2008 Woodie Awards
Women's Volleyball Set To Spike Competition
Dario MelendezStaff Reporter
Issue date: 9/15/05 Section: Sports
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With seven returning lettermen and the addition of six freshmen and one transfer, the Sacred Heart women's volleyball team looks to rebound from its 5- 21 record a year ago.
"We were a very young team last season, only graduating two seniors," said Head Coach Liz McGreevy, who is entering her fifth season as head volleyball coach.
Finishing last season tied for fifth place with Fairleigh Dickinson and Quinnipiac in the Northeast Conference, McGreevy chalked the outcome of the season up to the lack of experience.
"It was a rebuilding year to say the least," McGreevy said, adding, "But it gave me a great opportunity to place some of my younger players in live game situations and soak in some much needed game experience."
Led by the three seniors, co-captains Michelle Clarke, a setter from Baltimore, MD, Brenda Bailey, an outside hitter from Costa Mesa, CA, and Heather Brooks, a middle defender from Regina, SK, the regenerated Pioneers are depending on its team leaders and others to guide them through the 2005 season.
"I just try to lead by example, both on and off the court," Brooks said.
With her veteran leadership, McGreevy feels a surge of confidence in her team.
"Everyone is very vital to our team success," McGreevy said. "With our two retuning senior captains and Heather Brooks, who was a transfer last year and has dominated since day one, I have no doubt in my mind that leadership would even be a concern this year."
McGreevy was also quick to mention two underclassmen with strong performances for the team thus far: freshman Katie Thomas, a libero from Wappingers Falls, NY, and sophomore Samantha McMillan, a setter from Manassas, VA.
"Last year I was just a freshman," McMillan said. "And I was a little intimidated, but now that I have a year of experience, I just play with more confidence and more composure. Plus it doesn't hurt to have a great group of hitters like Heather Brooks, Christine Duffy, Brenda Bailey, and Kendra Sloan to pass to."
"We were a very young team last season, only graduating two seniors," said Head Coach Liz McGreevy, who is entering her fifth season as head volleyball coach.
Finishing last season tied for fifth place with Fairleigh Dickinson and Quinnipiac in the Northeast Conference, McGreevy chalked the outcome of the season up to the lack of experience.
"It was a rebuilding year to say the least," McGreevy said, adding, "But it gave me a great opportunity to place some of my younger players in live game situations and soak in some much needed game experience."
Led by the three seniors, co-captains Michelle Clarke, a setter from Baltimore, MD, Brenda Bailey, an outside hitter from Costa Mesa, CA, and Heather Brooks, a middle defender from Regina, SK, the regenerated Pioneers are depending on its team leaders and others to guide them through the 2005 season.
"I just try to lead by example, both on and off the court," Brooks said.
With her veteran leadership, McGreevy feels a surge of confidence in her team.
"Everyone is very vital to our team success," McGreevy said. "With our two retuning senior captains and Heather Brooks, who was a transfer last year and has dominated since day one, I have no doubt in my mind that leadership would even be a concern this year."
McGreevy was also quick to mention two underclassmen with strong performances for the team thus far: freshman Katie Thomas, a libero from Wappingers Falls, NY, and sophomore Samantha McMillan, a setter from Manassas, VA.
"Last year I was just a freshman," McMillan said. "And I was a little intimidated, but now that I have a year of experience, I just play with more confidence and more composure. Plus it doesn't hurt to have a great group of hitters like Heather Brooks, Christine Duffy, Brenda Bailey, and Kendra Sloan to pass to."