Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Volleyball Makes 2010 Debut at USC Trojan Invite
8/26/2010 8:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Aug. 26, 2010
LEWISBURG, Pa. - After weeks of preparation, Bucknell volleyball will finally take to the court for its 2010 opener, traveling to Los Angeles for the Trojan Invitational, hosted by Southern California Aug. 28-29. The Bison will have a tough test in their first weekend, taking on Cal State Fullerton at 8 p.m. on Friday, followed by No. 10 USC at 1 p.m. and Loyola Marymount at 8 p.m. on Saturday. All match times are Eastern, and live stats on GameTracker will be available at usctrojans.com. Bucknell's bout with USC on Saturday will also be broadcast live at usctrojans.com for a small fee.
The trip will be one of firsts for the Bison, which have never played at USC's Galen Center. Bucknell will also be facing USC and Loyola Marymount for the first time in program history. Its only experience with this weekend's foes comes against Cal State Fullerton, a team Bucknell is 0-3 against in previous meetings. The two squads last played in 2008 with the Titans winning in straight sets (25-13, 25-17, 25-18).
Bucknell was picked fifth with 49 points in the Patriot League Preseason Poll. The Bison trailed defending champion Army, which was voted number one with 92 points and nine first-place votes, American with 90 points and seven first-place votes, Colgate (74 points) and Lehigh (62).
Below is a more in-depth preview of Bucknell volleyball's 2010 season:
With the 2009 campaign in its rearview, Bucknell volleyball is looking to bounce back in 2010 in a big way. Size is the name of the game for the Bison, which return all but two starters from last year's squad and bring in one of the largest recruiting classes in program history. Bucknell's experience along with its depth at every position, has the Orange and Blue eyeing a Patriot League title in the new season.
"We've got a large squad, we've got big bodies, and we have what I think is a real huge potential," said Cindy Opalski, who is entering her 21st season as Bucknell's head coach. "It's the largest recruiting class that we've had since I came to Bucknell 20 years ago. It's not only large, but it's full of potential. Our intention was to fortify our program with a solid group of young people who would give us depth across the board."
With an impressive list of 21 student-athletes on the Bison's roster entering preseason camp, the coaching staff has a wealth of options around the court. Opalski expects contributions to come from a variety of players, providing opponents with the difficult task of zeroing in on a single threat.
"Because of our depth, I think we're going to be a little bit difficult to scout," Opalski predicted. "As other teams look at us, it's going to be tough to pinpoint that one particular player to stop, and that overall balance is going to be one of our strongest assets."
A season ago, five players held the team's top marks in each of the eight major statistical categories. Three of those players - Heidi Kamp, Ragin Jackson and Emily Sawanobori - return for another year and will likely be called upon to make significant contributions to the new team.
"I believe we're going to have good balance in terms of our offensive and defensive production," said Opalski. "We're hoping to get consistent production from four or five people offensively and solid defensive numbers from two or three people. I think we're going to get good percentage shots and ball control from a variety of different people."
Bucknell will have the opportunity to test out its new, balanced look as it opens its season with a difficult non-conference schedule. The Bison begin their campaign at the Trojan Invitational in Los Angeles where their slate includes an Aug. 28 match against the nation's 10th-ranked team in USC. Opalski and her team hope to have something to show for their efforts when they return to Lewisburg, moving up the Patriot League standings later in the year.
"A benchmark for the early season training was to really move us out of our comfort zone, extend our ability to attack on the front line and play great defense and really prepare us for Patriot League play," said Opalski. "As we move forward, it's all about our mental toughness."
Leading the way in the new season will be senior co-captains Kamp and Rachel Rodriguez. Kamp, who begins her final year in the Orange and Blue ranked fifth in program history in block assists with 208, was a 2009 Second Team All-Patriot League selection. She also ranked in the league's top 10 in total blocks, attack percentage and kills last season, making her a major force on the court for the Bison.
Rodriguez will continue to make herself known as well. In addition to her responsibilities in a two-setter system a year ago, Rodriguez found her niche as one of the team's top servers and a key component of the Bison defense. Now in her final campaign, she will be called upon to move into the starting setter position, a role to which she is well suited due to her consistent and strategic style of play.
"Our seniors are going to lead us both on and off the court. They bring a lot of ability and experience to our starting lineup. Heidi's one of the best, if not the best, middle hitters in the league. She's extremely versatile, extremely athletic and extremely aggressive," lauded Opalski. "Rachel's more of a methodical and controlled player. She's just a dependable kid, and to have that mix of aggressiveness and control in our senior class is a really good thing."
Bucknell will look to get major contributions from its junior class as well. Katie Baumgarten broke into the starting lineup early in her career before being sidelined much of her sophomore season due to a thumb injury. She and Kyleigh McAhren, who returns in 2010 in strong physical shape and with a renewed mindset, are expected to be key components to the Bison's outside hitting game. With the longest reach on the team, Anne Ellenberger will also leave her mark on the front line as her aggression and confidence grow.
Along with Lindsay Regruto, Sawanobori returns as one of the squad's most proven defensive players. Sawanobori led the team in digs and service aces last season. With the team's depth, however, the duo has its work cut out for them this season. Both are up to the challenge, according to Opalski.
"Emily and Lindsay have been in the starting lineup since their freshman year. Both of them have a good taste of what it feels like to be in the starting rotation, and I'd say they really like what that feels like and they want more."
The Bison's sophomore class will also be aiming to maintain their hold on their starting positions. Jackson was the only Bucknell freshman to start all 26 matches last season and finished the year as the lone rookie ranked in the Patriot League's top 10 in total blocks. Kebah Edoho also broke into the starting lineup as a middle hitter to make an impact early in her career. Kat Tauscher will look for increased time at setter after spending much of her freshman campaign as a key reserve for the Bison.
"Kat has had an outstanding offseason, and her ability to deliver the ball with great pace and consistency has been something that has really impressed the coaching staff in this preseason," said Opalski. "She's really done a great job as a floor quarterback."
Bucknell's large freshman class is still unproven yet full of promise. With nine newcomers making their way to preseason camp, Opalski is not short on options.
"Our freshman class right now looks really solid," praised Opalski. "They have better ball handling skills and better offensive aggression and service potential than some of our upperclassmen. They've really made a positive impact on our preseason so far and are making some really significant contributions in our scrimmages."
Known as a strong all-around player, Morgan Mientus will vie for a starting position early in her career. She is joined offensively by classmates Kristen Titley, Morgan Clark, Jessica Serrato and Hannah Young, who will also provide additional hitting strength for the Bison. Rose Lewis will join Rodriguez and Tauscher in the setting position.
Defensively, Bucknell boasts a freshman trio of Leylin Marroquin, Kellye Zobrist and Sydney MacGregor that has already begun to make an impact.
"The defensive tenacity of our freshman class has been extremely impressive," said Opalski. "Collectively [they] have inspired our veterans to increase our defensive intensity on the court, and they've got a great sense of purpose. Their high school and club experience has availed them the opportunity to be really good tactical people."
Bucknell will have its first chance to test the 2010 squad at the Trojan Invitational, running Aug. 27-28 opposite Cal State Fullerton, USC and Loyola Marymount. The Orange and Blue then return to Lewisburg for the annual Bison Invitational Sept. 3-4 against Eastern Michigan, Iona and Providence. Patriot League action officially gets underway just a few short weeks later, opening with American at Davis Gym on Sept. 24.
