Post by elon_phan on Aug 23, 2007 21:14:57 GMT -5
Phoenix counts on tall order helping in volleyball
Bob Sutton / Times-News
August 23, 2007 6:56 PM
ELON — A little taller and a little more experienced could make the Elon University volleyball team quite a bit better.
That’s what fifth-year coach Mary Tendler is hoping happens.
“I think the talent on the team is better than it has been in years,” Tendler said Thursday. “We have some veteran people and we have some newcomers who will have significant roles.”
The Phoenix is coming off a 13-18 season, including a 9-9 Southern Conference mark.
“We’re a little bit bigger at the net this year,” Tendler said.
Senior middle blocker Emily Lucci, a 6-foot middle blocker, is one of the team’s cornerstones. A pair of 6-1 freshmen could make immediate contributions. Sarah Schermerhorn out of Southwest Guilford and Lauren Copenhagen are expected to be tough around the net.
They’ll go with returning starters Britany Westphal and Jessica Barrow, who are outside hitters.
Elon should have better ball control with the addition of junior Kelly Blakewood, a North Carolina State transfer. Returning setters Natalie Moore, a senior, and Emily Regan, a sophomore, were regulars a year ago. The team’s depth should be enhanced by juniors Stefanie Meyers and Shelley MacBean and sophomore Mandy Wilson, all contributors last year.
Last year, the Phoenix dealt College of Charleston its only Southern Conference setback and defeated Georgia Southern for the first time since joining the league.
The Phoenix starts its season today against Norfolk State as part of a tournament at North Carolina Central in Durham. Next week, the team plays host to the Elon Volleyball Classic at Alumni Gym.
MEN'S SOCCER
The Phoenix, under third-year coach Darren Powell, will try to build on last year’s 10-8-2 record. Sophomores and freshmen make up more than half of the team’s players.
Either junior Kyle Boerner or freshman Clint Irwin will move into the primary role at goalkeeper. Boerner made three starts last season, while Irwin, who’s from Charlotte, arrives highly acclaimed.
Freshmen will have to fill holes on the defense, but sophomore Steven Kinney is a solid anchor for the defense. Andrew Johnson returns after missing 2006 with an injury.
The midfield is deeper with senior Alex Barake, junior Will Mason and sophomores Justin Wyatt, Clint Collins, Erfan Imeni (out of Williams High School) and Daniel Street. Wyatt is the leading returning scorer with four goals and two assists a year ago.
The big questions could come at the offensive end because Kiki Willis and Nick Aparicio left early after last season. Willis bolted for a professional contract after two college seasons, while Aparicio, who played one season for Elon, pursued soccer on an international level. Powell said with those departures there’s an extra challenge and opportunity for the team.
Senior Douglas Boateng, who has been injury-riddled, is a capable scorer and senior Brett Paschall is a regular scoring threat. Junior Aaron Parker scored twice last year.
The opener comes Sept. 1 at William & Mary. The schedule includes road games against Atlantic Coast Conference foes Clemson and Wake Forest and a home game Oct. 16 against North Carolina.
WOMEN'S SOCCER
This is a young team in coach Chris Webb’s third season. The Phoenix hopes that a recruiting class that received one rating as the second-best in the Southern Conference can provide immediate relief.
Goalkeeper Kaitlin Lannon is the lone senior, though the top player at that position is junior Lizz Johnson. Junior Katina Boozer is the top returning scorer with three goals and an assist last year. Sophomore Molly Calpin had three goals in her first college season.
The freshman class includes Megan Deutschle and Maggie Duszlak, both out of Williams High School.
The team opens next Friday night against visiting Central Michigan before a five-game stretch, including visits to Duke and Virginia Tech, away from home.
MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY
Jackie Sgambati is in her fourth season coaching the team. Senior Eric Garren of Bristol, Conn., was the 2006 team Most Valuable Player.
The first meet is next Friday at Wake Forest.
WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY
Sgambati is in her eighth season with the women’s team. Catlin Beeler, a sophomore from Cary, is coming off a season when she won Southern Conference Rookie of the Year honors. Junior Anna Mae Flynn of Banner Elk is the two-time team MVP.
Bob Sutton / Times-News
August 23, 2007 6:56 PM
ELON — A little taller and a little more experienced could make the Elon University volleyball team quite a bit better.
That’s what fifth-year coach Mary Tendler is hoping happens.
“I think the talent on the team is better than it has been in years,” Tendler said Thursday. “We have some veteran people and we have some newcomers who will have significant roles.”
The Phoenix is coming off a 13-18 season, including a 9-9 Southern Conference mark.
“We’re a little bit bigger at the net this year,” Tendler said.
Senior middle blocker Emily Lucci, a 6-foot middle blocker, is one of the team’s cornerstones. A pair of 6-1 freshmen could make immediate contributions. Sarah Schermerhorn out of Southwest Guilford and Lauren Copenhagen are expected to be tough around the net.
They’ll go with returning starters Britany Westphal and Jessica Barrow, who are outside hitters.
Elon should have better ball control with the addition of junior Kelly Blakewood, a North Carolina State transfer. Returning setters Natalie Moore, a senior, and Emily Regan, a sophomore, were regulars a year ago. The team’s depth should be enhanced by juniors Stefanie Meyers and Shelley MacBean and sophomore Mandy Wilson, all contributors last year.
Last year, the Phoenix dealt College of Charleston its only Southern Conference setback and defeated Georgia Southern for the first time since joining the league.
The Phoenix starts its season today against Norfolk State as part of a tournament at North Carolina Central in Durham. Next week, the team plays host to the Elon Volleyball Classic at Alumni Gym.
MEN'S SOCCER
The Phoenix, under third-year coach Darren Powell, will try to build on last year’s 10-8-2 record. Sophomores and freshmen make up more than half of the team’s players.
Either junior Kyle Boerner or freshman Clint Irwin will move into the primary role at goalkeeper. Boerner made three starts last season, while Irwin, who’s from Charlotte, arrives highly acclaimed.
Freshmen will have to fill holes on the defense, but sophomore Steven Kinney is a solid anchor for the defense. Andrew Johnson returns after missing 2006 with an injury.
The midfield is deeper with senior Alex Barake, junior Will Mason and sophomores Justin Wyatt, Clint Collins, Erfan Imeni (out of Williams High School) and Daniel Street. Wyatt is the leading returning scorer with four goals and two assists a year ago.
The big questions could come at the offensive end because Kiki Willis and Nick Aparicio left early after last season. Willis bolted for a professional contract after two college seasons, while Aparicio, who played one season for Elon, pursued soccer on an international level. Powell said with those departures there’s an extra challenge and opportunity for the team.
Senior Douglas Boateng, who has been injury-riddled, is a capable scorer and senior Brett Paschall is a regular scoring threat. Junior Aaron Parker scored twice last year.
The opener comes Sept. 1 at William & Mary. The schedule includes road games against Atlantic Coast Conference foes Clemson and Wake Forest and a home game Oct. 16 against North Carolina.
WOMEN'S SOCCER
This is a young team in coach Chris Webb’s third season. The Phoenix hopes that a recruiting class that received one rating as the second-best in the Southern Conference can provide immediate relief.
Goalkeeper Kaitlin Lannon is the lone senior, though the top player at that position is junior Lizz Johnson. Junior Katina Boozer is the top returning scorer with three goals and an assist last year. Sophomore Molly Calpin had three goals in her first college season.
The freshman class includes Megan Deutschle and Maggie Duszlak, both out of Williams High School.
The team opens next Friday night against visiting Central Michigan before a five-game stretch, including visits to Duke and Virginia Tech, away from home.
MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY
Jackie Sgambati is in her fourth season coaching the team. Senior Eric Garren of Bristol, Conn., was the 2006 team Most Valuable Player.
The first meet is next Friday at Wake Forest.
WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY
Sgambati is in her eighth season with the women’s team. Catlin Beeler, a sophomore from Cary, is coming off a season when she won Southern Conference Rookie of the Year honors. Junior Anna Mae Flynn of Banner Elk is the two-time team MVP.