Boston College Athletics
Volleyball Prepares To Open Big East Competition
September 26, 2003 | Volleyball
Sept. 26, 2003
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - The Eagles are getting ready to open up conference play this weekend as West Virginia and Pittsburgh head to Chestnut Hill for some BIG EAST action.
So far the young team has worked diligently to frame a competitive program in a region of the country that is still growing in volleyball. The freshman class has stepped up big this year, with only four upperclassmen to guide the way- two sophomores and two juniors. The crew has definitely earned a spot for themselves, and is prepared to come out big over the weekend.
"I think the freshmen are more than ready," Co-captain Verena Rost said. "They've been waiting for this kind of play."
Although the team has only been together about a month, they've quickly gelled and shown competitors that just because they're young, they aren't rookies to the sport. Allison Anderson, a freshman out of Moraga, CA, leads the team in kills with 163. Her presence has definitely been felt on offense and defense. At 5'10", she's able to really put a force on the ball and put some points on the scoreboard. Morgan Woodcock, returning to play this season after taking redshirt status in 2002 due to a knee injury, has put up more blocks than anyone else. She's been effective under the net 32 times this season. Alison Shepp earned BIG EAST honors during her second week of being an Eagle. Her ability to perform as middle blocker and right side has kept her consistently on the court, as many of the newcomers have been.
"Our team this year is obviously a completely different team than last year," Co-captain Emily Stegner said. "Every single girl on the team is competitive and we want everyone out on the court."
This weekend will be a test for BC. The Eagles have opened their season with several tournament and round-robin style matches, and it's given them the opportunity to warm up and figure out what each person can do to be top a competitor.
""We've been working on individualized skills, each person building up what they're good at," Rost said. "We've been working on a lot of off the ball movements, a lot of aggressive plays."
Last season BC went 3-10 in BIG EAST play, but this year the team is looking to capitalize on new talent and the ability to attack quickly. Of the 10 wins this season, the Eagles have taken six matches in three straight games. But both Rost and Stegner agree that starting this weekend, it's going to be a different level of competition.
"Definitely the teams are going to be harder than preseason," Rost said as Stegner nodded in agreement. "That's the whole reason for looking forward to the weekend, to have better competition."
Volleyball opens the weekend with West Virginia on Saturday. The Mountaineers have had a slower start, winning only two matches of the 12 they've played. WVU dropped two last Saturday. Both were close matches, the Mountaineers being defeated by Marshall and Morehead 3-2. The Eagles are smart enough not to look past them and think this match could be an opportunity to jumpstart the season.
"We're looking to get better with each team that we play," Rost said.
"We'll bring our A game for both days," Stegner followed.
You can check out the Eagles against WVU in Power Gym on Saturday at 11 a.m. as they open the first of two matches this weekend.
