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 LOCK HAVEN, Pa.
–After two consecutive
conference and regional championships, the No. 24 Lock Haven University
volleyball program is set to continue its recent dominance and more. With a
senior-dominated roster, the 2005 Lady Eagles will look to “three-peat” as
Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) and NCAA Division II Atlantic
Regional Champions.
“With six
seniors on this year’s roster, I expect this season to come from within the
players,” said head coach Tom Justice.
“We will be successful because I think that their experience will pay off.”
Middle
Hitters
With the
return of junior All-American
Li YiZhi (Shanghai,
China)
and the loss of Lilian Bortoto,
the middle hitting ranks will be the key to this season. Li, who led the
NCAA in hitting percentage the past two seasons, is the most balanced player
for the Lady Eagles. As the PSAC West Athlete of the Year, she provides
leadership as the floor general. The team can rely on her to stop the
opposing team’s runs and start a Lock Haven rally at any time.
“Li is very
competitive, and she plays well in pressure situations,” said Justice. “She
plays well in our team concept.”
With the loss
of block-specialist Bortoto, the Lady Eagles will look for two athletes to
step into her spot on the floor. Senior
Meghan Hayes (Manahawkin,
N.J./Southern Regional)
will give the team experience in the middle. Coach Justice will also look
for incoming freshman Stacey Borgia (Factoryville,
Pa./Lackawanna Trail)
to use her quickness and excellent jumping ability for the Haven attack.
Setters
The
setters return the two-headed attack of seniors
Kelly Kostelich (Venetia,
Pa./Peters Township)
and
Allison Furry (Guys
Mills, Pa./Maplewood).
Both setters are coming into their own after three successful seasons on the
squad. The two classmates had 1,249 assists
between them last season.
The coaching staff has confidence in both athletes.
“We are
expecting big things from them,” said Justice. “They truly know what it
takes for the team to win.”
Junior-college transfer Mayumi Ishihara (Hamamatshu
City, Japan/Coffeeville CC)
will add to the depth at this important position. She served as the setter
for Coffeeville Community College in Kansas for the past two seasons.
Outside
Hitters
One of
the strengths in recent years has been the outside hitters for Lock Haven,
and this year is no different. With all five outside hitters returning from
last year’s team, the coaching staff is happy with the senior leadership and
extreme depth at this position.
“We feel that
our strength at the outside hitter position is the different look each girl
gives us and the depth that provides us,” said Justice. “We do not rely on
just one player; we like to use everyone that we have.”
Seniors
Michelle Deehan
(Upper Marlboro, Md./Gwynn Park),
Allison Wade
(Duncansville, Pa./Hollidaysburg Area)
and Jen
Thompson (North
Ridgeville, Ohio/Elyria Catholic)
will see most of
the time for the Lady Eagles. Each player brings a different strength to
the court for the Haven attack, from blocking and serving to cross-court
shooting.
Junior
Maggie Borden (Hanover,
Pa./Delone Catholic) is
a great athlete who continues to improve on the court for Lock Haven.
Senior Kelly
Bebee (Smithtown, N.Y./Smithtown)
brings confidence to the outside position after her move from middle
hitter. Freshman Kirstin Sowers (Wilmington,
Del./John Dickinson)
will learn the system and develop into a good outside hitter in the future.
Opposites
PSAC
West Rookie of the Year and First Team All-Region
Inga Kurgonaite (Kaunas,
Lithuania/Yuozas Urbsys)
returns for her second season. At 6-foot-4, Kurgonatie gives Lock Haven the
ability to block and attack from a high point. Thompson, Bebee and Borden
have all been effective at this position and will probably see time here as
well.
Libero/Defensive
Specialists
Junior
Jenna Crabb
(Elizabethville,
Pa./Upper Dauphin) has
shown great improvement since joining the program. Sophomore
Angela Robison (Julian,
Pa./Bald Eagle Area)
will continue to improve and get stronger with more experience. Both
players will contribute to the total team aspect that the coaching staff
will be looking for. Ishihara may also play this position because of her
excellent ball control skills.
The
Lady Eagles open up their quest for three straight at the Ferris State
University Tournament in Big Rapids, Mich. on Aug. 26. Their first home
match will be against IUP on Sept. 13.
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