2002 Volleyball Preview
August 20, 2002 09:20 AM | General
The 2002 West Virginia volleyball team is ready to compete with the best teams in the BIG EAST conference and establish itself as a dominant squad.
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| Dimitra Havriluk earned team MVP honors last year as a sophomore. |
After a disappointing 2001 campaign, the Mountaineers are ready to show the level of play that they are capable of achieving. Coach Veronica Hammersmith, in her 28th year at the helm of the program, believes her team is up to the challenge.
"We hope the growth and development of the team over the spring will help us reach a new level of enthusiasm and determination, making us a better team in the fall," says Hammersmith. "I would definitely like to see more wins, and we hope to make a greater impact in the conference."
Her assistant coach, Jason Oliver, is also predicting great things to come from the 2002 season."The leadership of the upperclassmen and the enthusiasm of the newcomers will be key ingredients in the success of the season," Oliver says. "If we can put those two things together, we will be able to achieve the goals we have set for ourselves; being more competitive in the conference and earning a tournament bid."
Losing only one senior from last year, the team should enter the season energetic and aggressive.
Rebecca Kosnac, a senior from Conneaut Lake, Pa., will move from the middle hitter spot to the right side. Last season she produced 101 kills for the team, including a career-high 15 against Youngstown State.
Erica Montana, a Delray Beach, Fla., native, is expected to lead in team statistics and take senior leadership responsibility. Last year, she led the team in aces (31) and recorded eight double figure kill matches. With her large amount of playing experience, she should be a very active leader.
Rounding out the senior class is setter Lindsay Speiler.
The Pittsburgh, Pa., native will be very valuable when it comes to blocking and setting. Last season she led the team in hitting (.220), including a career-high .800 against conference rival Syracuse. She will be looked upon to keep the team rolling on offense by setting the pace of the game.
Hammersmith expects her seniors to show leadership qualities on and off the court.
"This is a team that has some experience, but it is still a young team," says Hammersmith. "Becca, Erica and Lindsay’s ability to lead the underclassmen will be extremely important. There is only so much that a coaching staff can do for a team. The rest is up to them and it all starts with the team leaders."
Not to be outdone by the seniors, the junior class is a combination of natural athletic ability and skill.
Outside hitter Dimitra Havriluk concluded her sophomore year with impressive accolades and statistics. Her teammates nominated her as the team’s most valuable player and she led the team in kills (316), digs(339), attempts(862), and recorded 15 double-double matches. She was fifth in the BIG EAST in digs(3.48) and ninth in kills per game (3.70). This season the Newport Beach, Calif., native will move from the right to the left side hitter for the Mountaineers. If she can prove her consistency, Havriluk will be the go-to girl offensively on the court.
Jennifer Hayhurst, a right side hitter from nearby Parkersburg, W.Va., has made vast progress during her career. Just starting to feel comfortable at her position last year, she achieved a career-high hitting percentage .667 against St. Francis (Pa.). Improved consistency and an increase in her level of competitiveness could lead to more playing time this season.
Kristi King will be making a position change in her junior year. The position, libero, is a new addition to the NCAA volleyball rulebook.
Only one player on the team may be designated on the roster before the match as the libero. The libero acts as a defensive specialist, and is required to wear a different colored uniform, can replace any back row player and may not serve, block or attempt to block. The libero may be substituted, but only by the player that she replaced in the back row.
King’s defensive ability and focus make her the perfect candidate to fill the new spot on the team. Last season, as an outside hitter, King was ranked seventh in the BIG EAST in digs per game (3.22). Against Youngstown State, the Phoenix, Ariz. native, had a career high 28 digs.
The sophomore class spent its freshman year making a big impact on the team while receiving valuable playing time. Brandice Studnicka, from Clay Center, Neb., played 101 games as a freshman and led the team in assists (838) with an 8.3 assists per game average. The setter brings energy and optimism to the court and has a knack for getting the ball to the right person at the right time.
Amanda Tranquillo, an outside hitter from Virginville, Pa., also made a contribution, recording seven digs in the Youngstown State win. This year she will play the role of a defensive and serving specialist.
The move of Kosnac to the right side opens the middle hitter position for Alison Zemanski. The Perrysville, Ohio, native saw a lot of playing time as a freshman, improving both her blocking and offensive play. Zemanski was second on the team in blocks (50) and fifth on the team in digs (138). She is expected to make an impact this season when the Mountaineers are on offense.
Three redshirt players hope to make an impact as well. Sophomore Amanda Dawson, a transfer from Winthrop, is expected to be a force this season with her athletic play on defense. Redshirt freshman Jeanna Bellen is a strong middle blocker who hopes to compete for playing time this fall. Lastly, redshirt freshman Stephanie Zolna is an outside hitter from Mission Viejo, Calif., who is expected to be an offense threat for the Mountaineers.
Hammersmith also has high praises for the newcomers to the program. Kelly Mullins of Scottsdale, Ariz., comes from a very strong program and is expected to be an outside hitter and defensive specialist. Melissa Zapiain, an Irvine, Calif., native, brings a winning background, a competitive attitude and knowledge of the game.
The coaches expect that once all of the elements are put together that the team will be able to play up to its potential. With a strong senior class and the added depth from the underclassmen, the 2002 West Virginia University volleyball season is expected to be an exciting one, with the hopes of gaining conference respect and dominance.
