Women's Volleyball Preview
8/14/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Women's Volleyball Preview
The 2006 Seton Hall volleyball team looks to build on the success of the 2005 squad. Under the direction of new head coach Kris Zeiter, the team returns a strong core of athletes, led by senior standouts Jessica King and Jessica Pompei. With depth at each position and a strong incoming class, the Pirates are positioned to make an immediate impact in the 2006 season.
“Our goal is to make the BIG EAST playoffs this year. They were really competitive last year, lost a lot of close matches and yet were only a few games out of making the playoffs. The top eight is good goal for us for the first year.”
“I’m excited. It’s the BIG EAST. When you start coaching, this is one of the levels you want to get to. I’m excited to see if I can coach at this level.
Seton Hall enjoyed a successful 2005 season. Although slightly under .500, the team posted the best record since 2003 with a 14-16 mark. King and Meyers were named Seton Hall’s Junior and Co-Freshman Female athletes of the year, respectively. King was also named the BIG EAST Player of the Week, and was a selection to the weekly honor roll twice. Pompei set a single season record in digs and, as a freshman, Britney Rahrer placed third in single season assists. Graduated senior Amber Davis and King were also named to the All-Academic District II team.
The Pirates have two nationally ranked opponents in the schedule, BIG EAST members Louisville and Notre Dame, who each advanced to the NCAA Regionals in 2005. Seton Hall will begin its 2006 season with a variety of fall tournaments at Delaware, Hofstra and Rhode Island and will host its own Seton Hall Invitational on September 8-9.
“I think the first four tournaments we should definitely contend to win,” Zeiter said. “They are competitive, but I think we have one of the top teams in all those tournaments. The BIG EAST schedule is brutal, especially because we are the wildcard this year, always playing twice on the weekends. Playing Notre Dame and playing Louisville will be great: it’s always fun and exciting to play nationally ranked teams. But those two matches won’t be the focus of our season: we need to beat the other teams that are around the same area we are in the BIG EAST.”
The middle blocker position will be a strong suit for the Pirates. Senior King and sophomore Tricia Meyers return as one of the best middle blocker combinations in the conference, as both are very athletic and have great skills. Junior Kristen Denboer will add depth to the position as well.
“Coaching against Jess (King) for the past two years, I have always been impressed with her,” Zeiter said. “She has great size. She was able to play outside last year and middle for two years before that. It shows what a great all-around player she is. She is definitely going to be one of those people we piggyback this year. ”
King has been outstanding for the Pirates at middle blocker for the past three years. She had an excellent junior year, where she led the team in kills (320) and total attacks (805). She was the only Pirate in the 2005 season to be named the BIG EAST Volleyball Player of the Week, and was named to the weekly honor roll twice. Meyers enjoyed an impressive freshman campaign, where she led the squad in kills (309) and is the top returnee in blocks (89).Although Denboer was limited by an injury in 2005, she returns healthy for the 2006 season and will add an extra option to that position. Two freshman will look to make an impact: Melissa Bellomy and Stacy Craighead.
At the outside hitter position, sophomore Brianna Leisner and junior Jennifer Procuniar are the top two returnees. Leisner led the returning outside hitters with 191 kills in 2005, and was second on the team in aces. Procuniar tallied 123 kills in 2005. Junior Kelly Widders and sophomore Megan Baumgarten will add depth to the position, as both gained experience last season and will add depth to the position. The outside hitter position has the most flexibility this season.
“It’s definitely the most wide open spot on our squad,” Zeiter said. “We are going to try and have a lot of competition for the position and let everyone have a shot at it.”
Rahrer returns as the top setter for the Pirates. She had an excellent freshman season and has a great future, showing excellent poise in 2005. She recorded 1248 assists, which ranks third in the single-season records and was second on the team in digs with 255. Sophomore Nicole Moser will support Rahrer.
“Setters always a position that we have a lot of competition,” Zeiter said. “Britney had a great freshman year. She is the early favorite, but we will promote a lot of competition between the two. I’m looking forward to coaching both of them.”
Pompei returns as the libero for Seton Hall. Excellent defensively, Pompei tallied 413 digs last season, and has the potential to break the all-time dig record at Seton Hall. Supporting Pompei is junior Meghan Johnson, who is a versatile position player for the Pirates. She has the ability as an outside hitter and is a defensive specialist. Freshman Allie Matters will look to gain experience at the libero position behind Pompei.
“Jess has been a leader, and that speaks for itself, she plays really hard, she’s got a lot of energy and enthusiasm,” Zeiter said. “She’ll be the early favorite. Freshman Allie Matters is very good. I expect her to be pushing Jess. I think its definitely going to improve our serve receive and our defense, having two liberos that can play defense and serve receive. We are going to try our best to get both of them on the court at the same time.
The 2006 squad has the potential to create waves in the BIG EAST this year. The team has a good mix of veterans and newcomers and squad is loaded with talent. The
“I’m excited about the enthusiasm of the girls. They are looking forward to the season, they have good leadership, and are dying to improve and play to what they believe is their potential to make the playoffs this year. I’m gonna do my best to help them do that."
