Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Volleyball Squad Ready for Battle
8/23/2002 8:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Aug. 23, 2002
Bucknell head volleyball coach Cindy Opalski likens each Patriot League match to a Civil War skirmish. With the overall talent in the league at an all-time high, every foray onto an enemy battleground is a grueling event. And while nearly all of the league foes are stocked with talent, Opalski believes that it is a certain hunger, a commitment to hard work every day in practice, that will set apart the best from the rest.
"Over the last few years the conference as a whole has made a considerable commitment to improving the resources afforded to its programs," says Opalski. "Because of this, every Patriot League match will be a war, and we must bring a well-prepared team to battle. I am encouraged about the potential of this year's team and even more passionate about the challenges that lie in front of us."
The Bison open their 2002 campaign next Friday, Aug. 30 against Canisius at the University of Buffalo Hampton Inn-vitational. Bucknell will also square off against the host Bulls and Coastal Carolina at the tourney. The home opener is slated for Sept. 13 at 6 p.m. against Albany in Davis Gym.
While reluctant to use the term "rebuilding" when looking ahead to 2002, Opalski and the Bison must overcome the loss of six seniors - all key contributors - from a 2001 squad that finished 12-13 overall (7-7 Patriot League) and once again qualified for the league's postseason tournament. Among the losses is 2000 Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year Shannon Walker, who finished her brilliant career ranked second on Bucknell's all-time kills list.
To soften the blow of the graduation hit, Opalski has assembled a strong cast of experienced upperclassmen and promising newcomers who will be expected to maintain Bucknell's recent tradition of excellence. Among the Patriot League's elite for the last nine years, the Bison captured conference tournament titles (and NCAA Tournament bids) in 1998 and 2000, while capturing regular season titles four times since 1995.
In order to keep their even-year championship trend in tact in 2002, the Bison must quickly find the proper court chemistry while many players adapt to new roles.
Senior captain Jennifer Wrigley will be charged with a major chunk of that leadership role. Wrigley is looking to duplicate the production of her freshman and sophomore campaigns, when she tallied more than 200 kills and 300 digs each year. Wrigley is a fine all-court player and will be counted on to pick up some of the offensive slack from the loss of Walker.
The only other member of the senior class is 6'1" middle blocker Melanie Ghiz. After studying abroad this past spring, Ghiz is expected to quickly return to form and take on a leadership responsibility alongside Wrigley. Ghiz is a fine defensive player in the front row who also excels on quick attacks.
The Trapasso Twins - Brandi and Breean - will be two major factors in Bucknell's success this fall. Brandi has already established herself as one of the premier outside hitters in the Patriot League. An explosive attacker despite her 5'7" frame, Brandi copped Patriot League Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2000. That year she led the conference with 421 digs, which ranks fourth on Bucknell's single-season list. She has also topped the 200-kill plateau in each of her first two seasons in Orange & Blue.
While Brandi is already a household name in Patriot League volleyball circles, Breean could become one this season as she takes over the Bison's starting setter role. After toiling in the shadows of standout playmaker Whitney Williams over the last two seasons, Breean is poised to take over the No. 1 position in 2002. Despite her backup duties, she still earned action in 153 games over the last two years, and in 2001 she handed out 260 assists out of Bucknell's 6-2 system.
The remaining 10 players on the roster are all freshmen and sophomores. Heading the second-year cast is 6'1" outside hitter Jackie Leahy, who quickly gained a starting spot last season as a rookie and did not disappoint. Leahy appeared in 89 of 96 games, racking up 219 kills to rank fifth among Patriot League freshmen. She also turned into one of the squad's vocal leaders, communicating extremely well with her teammates on the floor.
Also seeing extensive action as a rookie last season was 5'9" right-side hitter Chelsea Robertson, who logged 75 kills and 20 blocks in 84 games. A terrific athlete, Robertson can expect her role to increase significantly this fall.
Rounding out the sophomore class are 6'1" middle hitter Jessica Bissett and 5-7 defensive specialist Carolyn Dougherty. Bissett was impressive in limited action last season, hitting .281 with only six errors in 32 attempts in 22 games. Dougherty's playing time increased as her initial campaign progressed, including time against American in the Patriot League Tournament semifinals. She picked up 16 digs in 26 games.
Opalski backs up the four sophomores with a half-dozen promising first-year players. Heading the list are 5'8" outside hitter Chelsea Anderson and 6'0" middle and outside hitter Becky Fisher. Both players come from elite prep programs and could become starters from day one. The addition of versatile 5'10" Christie Keil gives the Bison a quality backup to Breean Trapasso at the setter position, as well as a strong option on the right side. Giving versatility a whole new name is 5'7" Jessica Le, who can be penciled in on the back row, at setter or even outside hitter. A tremendously quick defensive player, Le could be ticketed for a defensive specialist role fairly soon.
Rounding out the Class of 2006 are 5'10" middle hitter Amanda Rowe and 6'0" middle Courtney Clark. Both players will vie for court time right away.
A significant rule change to keep an eye on is the addition of the "libero" position. This designated back row player may not serve, attack or set, but may substitute in or out without counting towards a team's sub limit.
The libero will create more opportunities for smaller, quicker players. Dougherty, Anderson and Le are all candidates for the libero spot.
In order to get back into the championship ring, the Bison will have to solve American University, the Patriot League's powerful newcomer. The Eagles posted a perfect 14-0 record in their first year in the conference, then added two more victories to capture the Patriot League Tournament. Bucknell hosts American early in the conference slate (Oct. 4) this season.
Also providing quick measuring sticks will be season-opening tournaments at Buffalo and Stony Brook, as well as back-to-back home tourneys in late-September. While the schedule calls for a tough four-game road trip in mid-October - including a non-league date at LeMoyne where the third Trapasso sister, Britni, plays - the Bison are fortunate to have their final three league tilts at home against Holy Cross, Army and Colgate. Bucknell was 6-3 in Davis Gym last season and a late-season homestand could prove beneficial if the postseason race is as tight as predicted.
In 2001 only three games separated third from sixth place. While American and Lehigh raced to the top two spots, Army, Bucknell, Colgate and Navy battled it out most of the season for the final two tournament spots. Throw a much-improved Holy Cross team into the mix and it's easy to see why Opalski places such a premium on being prepared for each conference test. One slip can cost a team a title shot.
For Bucknell, a vast battleground awaits, and with many of the soldiers taking on new roles, excitement buzzes as the 2002 season nears.
