For Women’s Volleyball, Balance Is Essential To Success

For Women’s Volleyball, Balance Is Essential To Success

CHICOPEE, MA – With eight players returning from last year’s squad that made an impressive run to the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) tournament championship match, the key for second-year head coach Sheila Gisbrecht and the Elms College Blazers in 2009 is balance.

“I think this season we are more level at all positions,” noted Coach Gisbrecht. “Last year we had a great deal of first-years in positions that they didn’t play in during high school. This season, though responsibilities have been slightly changed, these players have a year of experience under their belt.”

The Blazers closed out the 2008 season having won six of their final nine contests and will look to build on that success at the start of this season.

“Building confidence and leadership abilities in a very young squad will be vital to continue last year’s success,” explained Coach Gisbrecht. “We still have a starter with a great deal of experience in a key setting role, [Kim Phillips]. However, now our sophomores will need to step up to fill the offensive roll left vacant by two graduating seniors, Sashiann Johnson and Jeanette Nunez. Due to our lack of height, this offense will need to be fulfilled through speed and intelligence, rather than raw power.”

In her second season at the helm, Coach Gisbrecht has been able to implement a mid-west brand of volleyball that should catch the opposition off guard.

“With our speed, tenacity, and developing a ‘go-for-broke’ attitude on defense, we will be able to create a great deal of frustration in our opponents. With the teams hard work in the off season we will be able to wear down our opponents.”

Here is a look at how the Blazers will take the court this season.

SETTERS

Senior Kim Phillips (Randolph, MA) enters her fourth season quarterbacking the Blazers’ offensive attack. Phillips, the program’s all-time leader in assists with 1,538, handed out 132 helpers during regular season conference action en route to earning First Team All-NECC honors.

“Kim returns to us in a setter position and as a floor leader,” stated Coach Gisbrecht. “In addition we expect her to fill a role as an offensive threat, which has not been required of her in the past.”

Phillips will get some help running the 6-2 offense as sophomore Jen Rego (Fall River, MA) will spend some time setting as well as hitting from the outside. Last season, Rego provided 33 assists and 29 kills to help pace the Elms offense. With Rego able to step into the setter role, Phillips will be able to hit from the right side, providing an added threat for opponents.

“Jen’s greatest asset is her ability to learn and fill any position,” explained Coach Gisbrecht. “Last year, as an opposite, she was our backup hands, a deceptive attacker and scrappy defender. Having Jen help run the offense will allow us to have three hitters up front at all times.”

OUTSIDE HITTERS

The Blazers will feature a good mix of returners hitting from the outside including sophomore Stacy Croteau (Agawam, MA) who blasted a second-best 155 kills last season to secure a spot on the All-NECC first team.

“Stacy is one of our strongest all around players,” said Coach Gisbrecht. “In addition to being our strongest offensive threat, she is a great defender and blocker. As a key outside hitter she will shoulder a great deal more of our offensive burden.”

Senior Anne Norton (Westfield, MA) will see some action on the outside as will newcomer Christina Martin (Chicopee, MA) while sophomore Annette Dzidek (Chicopee, MA) will hit from the opposite side this season.

MIDDLE HITTERS

With the return of senior middle hitter Melissa Clark (Chicopee, MA) who registered 188 kills and 42 total blocks (29 solo, 13 assisted) in 2007, the Blazers will keep the opposition off balance with an added weapon.

“Melissa returns after a semester abroad and will bring in some extra height and power to our front line,” noted Coach Gisbrecht.

Junior Laura Kulig (Holyoke, MA) and Dzidek will also play a role patrolling the middle.

DEFENSIVE SPECIALISTS

Senior Christie Sevigny (Chicopee, MA), whose 136 digs ranked second on the team, will undertake libero duties for Elms in 2009. Sophomores Marissa Yeager (Dunbarton, NH) and Ana Gonzales (Springfield, MA), will both see action in the back row.

SCHEDULE

Elms will open its 2009 season at the Thomas College Tournament (Sept. 4-5), the first of three non-conference tournaments, before competing against WPI in the squad’s home-opener on Sept. 10.

The Blazers’ slate features a return trip to Schenectady, NY and the Union Invitational (Sept. 18-19), and for the fourth time, will participate in the Seven Sisters Tournament (Oct. 10-11) which includes rivals Vassar and Smith.

Elms will also look to snap an eight-match and 10-match losing skid against local rivals Westfield State (Sept. 15) and Mount Holyoke (Sept. 24) respectively before jumping into conference play.

Elms finished an impressive 6-1 in NECC action, and will take on league foes Newbury, Daniel Webster, Becker, Bay Path, Mitchell, Southern Vermont and Lesley once each.

“The NECC is very young with the top four teams having pretty comparable squads in strength and abilities,” Coach Gisbrecht remarked. “All those teams will be looking to up the ante moving forward with the addition of the automatic qualifier hopefully in place by next season.”

WRAP-UP

With a solid class of four seniors, and a more experienced and balanced squad that features just one freshman, the Blazers are poised to return make a second consecutive run at the NECC Tournament title.

“I believe we are in a strong position to return to the NECC championship game,” stated Coach Gisbrecht. “In addition, our experience with our returners will give the capacity to be more competitive in our non conference schedule.”