Record Early Success for Volleyball
9/27/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. - Sophomore Simona Sekulova (Aukland, New Zealand) recorded a match-high 13 kills as the Seton Hall women's volleyball team won its 11th straight match with a 3-0 (25-11, 25-14, 25-12) shutout of Saint Peter's on Tuesday.
The Pirates are enjoying the greatest start to a season ever. At 14-1, no team since the program's inception has had a better start. Furthermore, Seton Hall's 11-match win streak is its longest since 1994.
Although Seton Hall gotten significant contributions up and down the lineup, the Pirates are driven by a pair of super-sophomore twins, Shelbey and Stacey Manthorpe of Merion Station, Pa.
Prior to Shelbey's arrival last year, no player in the history of the program had recorded a triple-double. Shelbey recorded four last year, and through just 15 matches this season, already has five in the books, totaling nine for her remarkable, yet young collegiate career. This season, she has been named to the Preseason All-BIG EAST Team, BIG EAST Player of the Week on Aug. 27 and was appointed to All-Tournament Teams at the Maryland Invitational, Carmichael Invitational and Seton Hall Invitational.
Stacey Manthorpe leads the Pirates with nine double-doubles and has been collecting MVP honors. The outside hitter was named Most Valuable Player of the Carmichael Invitational and the Seton Hall Invitational. Stacey has also been named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll twice already this season.
Seton Hall is seeing all of this early success despite being guided by a first-year head coach. Allison Yaeger took over the program in February, implemented her system and is now considered an early candidate for Coach of the Year.
"I'm so incredibly proud of how hard this team has worked so far this season," Yaeger said. "They're confident and poised and it's showing on the court."
Junior Alyssa Warren (Joilet, Ill.) is one of the top defenders in the BIG EAST Conference. Her digs per game average ranks fourth in the BIG EAST and among the top 35 in the nation. To date, she ranks third in Seton Hall history with 1,371 digs.
Also assisting the defense has been senior Morgan DeVries (Grand Rapids, Mich.), who has ranked among the BIG EAST leaders in blocks per game this season. DeVries' strong play at the Seton Hall Invitational earned her placement on the All-Tournament Team.
Seton Hall has also gotten strong play from its freshmen.
Amanda Hansen (Pewaukee, Wis.) was named BIG EAST Freshman of the Week for her efforts in Seton Hall's victories over Pittsburgh and USF last weekend. She currently sports the team's best attack percentage at .341 and is second on the Pirates with 0.88 blocks per set.
Molly Grammer (Center Valley, Pa.) was named to the Carmichael Invitational All-Tournament Team and has been the Pirates' second-best offensive weapon this season. The freshman ranks second on the team with 2.66 kills per set and a .259 attack percentage. Showing her athleticism, she has also blocked 37 balls this season on the defensive side.
Seton Hall will look to continue its winning ways this weekend when it travels to Georgetown and Villanova for its first two BIG EAST road games of the season. Seton Hall will return home to Walsh Gym on Saturday, Oct. 13 when they host Marquette.
