Messiah Chosen Fourth In Conference Pre-Season Coaches' Poll
Head coach Judi Tobias enters her 14th year at the helm in 2009, and looks to guide Messiah back to Commonwealth Championship contention.
Annville, PA — If Messiah hopes to win the 2009 Commonwealth Conference Championship, it will have to do it in upset fashion.
At least, by the opinions of the league’s coaches.
Messiah was picked to finish fourth in the annual pre-season coaches’ poll, the league announced Thursday, the exact same place the Falcons found themselves at the conclusion of the 2008 season. Messiah qualified as the final seed for the ’08 Commonwealth Tournament but dropped a 3-0 defeat to top-seeded Lebanon Valley College, which went on to capture the post-season crown.
Not surprisingly, Lebanon Valley was selected as the pre-season favorite in Thursday’s poll, garnering five of the seven available first-place votes en route to 55 points overall.
The Dutchmen earned a spot in the last year’s NCAA tournament as they earned a pair of shutout wins in the Commonwealth Tournament, beginning with its defeat of Messiah and concluding with a 3-0 championship win over second-seeded Elizabethtown College. In the NCAA tournament, Lebanon Valley fell to Carnegie Mellon University in the opening round by a score of 3-0.
For the first time in program history, Lebanon Valley (33-3, 6-0) will enter a volleyball season as the defending champions. Head coach Wayne Perry enters his 23rd season with the majority of his 2008 team returning. The Dutchmen will be paced by honorable mention All-American Joelle Snyder. The junior led the Commonwealth Conference with 450 kills (3.69/set) and hit at a .371 clip for the season. In all, LVC brings back its top seven attackers from its title team. At the net, the Dutchmen have lost 2008 Player of the Year Erin Yost. While most teams would have trouble replacing one of the best setters in program history, LVC is primed to continue its run of strong set-up women with Emily Perkins. The junior has over 1,000 assists in her two years on the court – including 781 in her freshman campaign. Last year, she averaged 9.59 assists per set.
Elizabethtown (16-20, 5-1) earned second place in the preseason poll and earned one first place vote. The Blue Jays have accumulated a 148-83 record during the past seven years, including the 2007 Commonwealth Conference championship and appearances in the conference finals in each of the last three years. The Blue Jays return a trio of all-conference players from a year ago. Senior outside hitter Paige Tanner was selected first team. Tanner led her team in kills (426) and was third in the conference. Middle hitters Kayla Deats and Kelsey Hayes earned second team recognition. Deats led the team with 103 blocks and was second on the team in kills (247). Hayes landed 172 kills and was second on the team with blocks (52).
Widener (26-10, 4-2) landed the third spot in the coaches poll earning one first place vote. The squad has many quality players back, including four all-conference honorees. Widener last season exploded to a school-record 26 victories and advanced to the ECAC South Tournament for its first postseason appearance. Among the standout returnees are senior Devan Green, who last season was tabbed first team All-Commonwealth. A dominant player with solid hitting and blocking skills, senior Julianne Gryn has been one of the Pride’s most important players the last three years with her defensive awareness and overall team play, helping her to be named first team all-conference. Sophomore Jamie Ballew stepped into the setter role last season and was named conference Rookie of the Year and second team all-conference. Senior Danielle Wetling was named second team all-conference. Wetling has great leaping ability and a solid swing.
Messiah (19-7, 3-4) rounded out the top four in the preseason poll, perhaps arriving at that spot with a cloak of mystery surrounding the program. True, 14th-year head coach Judi Tobias returns sophomores Cassy Diamond (1.68 kpg) and Brynn Lettieri (.227 attack percentage) up front and a veteran setter in senior Lauren Bourdon (619 assists), but much of Messiah’s pending success will rest on the shoulders of newcomers: The Falcons boast five first-year players on their roster, while all but three roster spots are comprised by freshmen or sophomores.
Regardless of newness, Messiah will be looking to advance to the Commonwealth Championship after two straight years of seeing its season end in the league semi-finals, both times at the hands of Lebanon Valley.
Lycoming’s (14-18, 1-5) junior middle hitter Megan Schulze returns to the front line hoping to have another outstanding season. In 2008, she ranked third for the Warriors with 133 kills on 441 attempts for a team second-best 18.6 attack percentage. Senior Abby Myers and sophomore Amy Sharlow will again split time at setter. Last season, Myers posted 380 assists while Sharlow tallied a team-high 501. Leading the back line will be sophomore libero Emily Abel. She picked up 681 digs, averaging 5.87 a game. Sharlow will also contribute on defense after recording 275 digs in 2008.
Albright (5-30, 1-5) based on last years results, Albright will have their work cut out for them this season, but they do have several upperclassmen returning. Leading the group this season will be seniors Cassie Campbell and Christina Yatron. Campbell will once again be the red and white’s top middle blocker, while Yatron will be one of the team’s top hitters on the outside. They will also be joined by juniors Lauren Higgins, Jill Bontitatibus, and Kelly Nicodemus. The leadership of this experienced group may help revitalize Albright Volleyball.
Arcadia (7-12, 1-5) head coach Tony Carpenter welcomes seven newcomers to the lineup in ’09. Outside hitter Natasha Wetten will be heavily utilized along with defensive specialist Jennifer Ihle. Middle hitter Hailey Barger will return as the Knight’s top hitter from ’08.
Alvernia was unable to recover from a 2-7 start and ended the season at a disappointing 5-16 (1-7 Freedom). This season they will make the jump to the Commonwealth side. With the loss of only one senior, the outlook for 2009 looks promising. Alyssa Soltis returns as the teams top hitter with 161 kills.
2009 Commonwealth Conference Volleyball Pre-Season Poll
1. Lebanon Valley — 55 points (5)
2. Elizabethtown — 49 points (1)
3. Widener — 47 points (1)
4. Messiah — 41 points
5. Lycoming — 31 points
6t. Albright — 24 points
6t. Arcadia — 24 points
8. Alvernia — 17 points
( ) first place votes in parentheses
This press release was provided by the Middle Atlantic States Collegiate Athletic Corporation and the Commonwealth Conference.
