Boston College Athletics
2001 Volleyball Outlook
August 06, 2001 | Volleyball
Aug. 6, 2001
Prior to head coach Jackie Hadel's arrival at Boston College back in 1998, the volleyball program struggled through several difficult seasons. Since becoming coach of the Eagles, Hadel's teams have continued to make great strides. With nine players returning from last year's team, the opportunity for continued improvement looks encouraging as it enters the 2001 season.
"We are a young team when you look at the roster, but as far as returning starters we return a great deal of experience," Hadel said. "What is going to help us out is that these players played a lot during their freshman and sophomore seasons."
Following back-to-back 13 win seasons, the Eagles will look to get over the hump with an experienced group of athletes. Juniors Rachel Bach and Lauren Schwer and senior Brooke Shull were the top three offensive players last year for Boston College and will be called upon again to lead the attack.
Bach finished the 2000 campaign with 399 kills (3.90 per game), which was first on the team and No. 10 in the BIG EAST. Besides her strong offensive season, Bach was one of Hadel's top defenders. Bach ranked seventh the conference in blocks with 117 (1.17 per game), which was tops on the team.
"Rachel is our number one weapon and the center of our offense," Hadel said. "She has really matured as a player over her first two seasons. Things that she was inconsistent with or did not know, she has really worked on to make her a better player."
Schwer and Shull finished the 2000 season second and third, respectively, on the team in kills. Schwer averaged an impressive 3.41 kills per game (341 total), while Shull threw in 3.09 kills per game (263 total). Schwer finished the 2000 season also averaging 3.86 digs per game (398 total), which placed her second in the BIG EAST in this category.
Bach and Schwer were two of the Eagles' top setters, which will be important in 2001 with the loss of Kyleen Charlton to graduation. While they were not called upon much as setters, they gained some experience at the position, which will help Hadel as she tries to replace Charlton.
"They just need to continue to develop," Hadel said. "They put up solid numbers as freshmen and just continued to add more to their games as sophomores."
One key hole that must be filled is the loss of Charlton, who finished with over 3,000 assists over her career. One player who could fill the hole is freshman Jessica Brizzolara. Brizzolara comes from the same club team (Sports Performance) as Boston College teammates Kim Carlson, Lauren Schwer and freshman Dara Blandino. Freshmen Lindsay Cope, Katie Andersen and Blandino enter with impressive high school resumes and will be expected to contribute this season.
"The major loss from last season is our setter," Hadel said. "Jessica has to be ready to step in and make an impact."
Sophomores Heather Seo and Michelle LaMothe saw action in more than half the matches for Boston College last season as defensive setters, and this season they will give Hadel's team more depth at a position where she thinks they will need it.
Twelve BIG EAST regular season games and the conference tournament, which will be held November 16-18 at the University of Pittsburgh, highlight the 2001 schedule. The Eagles will also venture to Miami to take part in the Florida International University Invitational (9/14-9/15) and Orono, Maine to compete in the Sea-Sun Opener Invitational (8/31-9/1).
"The BIG EAST schedule is always a challenge for us because we are still making upward progress," Hadel said. "Since you only play each conference team once during the regular season, you always have to be on top of your game."
Hadel realizes how the much the team has progressed, but she also knows a few things are going to have to happen this season if the team is going to take the next step.
"As a team, we are going to need to cut down on our errors," Hadel said. "We are also going to need a setter that can lead our offense and execute the game plan."
