Boston College Athletics
Volleyball Outlook Bright for 2008 Season
August 27, 2008 | Volleyball
Aug. 27, 2008
The Boston College volleyball team heads into the 2008 season coming off of a competitive third season in the Atlantic Coast Conference. BC finished 14-18 last fall, including an 8-14 mark in ACC play. The Eagles tied for eighth in the 12-member conference, finishing ahead of Wake Forest and NC State. The 14 overall wins marked the most victories the team has had since 2004.
Head Coach Andrea Leonard, who enters her sixth season leading the team, features a 2008 roster which has six returning letterwinners, three returning starters and seven newcomers.
"Our main focus is to maintain the style of play that has been established by the previous players here at Boston College," Leonard said. "It's an intense style of play with a never-say-die attitude."
The three returning upperclassmen all have extensive game experience and will make significant contributions this season. That includes seniors Brittany Pierpont and Tori Thompson, and captain Taylor Williams, a junior. With a younger team, the level of competition in practice for starting spots has been high, with the tone being set by the returning starters.
"The upperclassmen have been ready for competitive practices," Leonard said. "They have been encouraging that healthy competition within our program. We all want to put the best team on the floor."
SENIORS
Brittany Pierpont and Tori Thompson, the two seniors on the team, will be impact players for the Eagles this season. Both players have a wealth of experience in ACC play and should provide great guidance to the newcomers on the team.
Pierpont returns after another solid year at the setter position. Last season in 87 games, she led the team in assists (825), and placed ninth in the ACC in assists per game (9.48). Leonard expects Pierpont to continue her development in her senior year as a student of the game.
"Brittany [Pierpont]'s really developed," the coach said. "We sit down with her frequently and talk about different setter scenarios and strategies on paper," Leonard said. "She's really been able to see how both her physical and strategic development can really elevate her level of play."
Thompson returns as a starting outside hitter. She played in 107 games last season and was a solid contributor in all facets of the game. Leonard appreciates having a versatile player on her squad and expects more from Thompson this season.
"Tori [Thompson] started off as a utility player and has filled a variety of roles for us; middle hitter, outside hitter, and defensive specialist," Leonard said. "She's found a way to make herself valuable at each of those positions." "Tori's one of our fastest players. She's one of our most dynamic, exciting players on the court and that helps her in her ability to be more versatile."
JUNIORS
The lone junior on the Eagles this season is Taylor Williams, who was elected captain by her teammates before the season. Williams returns as the starting outside hitter, and has developed into a complete player in her two seasons thus far. She took part in 114 games in 2007 and totaled 240 kills to go along with 104 digs.
"Taylor [Williams] is our money player," Leonard said. "She's really taken that role on with a sense of responsibility and composure."
Leonard has been impressed by Williams' commitment to her new role during this past off season, when she worked with Thompson to condition herself for the season.
"Tori [Thompson] and Taylor [Williams] both stayed up here all summer long. They both committed to the weight room, the strength and conditioning program, and they've played a lot of beach volleyball tournaments."
SOPHOMORES
The sophomore class has four players, three returning and one newcomer.
Leading the returnees is Dani Moskitis, a setter, who was elected captain by her teammates before the season. Moskitis saw action in 67 games last season and totaled 493 assists.
Melanie Cimino, a middle hitter, saw action in 60 games last season. Cimino led the team in hitting percentage (.271) as a freshman.
Kristen Baader, a defensive specialist, returns after seeing action in 66 games last season. Baader totaled 105 digs and played in 27 of 32 matches as a freshman.
"Dani [Moskitis], Melanie [Cimino], and Kristen [Baader] have really set the tone for being a younger player and showing a lot of leadership. They've really elevated the commitment level for what it's going to take to play at BC."
A newcomer to the team, Alexandra Fitzpatrick hails from St. Francis High School in Wheaton, Ill. A walk-on middle hitter, Fitzpatrick won two state championships (2004, 2006) with her high school volleyball team, one of which she was team captain (2006). She also played for the Sports Performance Volleyball Club, which won the AAU Championship in 2005.
"Alex [Fitzpatrick] just came on board with us in the spring," Leonard said. "She has an incredible upbeat, positive attitude."
FRESHMEN
"We have expectations of them fitting in right away in our system and our style of play. That's why we recruited them. They are very intense and focused on committing to the play and committing to the ball. All the kids right now can be out there deservedly as starters and players. We expect a couple of them to step on the court right away and challenge for some serious playing time."
-Andrea Leonard
The Eagles welcome six freshmen to the 2008 roster. This class enters BC earning honorable mention from PrepVolleyball.com for being among the top 75 recruiting classes in the country. The freshman class includes Brennan Clark, Tsvetelina Dureva, Clare Higgins, Mollie Kolosky, Jordan Meredith, and Marilyn Sullivan.
Clark is a 5-foot-9-inch libero/outside hitter out of Mililani, Hawaii and University Laboratory High School. Brennan was an Interscholastic League of Honolulu All Star, a member of the USA Volleyball High Performance A2 Development Camp, and Aloha Region, All Star Team High Performance Championships.
"Brennan will make an immediate impact for us defensively," Leonard said. "She has incredible range and a natural touch on the ball. She is a consistent and confident performer and we are very excited to develop her into our system."
Dureva is a 5-foot-9-inch outside hitter out of Sofia, Bulgaria. She played for Uchilishte 81 Victor Hugo High School and competed for the Zvezdi 94 and Pirin Balkanstroy Volleyball Clubs. Dureva has been a starter on all of her competitive volleyball teams since age 12.
"Tsveti is an exciting young player, with an impressive vertical jump," said Leonard. "She is a poised, intelligent veteran of the game and we look for her to make an immediate impact for us offensively. She is a calm and controlled player who sees the court exceptionally well. We are looking forward to a fun and exciting season with Tsvetelina."
Higgins is a 5-foot-7-inch libero/defensive specialist out of Irvine, CA. She attended Woodbridge High School where she was a three-year player and team captain. Higgins was named an Orange County High School Volleyball All-Star and was All-City and All-League MVP during her senior year.
"Clare brings a special talent to our program in that she is an outstanding competitor," Leonard said. "She brings confidence, leadership and a drive to excel. She has a talent of elevating the level of play around her. She is always pushing to excel and to be a consistent performer on which her teammates can rely. We are thrilled to have Clare's talents here at Boston College."
Kolosky is a 6-foot-2-inch middle hitter out of Wheaton Warrenville South High School in Wheaton, Ill. Molly helped her high school team win the DuPage Valley Conference (DVC) for the first time in 10 years. She was All-DVC, and named best blocker at the Mizuno Cup.
"We are thrilled to have Mollie join our program," said Leonard. "She brings much success, experience and a level of knowledge that will help us tremendously. Our staff is looking forward to Mollie's leadership skills and development here at Boston College."
Meredith is a 6-foot outside hitter out of Kamehameha High School in Honolulu, Hawaii and a member of the Jammers Club team. Jordan was named a PrepVolleyball Junior Fab 50, and won three state championships. She has also been a member of the USA Volleyball High Performance Development A2 camp and team.
"Jordan is an exceptional athlete whom we are very excited to have here at the Heights," Leonard said. "She is a fierce competitor and brings a wealth of skills to our program. We are very excited about her confidence, energy, and drive. She has all around skills which contribute to her complete game."
Sullivan is a 5-foot-9-inch outside hitter/defensive specialist out of Encinitas, Calif. She played at Francis Parker High School. During her high school career, Marilyn won a San Diego section title, and a State Championship as team captain.
"We are extremely happy to have Marilyn join the program," Leonard said. "Her energy, enthusiasm, dedication and commitment are contagious. Her versatility will make an impact right away. She is a very determined, exciting young player for us, and we look forward to her emerging into the collegiate game."
