It’s a start to a fresh new season for Coach Deborah Matejka-DesLauries and her volleyball team. The season looks like a winning one as the team has seven new players who hope to take them all the way to the championship and improve their last year’s record of 12-18.
The team’s new players include two transfers and five freshmen. ‘This season we have Kaitlyn Deutsch 5’10’ junior lefty setter who transferred from Southern Mississippi,’ said Matejka-DesLauries. ‘Kaitlyn is a strong dynamic player with great court awareness. She will be our starting setter for the 2006 season.’ Another new transfer on the team is Megan Roehl, a 5’11’ junior middle blocker, who came from Fresno Community College. ‘Megan is a very athletic player who will bring quickness and power to our offense. We will be looking for Kaitlyn and Megan to contribute to our team right away,’ Matejka-DesLauries said.
Many returning players have come back this season ready to take the team to the top with only two seniors graduating this past season. Sarah Bauer is a senior middle blocker returning from a knee injury from last season. Claire Lindner, senior a libero is ready to help her team again this season. Morgan Sweany and Amy Okeksiej, junior outside hitters, are key returning players both offensively and defensively. They both received the 2005 American East All Tournament Honors, and Morgan was selected to the first team All Conference.
The team is ready for any new challenges as they are very prepared this season. The team is looking strong and pumped to play their first matches. ‘We plan to have a winning season in 2006,’ said Matejka-DesLauries. ‘Our goal is to return to the America East Championships and make a run at our first America East Title. We fell short last year losing to Binghamton in the finals.’
But it isn’t going to be an easy season, as the team goes up against some of the toughest and strongest teams in their league. Binghamton and Albany will be very competitive teams to face. ‘Our schedule is very competitive this season which will prepare us for the conference season,’ Matejka-DesLauries said. ‘We are playing Ohio University, Maryland, Marquette and St. John’s’. The team is facing some top teams, but isn’t shaken’ and is’ more determined than last year. Coach Matejka-DesLauries has no worries about her team with her new and old players. ‘We are looking forward to working with a talented group of new players. Our team has more depth than last year. I am looking forward to what the future holds for this group of young women.’
The team has a busy schedule this season, but it’ is excited to’ kick off the season with new players and a new attitude. The Seawolves first match is away on August 25th against LIU. The first home game for the team is September 8th, a double header against Siena and Ohio University.
