Boston College Athletics
Volleyball Prepares For Start Of 2004 Season
August 18, 2004 | Volleyball
Aug. 18, 2004
Coach Andrea Leonard and The Eagles are looking to build on last season's 17-12 record. With all of last year's players returning and the addition of three new recruits to the mix, Boston College looks to add depth to its young team. Coming off of her first season with the Eagles, Leonard believes her team is more focused entering this season. "We have been a lot more consistent within the year. We are more structured and more prepared. We know looking ahead what's out there and what we can do. I feel more prepared this season." Leonard is enthusiastic about the progress her young team has made over the past year. "What's happened is pretty impressive. In terms of the commitment the players have had- they really understand what they need to do to get in the direction we want to go. Both physically and mentally I think we have improved a lot and I also feel that their personalities are on the court and they have a lot of energy and enthusiasm." The Eagles will be looking to improve on last season's 17-12 overall record and 3-9 record in the BIG EAST. Notre Dame and Pittsburgh are the favorites in the BIG EAST Preseason Poll, ranked first and second respectively in the conference. The Eagles have moved up the ladder from last season to sixth in the rankings. "I think we have a more competitive schedule than last year. Again, it is going to be how we show up game by game, match by match, and what we put out there on the floor. I am expecting a couple of our first home matches in September to be really competitive." Assistant coaches Melissa Alpers and Kin Yun are returning for their fourth and sixth seasons, respectively. Both are familiar with the team and program and will provide support for Coach Leonard. Kin H. Yun will join the coaching staff in his first season as a volunteer assistant coach. With only two seniors on the team, the Eagles will look to the leadership of Katie Andersen (Oakdale, Calif.) and Liz Aron (Aptos, Calif.). "I see a lot leadership coming from them because they are wearing their hearts on their sleeves. This is their last shot at it so we should see a lot of leadership from them." Anderson is coming off a strong season as outside hitter and defensive specialist, leading the 2003 team in digs with 261. Aron starts off following a strong season on defense with 142 digs. Her experience over the past three years will be valuable for her younger teammates. Junior Verena Rost (Houston, Texas), will co-captain the 2004 Eagles. Rost returns from her first full season at starting setter. Rost averaged 1.57 digs per game and finished second in the BIG EAST for service aces with 45. Classmate Emily Stegner (Edina, Minn.) will provide experience to the outside hitter position. After playing in 20 matches and making 49 kills, the junior will also be looked to for leadership. With one year of experience under their belts, the seven sophomores will add depth to the team. Allison Anderson (Moraga, Calif.), elected co-captain alongside Rost, will lead the sophomore charge. The standout led last year's team in kills with 348 and finished second on the team with 244 digs. Alison Shepp (Schaumburg, Ill.) is also coming off of a solid season on both offense and defense. The tallest member of the team at 6 feet 2 inches, Shepp played in all 29 matches and led the team on attack with a hitting percentage of .335. "Allison Anderson and Alison Shepp both over the summer went to Italy to play on a European Tour so they are reaching out to better their games and I see that making an impact on them and their experience level." Sophomores Lia Krautmanis (Kalamazoo, Mich.) and Shardai Davis (Houston, Texas) will continue to add to the middle blocker position. After playing in 21 matches and making 27 kills, Krautmanis will be a large contributor for the Eagles. Davis is coming off an impressive second half of the season after recording 82 kills over 26 matches. Dorota Niemczewska (Vernon Hills, Ill.) proved to be a strong asset at outside hitter. The sophomore recorded 277 kills for the Eagles and 187 defensive plays. Kristin Kenney (Walnut Creek, Calif.), who played in all 29 matches last season with 182 digs, will continue to be a defensive threat for The Eagles. She also brings international experience to the team after playing on the European Tour this summer. Morgan Woodcock (Liverpool, N.Y.), returns to the court at middle blocker after leading the Eagles last season with 56 block assists. "I have seen a huge improvement with her over the summer in terms of her physical conditioning, nutritional habits, and skill on the court. She got out and played in several different volleyball tournaments over the summer. She has really made a commitment to herself and her teammates." Newcomers Kelsey Johnson (Las Vegas, Nev.) Abigail Hasebroock (Omaha, Neb.) and Kristin Whalley (Los Angeles, Calif.) will make an impact on both offense and defense. Johnson, a 6-foot outside hitter, will help the team on both sides of the court. "She has a lot of experience playing at a very high level and she's an explosive, powerful athlete." Hasebroock, a middle hitter, will add competition to the position for the Eagles. "She has an incredible energy on the court; she's very athletic and a total team player." A defensive specialist, Whalley will give the Eagles some added experience at the position. "She is really looking forward to being a part of the program and to help in any way that she can." BC will face some tough competition this season in the BIG EAST. Not only will Notre Dame and Pittsburgh be the teams to beat, but Connecticut, St. John's and Villanova will also be tough competition for the Eagles. The Eagles will open up their season on September 1 at the University of Rhode Island. The team will have to wait until October to kick of its BIG EAST action against Georgetown.
