Bucknell University Athletics
Volleyball Opens Season at La Salle Tournament on Friday
9/2/2005 8:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sept. 2, 2005
LEWISBURG, Pa. - For veteran head coach Cindy Opalski, this season will be all about maximizing potential. For the first time in a number of years, the Bison break preseason camp without a bona fide offensive superstar, but Opalski believes that this could be one of the deepest teams in her 16 seasons at Bucknell. The Bison, picked to finish third in the Patriot League Preseason Poll, kick off 2005 with a match against Fairleigh Dickinson at the La Salle Tournament tonight.
With talent young and old piled up at every position on the floor, Opalski lauds her team's intangibles and feels that its physical ability will get better and better as the season progresses.
"I think we could be late bloomers," predicts Opalski. "We will be challenged early in the season against a very tough schedule, but without a doubt we have the heart and mental toughness to win the Patriot League championship. If we have the physical skill to match, we will be in the hunt. The team chemistry is incredible.
"We are going to be challenged on three levels this year - to maintain that team-first spirit, to develop athletically and to excel academically. We have the same high standards inside Davis Gym that our professors have for their students academically. Team chemistry and dynamics - the relationship between you and your teammates - is the single most critical factor in our successs."
Individually, the Bison must cope with the loss of two-time All-Patriot League outside hitter Jackie Leahy, who graduated ranked third on Bucknell's career kills list. Libero Carolyn Dougherty, who ranked second in the league in digs last season, and the versatile Chelsea Robertson will also be missed, but an influx of talented newcomers and the return of a former all-conference defender will help soften the blow.
An All-Patriot League libero in 2003, Chelsea Anderson returns to the program this fall after taking last year off. One of Bucknell's top defensive players of the Opalski era, Anderson racked up 770 digs during her first two seasons.
"We are simply a better team with Chelsea on the floor," says Opalski of her senior co-captain. "She is truly one of the elite defensive players in the league."
Junior Jennie Smith joins Anderson as a co-captain. Smith was slowed by injury for much of last season, and she is hoping to return to her freshman year form that saw her rank second in the Patriot League in blocks with 101. When healthy, Smith is a potent two-way threat as both a blocker and middle hitter.
Two other seniors will play significant roles. Jessica Le enters her second season as a starting setter. She made a successful debut in a lead role in 2004, finishing second in the Patriot League in assists (1079) and assists per game (10.48), including a school-record 66 in a 3-1 victory at Holy Cross. Classmate Becky Fisher is an athletic outside hitter and a key offensive weapon for the Bison. Fisher has mainly come off the bench throughout her career, and last season she more than doubled her previous career high with 136 kills and led all Bison regulars with a .215 hitting percentage.
The return of junior right-side hitter Sarah Groman from last season's ACL injury will provide a tremendous boost. Groman has a powerful right arm and at 6'2" provides another blocking presence at the net. Junior Amanda Grossmann was perhaps the team's most improved player a year ago, when she led Bucknell in blocks (61) and also chipped in 143 kills.
Two other juniors - Allison Brady and Kristen Sydlowski - also figure in Opalski's plans. Brady serves as a backup setter and can also come in as a server or back row player. Sydlowski is one of the team's emotional leaders who also provides a spark as an outside hitter.
Sophomore Jenna Henderson finished second on the squad in kills in 2004.  |
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Sophomore Jenna Henderson was one of the Patriot League's top newcomers a year ago when she finished second to Leahy on the squad with 227 kills. Henderson was slowed a bit by a back injury in the preseason, but the Bison need a big year from her to make up for the loss of Leahy on the outside. Another second-year player, Tessa Mendez, has made positive strides as a blocker and could work her way into an increased role as her offensive game develops.
Opalski is particularly excited about a five-player rookie class that has "immediate impact" potential. Emilie Hardinge and Liz Hazuka are tall, athletic prospects who can contribute at both the outside and middle hitter positions. Sheena Czipri and Sherri Liang project as back row specialists, while Shannon Pitsch is such a talented setter that Opalski plans on going to a 6-2 scheme this season to get her on the floor.
"This is a bit different scenario for us in that we don't seem to have one player that really stands out," says Opalski, "but that is why I am so excited about this season. We will be challenged to find terminators to step up and end a play with one swing. We don't have a great one like a Jackie Leahy or a Shannon Walker, but we do have a lot more options across the floor. Coming out of preseason we are not quite there yet, but this team has such a high ceiling. If we can use our talent to the fullest potential we will be there in the end."
