8.22.06
CHARLESTON FAVORED IN WVIAC VOLLEYBALL RACE
GOLDEN EAGLES HOLD SLIGHT EDGE OVER WVSU,
WJU IN COACHES' POLL
August 22, 2006
Two-time defending WVIAC Tournament champion Charleston is a narrow favorite in the battle for the 2006 West Virginia Conference volleyball title. Bren Stevens' Golden Eagles received seven first place votes to grab the top spot.
Upstart West Virginia State grabbed four first place votes to claim the second position in the annual pre-season coaches' poll. Wheeling Jesuit, winners of the past four WVIAC regular season championships, was third. The Cardinals received the other three first place nods.
Fairmont State, West Virginia Wesleyan, Davis & Elkins, and Shepherd round out the top half of the poll. Alderson-Broaddus, Glenville State, West Liberty State, Salem International, Concord, and Ohio Valley formed a tightly packed bunch between eighth and thirteenth spots. Bluefield State brought up the rear in the rankings.
New conference members Pitt Johnstown and Seton Hill are not eligible for the 2006 WVIAC title, but both schools' athletes are eligible for individual awards and honors this season. Each will play a full league schedule in 2007.
Charleston (29-11, 17-1) has virtually everyone back from last season's NCAA Tournament squad. First team All-WVIAC honorees Katy Skelley (6-0, Jr.., MH) and Rebecca LaBrake (5-11, Jr., OH) key the UC attack. Setter Sam Meyer (5-10) is the lone senior starter. Junior Roslyn Adams (5-9, OH) was a second team all-conference pick in 2005.
West Virginia State (24-13, 15-3) has climbed among the conference's elite under fifth-year head coach Shannon Gerencir. Senior setter Taryn Haas (5-5) is the reigning WVIAC Player of the Year after leading the league in assists (12.89 apg) in 2005. Leah Wilson (5-8, Sr., OH) and Blair Ruddle (5-6, Jr., OH) are two of the conference's top hitting threats. Libero Dave Kaltenecker (5-7, Sr.) paced the WVIAC in digs last season.
Wheeling Jesuit (21-17, 17-1) has won the conference regular season title during all four seasons under Christy Benner, posting a 67-1 mark during that span. The Cards must replace three starters, but return all-conference libero Vanessa Lepore. Middle blocker Brandi Sroka (5-9, Jr.) and outside hitter Caitlin Carey (5-11, Soph.) pace the WJU attack.
Veteran head coach Larry Hill usually has his Fairmont State (20-19, 14-4) squad in the thick of the WVIAC race. 6'3" outside hitter Staci Skinner (Jr.), a first team All-WVIAC pick in 2005, is among the conference's top players. Setter Keri Blank (5-6, Sr.) guides the offense and provides senior leadership. Tiffany Board (5-9, MH, Sr.) is another key for FSU.
West Virginia Wesleyan (18-16, 15-3) only returns one starter and has a new coach in April DeCoste. Sara Collins (5-9, Jr., S/DS) is the lone returning starter from 2005. Sophomore Maria Broslawsky (6-2, MH) came on strong late in the season last year. Caitlyn Smyth (5-11, Jr., OH) will play a big role after missing last season.
Davis & Elkins (18-16, 11-7) was one of the conference's surprise teams in 2005. The Senators welcome back five starters from that squad, including sophomore middle hitter Ashlynn Nuckols (6-1). Nuckols led the conference with a .373 hitting percentage in 2005. 6'2" middle hitter Jennifer Pell and Krystal Warden (5-9, Jr., OH) are among the other returnees at D&E.
Shepherd (14-19, 10-8) is led by a trio of players that recorded 230 or more kills last year. Seniors Susanna Hill (5-8, OH) and Lauren Durbin (5-11, MH) are back for their final go-around at SU. Kori Ford (5-9, Jr., MB/OH) is also an offensive option for head coach Sarah Smith's Rams.
Alderson-Broaddus (7-23, 7-11) suffered an uncharacteristic down year for the Battlers in 2005. Seniors Kati Michelinie (5-10, OH), Amanda Long (5-7, RS), and Brittany Hagerty (5-7, L) look to turn things around for A-B in 2006.
Glenville State (3-28, 3-15) will be bolstered by a highly touted incoming class of eight players. Candice Silberschatz (5-8, Jr., OH) and Gina Adams (5-9, Jr., MH) are the top holdovers. Second-year head coach Lee Anderson is high on the prospects of rookies Kim Wilson (5-9, S), Lauren Saelens (5-10, MH), and Jennifer Hecht (5-7, L).
West Liberty State (2-24, 2-16) is another squad that is taking the youth route. Genoa Moxley's Hilltoppers will replace their entire lineup. Freshmen Lauren Albury (5-11, MB), Kelli Moore (5-10, MB), Brittany Shelton (5-10, MB), and Carey Thomas (5-6, DS/OH) will make an immediate impact.
Salem International (8-13, 8-10) counts on the power of 6'2" hitter Andrea Bokun (Jr.), the conference's leader with nearly five kills per game in 2005. Kim Scheer (5-10, Jr., P), Ellie Bliss (5-5, Soph., S), are among five returning starters for head coach Gerry Szabo.
Concord (13-19, 8-10) has four starters from last season on hand. Senior middle hitter Lindsey Fancett (6-0, Sr.) earned honorable mention all-conference honors in 2005. Jenna Karbonit (5-6, Jr., RS), Hope Campbell (6-0, Soph., MH), and Bekah Wimmer (5-8, Jr., OH/S) return for the Mountain Lions.
Ohio Valley (10-29, 5-13) pulled off an upset of Davis & Elkins in the opening round of last season's WVIAC Tournament. Juniors Kristan Ashbrook (5-7, OH), Michelle Morrison (5-10, OH), and Amy Graham (5-6, S) hope to bring that momentum into the new season.
Bluefield State (6-17, 3-15) is looking to avoid a long year as the Lady Blues have a thin roster and new coaching staff.
Seton Hill (27-8) brings a strong volleyball program into the WVIAC. Head coach Rick Hall owns a 489-239 mark during his 20-year tenure at the helm of the Griffins. Outside hitters Reigh Steban (5-9, Soph.), Jessica Lesniewski (5-8, Jr.), and Crista Canfield (5-9, Jr.) each recorded 249 kills or more last year.
Pitt Johnstown (11-18) has five starters back, including senior outside hitter Abby Hrescak (5-9). Hrescak led the Mountain Cats with 252 kills in 2005. Ashley Brant (5-5, DS), Sarah Davison (5-7, S), and Erin Sines (5-8, MH) provide senior leadership for UPJ.
The WVIAC Volleyball Tournament returns to the Kanawha Valley for a second consecutive season. The Charleston Catholic Sports Complex will host the November 2-4 event. An automatic bid into the NCAA post-season awaits the victor.
WVIAC volleyball gets underway on Thursday with a pair of matches. Concord hosts Pikeville (KY) and Glenville State is home for a matchup with Bridgeport (CT).
2006 WVIAC Volleyball Coaches' Poll:
1. Charleston (7) 186
2. West Virginia State (4) 177
3. Wheeling Jesuit (3) 173
4. Fairmont State 147
5. West Virginia Wesleyan 133
6. Davis & Elkins 115
7. Shepherd 112
8. Alderson-Broaddus 77
9. Glenville State 74
10. West Liberty State 68
11. Salem International 67
12. Concord 59
13. Ohio Valley 57
14. Bluefield State 16
Note: Seton Hill and Pitt Johnstown are not eligible for the 2006 WVIAC volleyball title.