Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Volleyball in Search of Repeat in 2001
8/27/2001 8:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Aug. 27, 2001
For the second time in three years, the Bucknell volleyball team will be faced with one of the toughest challenges in sports: repeating as conference champion. After capturing their first Patriot League title -- and along with it the league's automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament -- in 1998, the Bison copped championship No. 2 last autumn by winning 10 of 12 Patriot League regular season matches and two more in the conference tournament.
A 3-0 loss to the Mideast Region's top seed, Wisconsin, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament hardly dampened another terrific year for the Bison, who have forged eight straight winning seasons, half of which have been accompanied by regular season Patriot crowns.
As the new season nears with next weekend's season-opening Marist Tournament, the Bison have been picked to finish second in a preseason poll of Patriot League head coaches and sports information directors. League newcomer American, coming off a stellar 26-4 campaign gained 10 of the 16 first-place votes and was picked as the league favorite with 92 points. It was hardly a runaway vote, though, as Bucknell still gained plenty of support with 82 points and a pair of top votes. Army (68), Lehigh (62), Colgate (54), Holy Cross (43), Navy (32) and Lafayette (15) rounded out the poll.
Head coach Cindy Opalski knows that her squad is going to be wearing a bullseye this fall. "When you are on top, you have a responsibility to set the standard the following year," says Opalski, the reigning Patriot League "Coach of the Year" who enters her 12th season at Bucknell in 2001. "We are going to be every team's tough match. When you win a championship, you become the bar for the league, and we need to set it high this season."
Aiding that cause is a talented, veteran roster splashed with a half-dozen seniors and every one of the Patriot League's major award winners from a year ago.
"The size of our senior class is significant," says Opalski. "We have players that are not only experienced in winning a championship, but in repeatedly winning championships."
Steady outside hitter Brooke Bader and emotional leader Nicole LaMothe have been lost to graduation, but 11 other letterwinners return, including Patriot League "Offensive Player of the Year" Shannon Walker.
Walker led the conference in kills (404) and hitting percentage (.291) last fall as she emerged as the "go-to" player on a balanced squad. Walker recorded 20 kills or more eight times and was brilliant down the stretch, totaling 135 kills and a .387 hitting percentage in Bucknell's seven tilts leading up to the NCAA Tournament.
"The success of our team is predicated on balance," says Opalski. "We never want to be in a situation where if you can stop one player, you can stop our whole attack. But even though we want to spread the ball around, Shannon Walker always seems to rise to the top. She is an aggressive, powerful player who can be extremely dangerous when she gets on a roll."
Of course every good hitter relies on a consistent setter, and that is just what the Bison have in senior Whitney Williams. The Patriot League's assist leader (10.49 apg) a year ago, Williams shattered the school's single-season assists record with 1,175.
Middle blocker Melanie Gray, outside hitter Shamree Landis and defensive specialists Angela Gano and Kerri Bishop round out a talented senior class that owns 44 victories over the last three seasons.
A bit of a late bloomer, Gray is an extremely effective blocker at 6-2, and Opalski expects her to enjoy her best season yet this fall. Landis is a tremendous team player, one that makes her teammates better every day in practice. She is a solid contributor on the court as well, as she led Bucknell with three kills in four attempts against Wisconsin at the NCAA Tournament.
Like Landis, Bishop also came on strong as the 2000 season progressed. Often used as a back row specialist, Bishop possesses a deceptive serve, leading the squad in aces on a per-game basis with 26 in 73 games.
One of the Bison's most experienced performers, Gano has been a regular in the lineup since her freshman campaign. In terms of footwork and technique, Opalski believes Gano is among the team's best, making her a key component in the overall defensive strategy.
Twin sisters Brandi and Breean Trapasso burst onto the college volleyball scene last fall and made an immediate impact for the Bison. Brandi quickly emerged as one of the Patriot League's premier young talents, earning both rookie of the year and defensive player of the year plaudits at season's end. Her 421 digs led the league, and she also recorded 206 kills from the outside hitter position.
Breean Trapasso is a skilled setter whose role should significantly increase this season as Opalski looks to implement a 6-2 offense, giving both Trapasso and Williams plenty of touches.
Juniors Jen Wrigley and Melanie Ghiz are both expected to be part of the regular rotation this fall. One of the steadier outside hitters at Bucknell in recent years, according to Opalski, Wrigley is a smart, technically sound hitter who is rarely blocked. She ranked third on the team with 286 kills as a sophomore.
An early season injury limited Ghiz's playing time, but she came on late in the season and enjoyed a fine spring as well. Taking advantage of extra playing time with five juniors studying abroad last spring, Ghiz showed such dramatic improvement that Opalski is counting on her to be a presence at the net this fall. The 6-1 middle blocker tallied 18 blocks in 42 games in 2000.
Ghiz's emergence is key, as Opalski is looking for a much-improved block this fall. "The 6-2 offense will not only give both of our setters a chance to contribute, but having the setter come out of the back row should beef up our blocking. We were one of the weaker blocking teams in the league last year, so that has to be a major emphasis."
A blocking upgrade would result in more touches on the ball, which could be a key factor under the NCAA's new scoring rules in place for the 2001 season. Traditional sideout scoring has been replaced by constant rally scoring, with games played to 30 rather than 15.
A by-product of Bucknell's large senior class is a larger-than-normal crop of first-year players. No fewer than six freshmen will be in the mix this fall, with plenty of prep accolades to go among them. Jessica Bissett and Jackie Leahy are both six-footers from outstanding club programs, while right-side hitter Chelsea Robertson was a club teammate of Bissett with the Reebok 18-1 Rage. RS Lauren Kraus and defensive specialist Carolyn Dougherty will also vie for court time right away.
"We purposely recruited a large class this year because we will lose significant numbers to graduation." comments Opalski. "In order for this group to carry into next year, everyone must find and understand her role. It is wide open for any freshman who can prove that she can have an impact on this level to step right in and play."
Bucknell's Patriot League title defense will be challenged by the presence of American University, the newest member of the Patriot League. American dominated the Colonial Athletic Association a year ago, sporting a gaudy 26-4 overall record with an 11-1 mark in CAA play. Three of the Eagles' four losses came against Top 20 teams.
"American is going to have a significant impact on the league," says Opalski. "But I still think the league is wide open. Lehigh, Navy and Colgate have all had a lot of success. Army could be a sleeper, and Holy Cross came on strong last year with an improved defense.
"Still, I think we have to be one of the favorites based on our returning talent," Opalski continues. "While the experience of winning a championship is great to have in your pocket, we had better come back prepared for the challenges that lie ahead."
