The Seawolves 2007 season is shaping up to be a very productive and exciting one. So far the team holds a record of 14-7 overall, and 2-1 in conference play. Led by Seniors and team captains Morgan Sweany (Mission Viejo, Calif.), Amy Oleksiej (Coram, NY) and Kaitlyn Deutsch (St. Louis, Mo.), the girls are all doing their part to ensure more victories. Head Coach Deb Matejka-Deslauriers stated that, ‘The 2007 season is well underway and our team features a good mix of veteran strength and youthful talent.’
This season’s team features a mix of talent from both New York and around the world. The squad features middle blocker Jessica Graham (Eastport, N.Y.), outside hitter Gulce Dikecligil (Istanbul, Turkey) and libero Noelle Bay (Selden, N.Y.), all returning players from last year.
New to the team this year is middle blocker Ashley Headen (Alexandria, Va.), outside hitter Jeanette Gibbs (Port Jefferson Station, N.Y.), outside hitter Alicia Nelson (Eastview, Minn.), outside hitter Linda Weber (Dachau, Germany) and outside hitter Jackie Ahlers (Stony Point, N.Y.). The sophomores on this year’s team include setter Samantha Filipek (Washington, Mich.), middle blocker Lindsey Gordon (No. Patchogue, N.Y.), middle blocker Justine Hoffman (Wading River, N.Y.), defensive specialist Jamie Watson (New York, N.Y.), and defensive specialist Amanda Steen (New York, N.Y.).
Seniors Jackie Ahlers and Kaitlyn Deutsch were named America East Women’s Volleyball Player and Setter of the Week, respectively, on Tuesday, Oct. 9. These two played a major role in leading the Seawolves to a couple of conference victories over UMBC and Binghamton last weekend. Ahlers had 43 kills (6.14 kpg) and an attack percentage of .446. Ahlers also gathered a match-high 22 kills at a .600 clip in the 3-0 sweep of the Retrievers on Friday night. She then continued on and achieved 21 kills and an attack percentage of .333 in Stony Brook’s 3-1 victory over Binghamton on Sunday. This is Ahlers second award this year.
Deutsch averaged 14.71 assists per game in the Seawolves’ successive wins last week. The senior hit at a .667 clip and tallied 59 assists in the 3-1 victory over Binghamton, which set the Stony Brook four-game match assist record in the meantime. Deutsch added 44 assists during the sweep of UMBC last Friday night. On top of all this, she contributed 10 and 11 digs against the Retrievers and Bearcats.
Coach Matejka-Deslauriers has high hopes for the team when they take on Albany Homecoming weekend. ‘We hope you return for Wolfstock 2007 to cheer us on to victory Friday night against Albany before enjoying all of the homecoming festivities on Saturday afternoon,’ she stated. Before taking on the Albany Great Danes on Homecoming Weekend, the Seawolves will hit the road to take on New Hampshire, Maine and Hartford.
