Boston College Athletics
Volleyball Concludes 2003 Campaign
November 19, 2003 | Volleyball
Nov. 19, 2003
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - Andrea Leonard's squad closed out an overall successful season last weekend. The young BC team of seven freshmen and four returning players proved that they weren't going to let the BIG EAST or any team shrug them off.
The year started out on a positive note, with Boston College quickly earning a 3-1 record at the Western New York Tournament. The Eagles would continue on a five match win streak, before having it halted by New Hampshire, Leonard's former team. The Eagles were up 9-3 before BIG EAST action began the last weekend of September.
BC snapped its first conference win against West Virginia, 3-2. The Eagles would be disappointed the following Sunday, losing to Pittsburgh in a feisty 3-1 match against assistant coach Melissa Alpers' alma mater. The rookie led team would go on to upset Virginia Tech in Blackburg the following week, and snatch their biggest win of the season against Syracuse at home in mid-October. The match against the Orangewomen was intense, with SU taking the early lead. The Eagles rallied back and tied up the match at two games apiece. A serving error by Syracuse's highly touted right-side Kelly Duan would score BC the match point. The Eagles would end up losing their remaining BIG EAST matches, but claiming victory in several non-conference meetings scattered through the end of the season.
The Eagles closed out the regular 2003 season 9th in the conference, an improvement from their preseason poll ranking of 12.
Alison Shepp probably made the biggest impact of the rookie class these past few months. Quickly earning a spot in the starting rotation, her 6'2" frame easily set her up for blocking and a barrage of attacks from the middle. She had a personal and team high of 25 kills against Central Connecticut State University in early November. The frosh out of Schaumburg, Illinois, earned Rookie of the Week after her weekend at the Crusaders Classic in Worcester, and Co-Rookie of the Week after outstanding performances against Quinnipiac University and Providence College. Shepp led the team in attack with a .335 percentage (fifth in the BIG EAST), and had a total of 65 blocks this year- second on the team. She was most successful in block assists, guarding the net with red-shirt freshman Morgan Woodcock.
Woodcock returned to the team this year after having to sit out last season with an ACL injury. Not experienced at the college level, the middle blocker had her work cut out to be both a returning member of the team and a rookie. Leading the team in blocks, Woodcock stuffed 74 attempts by opponents. Her ability to use both sides of the net, as well as her teammates, made her a major asset.
From Moraga, California, Allison Anderson brought west coast style volleyball to Beantown. From her first serve Anderson has been potent, making her presence known in the back of the court on defense as well as the outside on offense. The rookie had 348 kills, the most on the Eagle squad. She also dropped for 244 digs, second behind defensive specialist/libero/outside hitter Katie Andersen.
Andersen, one of four returning players, logged consistent playing time with her experience and leadership qualities. Her freshman and sophomore years she was primarily used on offense as an outside, but proved vital to the defense in a team chock full of attack players. Andersen averaged 2.97 digs per game, making a grand total of 261 defensive plays over 25 matches. She also had 117 kills, averaging 1.13 kills per game.
A native of Poland, Dorota Niemczewska captured everyone with her presence on the court and ability to make crucial plays. A quiet player on the outside, Niemczewska had an amazing ability to guard the net and make blocks on some of the best players in the country. She had a personal high of five combined blocks against Hartford early in the season, but made the most emphatic plays of the season with her four blocks and 19 kills against Syracuse.
Team co-captain Verena Rost had a great year in her first full season as the starting setter. Rost, a sophomore out of Houston, Texas, notched 1,225 assists (11.67 per game). The team leader in service aces, Rost made 45 from the back line this year, finishing second in overall play in the BIG EAST this season. She helped rank BC in the top 30 for service aces in Division I several times. The Eagles reached an all-time high of 12th in the nation on October 12 (2.34 aces per game).
Sophomore veteran Emily Stegner rejoined the team as co-captain with Rost. Missing the closing weeks of the season because of illness, her team spirit was not hindered and Stegner continued to push the team for a postseason berth. Stegner was a big contributor in 20 matches this season, averaging 1.14 kills per game. Her defense in front of the net was amazing, knocking down two blocks on her own, and combining with teammates for nine block assists.
Liz Aron made some major defensive plays this year. Floating between and outside hitter and a defensive specialist, she recorded 142 digs over 25 matches. She had 35 kills on offense this year, with nine assists.
Another Houston native, Shardai Davis, exploded on the court late in the season. Davis earned a starting role in several matches this year as a middle blocker. She showed a lot of power in front of the net, making 29 total blocks this year. Davis had 82 kills (1.32 per game), 12 service aces and 25 defensive digs.
Lia Krautmanis played an important role as a middle blocker who is powerful under the net and could come through in pressure situations. Primarily switching off with Woodcock, Krautmanis made 19 blocks this season, 12 digs and 27 kills. Her role in 21 matches provided the experience to make her a heavy contributor next fall.
Kristin Kenney, the only walk-on this fall, showed strength and agility in her recurring role as a libero and defensive specialist. A California native, Kenney joined Leonard's squad in August, and was a regular on the court throughout the season. Playing in all 29 matches this year, Kenney had 182 digs and 21 assists. No fear for diving on to the floor, Kenney's heart and ability will make her a key veteran over the next three years.
Boston College will look to add more height and talent to their team in the upcoming months. They have quickly molded a team that should be a serious threat to competition in the upcoming seasons.
