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Printer-Friendly ModeDespite key losses, team sets bar high for 2009
Graduation of Sara Redoute and Carmen Schacher leaves Cardinals with holes to fill
August 31, 2009 —
The women’s volleyball team fought hard until the end last year, and made last season one of the best in school history. However, the Cards were hardly satisfied, and worked relentlessly to ensure an even better season this fall.
With 25 wins last year, the team placed third in the GLIAC, and further advanced on to the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional finals where it placed 24th in the nation.
Even though the girls set such a high bar for themselves last year, they seem to be very confident they will not only meet, but surpass last year’s accomplishments.
“As good as last season was, we felt there were some unfinished goals,” Head coach William Stanton said. “We’re setting our sites a little bit above last year,” he continued. “It’s going to be a challenge to get there, but that’s our plan.”
The team would all agree that among those unfinished goals was defeating Grand Valley.
“In the years that I’ve been playing here, we’ve never beaten them, so that would be cool,” junior middle and outside hitter Jessica Hass said. Last year, GVSU ended the Cardinals season, and offered SVSU half their losses.
“We lost to them four times in a row last year, but I feel like our team is going to be better this year,” sophomore middle hitter Katie Fitzgerald said.
Stanton seems to be equally certain the team will succeed even with the loss of a few key players such as Sara Redoute and Carmen Schacher.
“Sara left a big opportunity for others to step up. She had several skills that are very important, and it’s going to be a little bit of everybody filling her shoes,” Stanton said. “It helps to have so many great returners, like Kait Harris, who was the all conference, all region setter. She has lots of experience.”
Other key returners include outside hitter Allison Schlinkert and middle hitter Jaclyn Carnago, both seniors. As for the juniors, there is outside hitter Andrea Buxton, and opposite hitter Jessica Treiber. Another is sophomore defensive specialist and libero Laura Ward.
Even with so many returning players, seven more girls were recruited this year. Most freshman, such as Sam Breault, are just trying to learn the system so that they can step in next year.
The Cards did their spring workouts while they were at home for the summer break, and when they returned they got to look forward to three-a-day practices in preparation for the upcoming season.
“It’s a lot, but you have to go 100 percent,” Fitzgerald said. Spring workouts. Three-a-day practices. Up to three meets a week.
All of these things might seem overwhelming to anyone but these girls. Dedicated and focused, the team is filled with anticipation as the 2009 campaign is set to kick off.