will be held Nov. 3-7.

SAINT VINCENT BEARCATS (25-7 Overall in 2008)

In the midst of its most successful stretch in program history, the Saint Vincent College (SVC) women’s volleyball team has high expectations for the 2009 campaign.

The Lady Bearcats, coached by Sue Hozak, finished 25-7 a season ago—ending the year with a 10-match winning streak—to run their record to an astounding 125-36 over the past five seasons, and the squad captured ECAC championships in both 2006 and 2007.

Though the squad has lost three starters from last season, prospects are again bright for the 2009 campaign, with a veteran-laden core of returnees and a talented recruiting class.

The team’s front line will again look to be led by 6-1 junior Diana Petrovich. Petrovich has started all 66 matches over the past two seasons, and earned PAC all-conference Coaches Honors in 2008 after averaging 3.26 kills and 1.61 digs per set, while adding 71 blocks.  She led the squad in kills in 26 different matches a season ago, highlighted by a 27 kill performance against Westminster on Oct. 2, tying the team’s single-match record.

The SVC front line is arguably its deepest position, as Petrovich looks to be joined by a number of talented veteran players.

Rachel Pace, a 5-10 middle hitter, started all 32 matches in 2008, and performed well in her first year as a starter, averaging 1.1 kills per set while finishing third on the squad with 61 blocks.

Sophomore Natalie Hozak missed the entire 2008 campaign due to injury suffered in preseason camp, but looks to be fully recovered and hopes to repeat her performance from her freshman campaign in 2007, when she earned all-conference PAC Coaches Honors. Solid on both sides of the ball, she started all 33 matches, ending with an average of 2.83 kills and a team-high mark of 4.76 digs per set. One of the hardest hitters on the squad, Hozak also arguably the team’s most versatile player, as she is experienced at setter and defensive specialist in addition to the outside and middle hitter spots.

Erin Perry, one of only two seniors on the 2009 roster, gives the Lady Bearcats yet another experienced outside hitter.  She has seen time in 56 matches over her three-year career, and in 2008, her first season as a full-time starter, she averaged 1.76 digs while posting 21 kills.

Sophomore Taylor Guido was arguably among the top freshmen players in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference a season ago, and will once again be looked upon as vital on both sides of the ball for the Lady Bearcats.

In 2008, the 5-8 Guido finished second on the squad with an average of 3.56 digs, while also averaging 2.21 kills and adding 24 service aces. Like Hozak, Guido is another athletic, versatile player, equally adept on both offense and defense.

Guido’s classmate, Dawn Timko, saw her role continually increase in 2008, when she saw time at both outside and middle hitter. In 24 matches, the 5-11 Timko played well beyond her years, averaging 1.55 kills to go with a total of 25 blocks, and should have a bright future in the green and gold.

Six-foot Ashlee Cowles performed well in limited action at the middle hitter spot in 2008, posting five kills in seven attempts while adding five blocks, and the athletic, hard-working sophomore will battle for an increased role up front for SVC in 2009.

Sophomore Stephanie Bowes sat out the 2008 campaign for the Lady Bearcats, but appeared in six matches as a freshman at the outside hitter spot in 2007, posting 13 digs, and looks to fight for a spot in the rotation in 2009. 

Devin McGrath enters her freshman campaign at Saint Vincent after a stellar four-year career at Our Lady of Sacred Heart High School (O.L.S.H.) in suburban Pittsburgh.  The 5-9 middle hitter was a two-time All-WPIAL and All-State performer at O.L.S.H., and was also named West Athlete of the Year by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 

The Saint Vincent defense will be anchored by senior libero Christa Calgaro.  The 5-7 Calgaro made the seamless transition to defense two years ago after spending her first season at SVC at outside hitter, and she has blossomed into one of the top defensive specialists in the PAC.

Last season, she led the Lady Bearcats with an average of 3.78 digs per set, totaling double-digits in digs in 19 separate matches. She also led SVC, and finished fourth in the PAC, with 43 service aces.

Sophomore Briana Butterworth saw plenty of action in her first campaign in an SVC uniform in 2008, appearing in 31 matches and averaging 2.0 digs per set. Also solid on the serve, she was one of six Lady Bearcats to tally at least 20 aces, finishing with 24. 

The setter spot is the most tradition-rich position at Saint Vincent, as the Lady Bearcats have seen nearly every setter in the program’s 25-year history earn all-conference recognition.  Unlike the middle/outside hitter and defensive specialist spots, however, the setter spot is one without a returnee in 2009.

Five-ten freshman Jessica Covelli looks to get first crack at the position in her first season in the green and gold. The quick and athletic Covelli enjoyed a solid four-year career at Fox Chapel High School in suburban Pittsburgh, where she was a three-year starter and two-time All-Section and All-WPIAL selection. 

In the team’s final season as a provisional member of NCAA Division-III, the Lady Bearcats will face a competitive schedule, both in-conference and out-of-conference. 

THIEL TOMCATS (14-18 Overall, 8-7 PAC in 2008)

Over the past few seasons there has been mounting evidence that the Thiel College women’s volleyball program had a very bright future ahead of it. Judging by the improvements it has made, it appears that the future is now.

There is a growing confidence and momentum in Beeghly Gymnasium. As fourth-year coach Steve Brewer and a young-but-experienced squad embark on the 2009 campaign, expectations are high that the Tomcats will claw their way into the upper ranks of the Presidents’ Athletic Conference.

Last year the Tomcats finished 14-18 overall, while posting a winning conference record of eight wins versus seven losses. Their in-conference success merited them a fourth-seeded berth and home game in the first round of the PAC tournament.

Those achievements were early steps toward bigger things to come, says Brewer.

“The 2008-2009 season was the best season this program has had in decades,” he said. “And it was a season of firsts. Both on and off the court we were a success.

“Last year was the first time we hosted a playoff match. It was the first time we had three players voted to the all-conference teams. It was the first time we traveled and competed internationally. And, it was the first time we won the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award.”

Eleven letter-winners return for the Tomcats. Among them are All-PAC performers: first teamer Abby Kiger, a senior outside hitter; as well as honorable mentions Megan Kay, a sophomore outside hitter; and junior libero Stephanie Shipley.

“Abbey Kiger is going into her senior season having broken almost every team offensive record,” said Brewer. “She also led the PAC in kills last season with 453. Abbey is a leader on the court and we look to her to set the pace for each match this season.”

Kay gained valuable experience in her freshman season, and Brewer expects her to emerge as force as threat on the outside. Shipley led the team in digs, averaging over five per set; and finished near the top of the conference in that category as well. Junior Danielle Dwyer, and sophomore Jill Spino also add significant experience and depth to the defensive specialist/libero position.

Junior setter Madison Chylik is the team’s captain and is described by Brewer as “one of the conference’s most underrated players. She is a true leader. I look for (her) to make a big impact this season; both in the conference and for the team.”

While last season’s marks were significant steps forward for the program, Brewer feels that injuries may have held the Tomcats back somewhat. This season, however, a healthy fleet of returning players with experience will produce greater results.

“Last season our middles and right sides did an admirable job considering an injury-riddled season,” he said.

Among the returners are juniors Cyndi and Joy Metzler, outside and middle hitters, respectively; sophomore middle hitter Chelsi Clark; and sophomore outside hitter Sara Weikart.

“With valuable experience gained from last season,” Brewer said, “this is a group of players that has shown great improvement.”

Along with returning veterans, Brewer is excited about his incoming freshman class, which includes Megg Andrews, Kelly Barzak, Britney Brown, Alyssa Chine, Chelsea Meister, and Ashely Donnelly.

“We have an amazing class coming in this fall,” he said. “They are all talented, smart, and athletic. We expect them to make practices much more competitive and to compete for starting positions immediately.”

This enviable blend of experience, youth, and a strong freshman class should make the Tomcats a force to be reckoned with in the conference for both this and future seasons. Brewer is confident that greater success is just around the corner.

“Thiel is poised to take something it has never had,” said Brewer, “a conference title.

That’s exactly our expectation going into this season. Going into my fourth season at Thiel, we have the leadership needed to set such a lofty goal for the team.”

THOMAS MORE SAINTS (28-7 Overall, 11-3 PAC in 2008)

Second-year Thomas More College head volleyball coach John Spinney will look to find the fountain of youth during the 2009 as he returns six players from last season’s squad that advanced to the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) championship match. Returning will be one junior and five sophomores to go along with nine newcomers.

Despite the small number of returners, Spinney is excited about this year’s squad.

“I think this team has more potential that last year’s,” said Spinney. “We might be only returning six players, but they are six very good athletes.”

Even though Spinney only returns six players, four of them have earned All-PAC honors while at Thomas More. Junior outside hitter Lindsay Svec is the most seasoned veteran for the Saints. She was named first team All-PAC in 2007 after her freshman season and then last season was second on the team in kills with 278 and also had 187 digs and 36 blocks. Another top returner is last season’s honorable mention All-Central Region, PAC Freshman of the Year and first team All-PAC selection sophomore Michelle Clifford. She appeared in 122 sets last season for the Saints notching a conference-high 1,269 set assists and also had 36 aces, 109 kills and 295 digs.

The other 2008 All-PAC selections returning this season are sophomore middle blocker Katie Sullivan and sophomore defensive specialist Emily Bohman. Sullivan was named second team All-PAC after she led the team in hitting with a .305 percentage and had 243 kills and also had a team-high 65 total blocks to go with 44 digs and 11 assists. Bohman earned honorable mention as she had a team-high 592 digs and 44 service aces and was also second on the team in assists with 40.

Also returning for last season’s team are sophomore defensive specialist/outside hitter Tara Enzweiler and outside hitter Katelyn Cravenor. Enzweiler played in 101 sets in 2008 and had nine kills, 20 service aces and 285 digs. Cravenor appeared in 70 sets last season and recorded 10 kills, 149 digs and 12 service aces.

The newcomers joining the Saints this season are sophomores outside hitter Brandi Corbello, middle hitter/right side Colleen Meyers and outside hitter/defensive specialist Allison Stark along with freshmen setter Stephanie Bailey, defensive specialist Danielle Beckenhaupt, outside hitter Hanna Lietz outside hitter/right side Aimee Ryan, defensive specialist Laura Svec and setter Sam Young.

“Hopefully the newcomers can get seasoned in a hurry,” said Spinney. “They have significant club and high school experience, so I don’t think they will be overwhelmed.”

Spinney has put together of the toughest schedules in Division III as they will play a double round robin PAC schedule and then will play nine teams in the Top-25, including two of the top three teams from last season. “We’re going to be up against it this season,” said Spinney.  “I would rather play in a dog fight and lose, then get easy wins.”

The Saints open the 2009 season on Sept. 4-5 when they play in the Ohio Northern University Invitational in Ada, Ohio. At Ohio Northern, the Saints will play four traditional powers; Southwestern (Texas) University, Calvin (Mich.) College, Heidelberg (Ohio) University and Ohio Northern. The Saints’ home and PAC opener will be on Sept. 12 when they host Waynesburg University and Chatham University in a PAC tri-match at the Connor Convocation Center in Crestview Hills, Ky.

WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON PRESIDENTS (17-15 Overall, 10-4 PAC in 2008)

The Washington & Jefferson College volleyball team, led by seventh-year head coach Fred Wallace, enters the 2009 campaign as an experienced and hungry squad, losing only one player to graduation.

After finishing the 2008 season with a17-15 overall record, the Presidents are eager to get back to the Henry Memorial Center and begin preparing for what is expected to be a successful 2009 season.

The Red and Black returns six seniors, including two time All-PAC honorees Monika Linden and Samantha Butler. Nellica Davis, Anna Miskis-Neilson, Stephanie Lucsko and Erin Ponter round of the list of seniors for the 2009 squad.

Linden led the Presidents in nearly every offensive category a year ago, including kills (297), kills per set (2.56), total attempts (709) and service aces (63). The three-year starter will once again lead the offensive attack for the Red and Black throughout the 2009 season.

Butler returns to the front line for the Presidents after totaling 214 kills and 130 blocks a year ago. Wallace will look for Butler to improve upon her overall production from a year ago, while also assuming a leadership role on the floor.

A strong junior class, led by middle hitter Courtney Sherwin and outside hitter Courtney Holdrieth, creates a lot of options for Wallace, while the duo of Ashley Miller and Mia Serine will again share time at the setter position.

Sherwin finished the 2008 season with 275 kills and a team-best .381 hitting percentage. She also led the team in total blocks with 158 as well as solo blocks with 46. Holdrieth provides versatility on the floor for the Presidents as she amassed 210 kills and 303 digs a year ago.

Miller and Serine split setter duties early on last season, but Serine took over the position after Miller suffered a season-ending injury. Serine went on to dish out a team-leading 867 assist (7.67 per game), while also amassing 195 digs.

Davis, Miskis-Neilson and Ponter will spearhead the 2009 defense. The trio combined for 774 digs last season, while Davis and Miskis-Neilson also proved solid from the service line, recording 23 and 31 aces, respectively. Sophomores Tessa Slifka and Alyssa Vukson received valuable experience on the floor as freshmen and will be asked to continue their progression this fall.

WAYNESBURG YELLOW JACKETS (11-20 Overall, 6-8 PAC in 2008)
The 2009 Waynesburg volleyball season will feature plenty of new faces as they look to build on last year’s win in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) tournament, which came after an 11-20 season. The Yellow Jackets posted a 6-8 PAC record, which tied them for fifth in the conference.

However, five starters from last year, including PAC Player of the Year Laurie Lindner and All-PAC picks Amanda Staudt and Amanda Jo Morgan, are gone. With that in mind, head coach Stephanie Benkowski, who enters her fifth year with the Jackets, will be looking towards a large and talented freshman class to fill some starting spots.

One of Benkowski’s biggest losses will come at middle hitter where Morgan, a three-year starter for Waynesburg and a two-time All-PAC pick, racked up over 400 college blocks and was one of the team’s top leaders.

There will be several youthful players looking to fill Morgan’s shoes, and her 128 blocks from last season, including sophomore Jenna Stoltzfus, who finished second on the team with 0.41 blocks per set and is the team’s leading returning blocker with 23 total stuffed shots.

Stoltzfus is expected to be pushed by freshman Bri Matthews and junior Katie Balzer. Both players bring plenty of height to the position, as they are each listed at 5-10.

Like middle hitter, the outside hitter spot took a major hit for Waynesburg with Lindner’s graduation. While the four-year all-conference honoree will stay with the team as an assistant coach, replacing her unbelievable production over the last four years will be a tall task.

One positive for Benkowski is there are plenty of candidates for the job, which should create some heated competition for starting time. Sophomores Jordan Barton and Carly Schubert, who averaged 0.55 and 0.51 kills per set, respectively, are expected to be among the leaders for the starting job, along with freshman Presley Cupp.

However, there could be a wildcard for the position in senior Jenna Heaston, who missed all of 2008 with a foot injury after spending two years with the team. Also, Balzer ranks as the top returning player on the team in terms of kills per set (1.46).

The right side hitter position is another spot on the court that loses a senior starter from 2008 in Lindsey Garrison, who played in 27 matches last season. 

However, unlike the other positions that have been mentioned, the Jackets have another senior in line to take the starting spot in Amber Wallack, who saw action in 13 matches. She averaged 0.91 kills per set.

Freshman Courtney Frain also brings high school experience at the position and should provide competition for Wallack.

All-PAC honorable mention selection Amanda Staudt must be replaced at the setter spot after she ranked fifth in the conference in assists per set (8.5) and total assists 994.

While Staudt won’t be easily replaced, the setter spot may have the most young depth and talent of the entire roster.

Freshmen Carly Smithyman and Madison Sano both bring impressive high school resumes to compete for the job. Sano brings hers all the way from the state of California to the Waynesburg campus.

As far as returning talent, sophomore Krysta Stanko returns after ranking second on the team in assists per set (3.75) in 2008.

While most of the team’s starting lineup is in question going into this season, there’s no doubt who will be handling the starting libero spot, as junior Rachell Storm is back after being named second-team All-PAC.

Last year, Storm averaged a PAC-best 5.83 digs per set, which also ranked her No. 20 in Division III. Her 641 total digs also ranked first in the conference.

“She’s the returner with the most playing experience on the team,” Benkowski said. “Since day one, she has been a starter on the team. She has been a leader on the team as well. She’s going to be a huge contributor, despite being just a junior.”

As of right now, there isn’t much depth behind Storm, but that is expected to fill out once the 2009 season gets underway.

Waynesburg opens up the 2009 campaign on Sept. 1, when they head to Frostburg State to take on the Bobcats. The home portion of the Yellow Jackets’ schedule begins on Sept. 9, when they host La Roche.

WESTMINSTER TITANS (24-11 Overall, 13-1 PAC in 2008)
By the looks of its success the last two years, the Westminster College volleyball team seems to have winning down to a science. But there's another science that is pertinent to the Titans as they enter the 2009 season, and that is chemistry.

"The team has great chemistry," says 17th-year head coach Tammy Swearingen. "Chemistry carries a team just as far as talent."

In each of the last two seasons, Westminster has won the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) Championship and qualified for the NCAA Division III Tournament. There are three starters returning from the 2008 team that went 24-11, the program's fifth straight season with 19 or more wins. The Titans have also posted identical 13-1 records in PAC matches in 2007 and 2008.

Though only six of 12 letter-winners are back from last year, Swearingen is impressed with the diligence of the returning players.

"The returning group is more cohesive and driven," Swearingen. "It's some of the best team chemistry in a long time."

Swearingen acknowledges that winning the team's third straight PAC title—and the fourth since the Titans joined the PAC in 2002—will be a tall order given the departures from 2008.

"It means a great deal to the program to once again have our sights set on the PAC title and the NCAA Tournament," Swearingen says. "It is going to be a much larger hurdle, but we are capable."

The three returning starters include sophomore middle blocker Lindsay Speidel, a second-team all-PAC selection in 2008. Speidel ranked second in the PAC with a .342 hitting percentage last year, while her 2.31 kills per set and 0.79 blocks per set ranked second on the team.

The one senior back in 2009 is outside hitter Sam Botzum, a two-year starter and three-year letter-winner. Botzum ranked ninth in the PAC with 2.65 kills per set in 2008, giving her a 2.79 average for her career.

"Sam is a quiet, blue-collared worker," Swearingen says. "We've had other players who hit the ball harder, but she just doesn't make a lot of mistakes. She's not flashy or a big gun; she's just solid."

The most veteran Titan in the lineup, Botzum has garnered a unique reputation amongst her teammates.

"She's like the wise, old grandma," Swearingen says. "She doesn't get rattled. There are no big ups or downs with her."

Completing the three returning starters is sophomore setter Jessie Szakacs, who averaged 3.92 assists per set in 2008.

Including Speidel and Szakacs, Westminster has a strong group of sophomores when you add middle blocker Kaci Batzel, outside hitter Tara Ott, and defensive specialist Tamber Schaef, all returning letter-winners from 2008.

The team's defense will be the focus as it enters 2009. The Titans lost Hannah Parker and Kylene Hoch to graduation. Parker and Hoch rank first and third in school history with 2,285 and 1,635 career digs, respectively.

"The main concern is our defensive with losing the best two defensive players in the history of our program," Swearingen adds. "We still have the same expectation of being a contender for the PAC Championship."

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