Golden Eagles make presence felt
By Christopher Wade
Charleston Daily Mail
The tradition-rich University of Charleston volleyball program is selfish.
The Golden Eagles don't want anyone to win a conference title but themselves.
That's what made the 2006 season so difficult to accept.
Not only did UC not capture the West Virginia Conference tournament championship, but the Golden Eagles also suffered the indignity of having to watch arch-rival West Virginia State win the title.
The UC players definitely didn't want to have to go through that feeling again this season.
That's what made the Golden Eagles' 30-16, 32-34, 30-28, 30-23 victory over the defending champion Yellow Jackets just a little sweeter Tuesday at Eddie King Gym.
"Last year was the worst feeling I've ever felt in my four years," said UC senior middle hitter Katy Skelley. "We talked about it and it really motivated us to play better this season."
UC senior Roslyn Adams thinks the team learned from the humbling experience.
"It was very heart-breaking and gave us some perspective," she said. "It was a learning experience. It motivated us to take it all the way this season."
Charleston Coach Bren Stevens guided the Golden Eagles to back-to-back WVC Tournament championships in 2004 and 2005 and wants to again lead the Golden Eagles back to the top of the league.
"We had gone to the NCAA Tournament two years in a row and the girls didn't like that feeling of not going again last season," Stevens said.
"However, State played very well last season and were very talented. They played extremely well and deserved to win the conference championship."
UC was picked to win the conference title in the pre-season poll and with the victory over State Tuesday, sits atop the standings with a 7-0 record in league play.
Adams and the rest of the Eagles understood the importance of the State match and are playing with a lot of confidence.
"It's us and State," Adams said. "It's always a good match and with everything that went on last season, made it even better. This win really meant a lot and can only build up a lot of confidence."
The Golden Eagles have a lot of senior leadership with Adams, Skelley and Rebecca LaBrake all returning. All three were first-team All-WVC selections last season.
Seniors Amanda Wakeman, Ashleigh Fitterer and Amy Jane Dill also play significant minutes for UC.
"I've been grooming them for four years," Stevens said. "They all understand the expectations and it's been a pleasure to coach them.
"Katy is probably one of the most talented middle hitters the league has ever had. Roslyn is probably the hardest working player I've ever had."
Meanwhile, Stevens has some talented underclassmen as well. Three freshmen including Jami Turill, Megan Geiger and Katherine Contrestano; and sophomore Laura Buckalew all play considerable minutes.
Contrestano and Geiger combined for 23 winning serves while Turill and Buckalew, a Capital graduate, combined for 23 winning kills.
"The big thing about all the younger players is that they are all real hard workers and are really stepping up even more," Adams said.
Stevens particularly was impressed with Buckalew.
"All of our freshmen are doing extremely well," Stevens said. "This was a breakout game for Laura Buckalew. She really turned it on tonight."
With all the senior leadership the Golden Eagles possess, combined with all their talented underclassmen, UC appears to once again be headed to reclaiming the top spot in the conference.
"This is it for the seniors," Adams said. "We have to play our hardest and best. It's one step at a time. Our goal is to win each game in the conference and, hopefully, the conference title again."
Charleston Daily Mail
The tradition-rich University of Charleston volleyball program is selfish.
The Golden Eagles don't want anyone to win a conference title but themselves.
That's what made the 2006 season so difficult to accept.
Not only did UC not capture the West Virginia Conference tournament championship, but the Golden Eagles also suffered the indignity of having to watch arch-rival West Virginia State win the title.
The UC players definitely didn't want to have to go through that feeling again this season.
That's what made the Golden Eagles' 30-16, 32-34, 30-28, 30-23 victory over the defending champion Yellow Jackets just a little sweeter Tuesday at Eddie King Gym.
"Last year was the worst feeling I've ever felt in my four years," said UC senior middle hitter Katy Skelley. "We talked about it and it really motivated us to play better this season."
UC senior Roslyn Adams thinks the team learned from the humbling experience.
"It was very heart-breaking and gave us some perspective," she said. "It was a learning experience. It motivated us to take it all the way this season."
Charleston Coach Bren Stevens guided the Golden Eagles to back-to-back WVC Tournament championships in 2004 and 2005 and wants to again lead the Golden Eagles back to the top of the league.
"We had gone to the NCAA Tournament two years in a row and the girls didn't like that feeling of not going again last season," Stevens said.
"However, State played very well last season and were very talented. They played extremely well and deserved to win the conference championship."
UC was picked to win the conference title in the pre-season poll and with the victory over State Tuesday, sits atop the standings with a 7-0 record in league play.
Adams and the rest of the Eagles understood the importance of the State match and are playing with a lot of confidence.
"It's us and State," Adams said. "It's always a good match and with everything that went on last season, made it even better. This win really meant a lot and can only build up a lot of confidence."
The Golden Eagles have a lot of senior leadership with Adams, Skelley and Rebecca LaBrake all returning. All three were first-team All-WVC selections last season.
Seniors Amanda Wakeman, Ashleigh Fitterer and Amy Jane Dill also play significant minutes for UC.
"I've been grooming them for four years," Stevens said. "They all understand the expectations and it's been a pleasure to coach them.
"Katy is probably one of the most talented middle hitters the league has ever had. Roslyn is probably the hardest working player I've ever had."
Meanwhile, Stevens has some talented underclassmen as well. Three freshmen including Jami Turill, Megan Geiger and Katherine Contrestano; and sophomore Laura Buckalew all play considerable minutes.
Contrestano and Geiger combined for 23 winning serves while Turill and Buckalew, a Capital graduate, combined for 23 winning kills.
"The big thing about all the younger players is that they are all real hard workers and are really stepping up even more," Adams said.
Stevens particularly was impressed with Buckalew.
"All of our freshmen are doing extremely well," Stevens said. "This was a breakout game for Laura Buckalew. She really turned it on tonight."
With all the senior leadership the Golden Eagles possess, combined with all their talented underclassmen, UC appears to once again be headed to reclaiming the top spot in the conference.
"This is it for the seniors," Adams said. "We have to play our hardest and best. It's one step at a time. Our goal is to win each game in the conference and, hopefully, the conference title again."