LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Lock Haven University volleyball team is looking for big things in 2008 as the Lady Eagles hope to return to the NCAA Championship tournament.

Head coach Tom Justice and his squad will be looking to improve on a 10-18 overall record from a year ago. The Haven went 3-7 in ’07 in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division play.

This season the Lady Eagles move to the Eastern Division after the addition of Mercyhurst and Gannon Universities to the PSAC.

Justice certainly feels that his team has the potential for returning to top form.

One of the biggest strengths in the team noted by Justice is experience. The Lady Eagles have a strong upper-class including three seniors and seven juniors, whom he feels are all really coming into their own, while poised for a strong year.

Along with experience, Justice also feels that team unity might be one his team’s No. 1 strengths, saying the team is cohesive and more together than ever.

Setters:

Juniors Fabiana Gomez (Montevideo, Uruguay/Consejo de. E.S.) and Caroline Acosta (Los Altos, Calif./Los Altos) both return looking to be impact players.

Justice says Gomez is the leader and calls her a very capable player while he calls Acosta a very intelligent player with good ball handling skills.

Gomez had 184 digs a year ago and recorded an attack percentage of .312.

Freshman Jenna Meyer (Pittsburgh/Schenley) will also look to contribute as a setter.

Middle Hitter:

Leading the way at the middle hitter spot is senior Stacey Borgia (Factoryville, Pa./Lackawanna Trail), who is looking to cap of a strong career in memorable fashion.

Last year she hit .303 with 265 total kills, which was second best on the team. She also led the team in blocks with 112.

Justice feels Borgia has the potential to emerge as one the best middle’s in the conference and region this season. He says she hits and blocks well and he is counting on her for big things.

Kim Windstein (McMurray, Pa./Peters Township) is also looking to make her mark as a middle. Justice is looking for big things from Windstein, who is coming off a redshirt season.

Suzanne Carrieri (Warrington, Pa./Central Bucks), a junior also brings solid experience to the position and is more confident than ever according Justice.

Outside Hitter:

Juliana Nascimento (Guarulhos, Brazil/Seward County Community College) is one of three seniors on the roster and is looking to be impact player this season from her outside hitter position.

Justice calls Nasimento strong and athletic, saying says she brings with her the full package and is looking for her to a have strong year.

Junior Christina Laury (Horsham, Pa./Hatboro-Horsham) is a player that Justice has very high hopes for this season, calling her an outstanding all-around player.

Junior Christie Nauman (Charters Towers, Australia/Gladstone) is a player that Justice is looking to be a major point scorer.

Elizabeth Metzmaier (McMurray, Pa./Peters Township), a junior is also a player that could make a major impact for the Lady Eagles.

Libero/Defensive Specialist:

The Lady Eagles are very strong on defense and will be led by senior Julie Stocklos (Holland, Pa./Council Rock South) and junior Heidi Stine (Hershey, Pa./Lower Dauphin).

Stocklos has tremendous experience and Justice says she is quick, strong and has great range.

Stine is an outstanding passer and digger according to coach Justice, who says both players, will be major keys in The Haven’s success.

A duo of freshman will also be looking to make an immediate impact on the court along with fellow rookie Meyer and they are Haley Gribler (Powell, Ohio/Olentangy-Liberty) and Arlana Roland (Bel Air, Md./Bel Air).

Gribler is a solid outside hitter and plays good defense, while Roland has tremendous versatility and could play anywhere on the court.

The goals for the Lady Eagles are high as Justice feels his team is capable of competing for the conference and region titles.

He also says the team would like to return to the NCAA Championships.

“We missed out last year and the team wants to get back to the Elite 8,” Justice said.

“They want it very badly,” he added.

The Lady Eagles kick off the season tomorrow at the Shepherd University tournament.