Chris Ferrick-Manley
Staff Reporter
Last year the Green Terror volleyball team (currently 2-1, 0-0 CC) was the only fall sports team to make the conference playoffs, before falling in the Centennial Conference finals against Haverford. This year’s team will be younger however, graduating four seniors and losing Alice Hardwick who transferred.
According to Head Coach Carole Molloy, who was also named an Assistant Athletic Director this summer, the team should be competitive despite losses. Molloy told her players that it was “realistic” to be in conference tournament and competing for a championship again. Three of the four players who graduated in the spring of 2008 were outside hitters, affecting more the team’s depth, explained Molloy.
According to Molloy, six of the returning players from the last season’s conference runner-up team were key players: Jenna Filipone, Lanni Reisinger, Kristie Fourcade, Sara Hanlon, Kristen Nuckles, and Taylor Herrgott. Everyone on the team saw playing time in the season opening non-conference matches against York and Swarthmore.
“Its good to know we can call on people if we need them,” said Molloy.
Nuckles, who was named a team captain in just her sophomore year, believes the positive team chemistry will increase the Terror’s chances of winning. According to Nuckles, last year’s team relied more on a few players, while this year the team’s ability to win “rests on the whole team”.
“I have high hopes for this season,” said Nuckles.
Amy Tignanelli, a senior captain, also likes the chances of the Terror to contend for the conference title this year.
“I don’t see why there is any reason we should not be back in the championship,” said Tignanelli.
She also believes that the loss of the starters from last year should not cause the team any problems because their teamwork and talent will be able to overcome it.
“This year is going to be a lot about teamwork,” said Tignanelli.
Johns Hopkins, who McDaniel defeated in the conference tournament last fall, was predicted to finish first in the preseason coaches poll. Other top teams in the Centennial Conference appear to be Haverford, F&M, and Gettysburg; according to Molloy.
“There is a lot more parity in the conference for volleyball,” said Molloy “can’t take any game lightly.”
The next home match for the Green Terror is at 1 p.m. Saturday, September 20 against Muhlenberg.