Nazareth Edges Elmira in Empire 8 Women’s Volleyball Poll
ROCHESTER, NY – “Transition” will be the preeminent word used early and often during the Empire 8 Athletic Conference’s 2012 volleyball season. While the conference’s strength still appears to be in place, more than half of the teams experienced coaching turnover in the offseason, creating a very different landscape on the sidelines.
However, change isn’t necessarily a bad thing, and two different kinds of optimism run rampant throughout the Empire 8 volleyball community. The first centers on returning strength and the hope for continued success. The second comes hand-in-hand with coaching change – the promise of renewed dedication and new direction inspires a different wave of optimism. The two combine to promise one intriguing season.
Heading into the season, the Empire 8 coaches agree that Nazareth is the team to beat, as the Golden Flyer’s claimed the top spot in the 2012 Volleyball Preseason Coaches’ Poll. Nazareth received seven first-place votes and racked up 63 total points to earn the role of preseason favorite. Last year’s runner-up, Elmira, received two first-place votes and 58 points and were picked to be Nazareth’s toughest test in 2012.
Who’s Back?
Nazareth (26-13, 5-2 Empire 8) is the reigning conference champion after winning its second Empire 8 title and first since 2006. The Golden Flyers will look to Empire 8 Rookie of the Year and second team All-Conference outside hitter Maria Allocco (268 kills, 83 blocks) to lead the charge. Allocco, who was fourth in the Empire 8 with a .306 attack percentage, is joined by second teamer Aubrey Cooke (927 assists) and honorable mention pick Chelsea Beecher (232 k, 247 d).
Elmira returns a ton of talent from their 28-8 team in 2011 that went 6-1 in conference play. Leading the way again is outside hitter Sasha Zavadska, back for her senior year after earning Empire 8 Player of the Year honors for the second straight season. The three-time All-Conference and All-American selection led Elmira with 490 kills, averaging 3.68 kills with her 2.63 digs per set. Setter Molly Short, a second team all-conference selection, was the catalyst for the offense as she tallied 1219 assists. She was responsible for 80 percent of the Soaring Eagle’s assists and averaged a conference best 9.52 per game. Taryn Rumsey pounded out 315 kills and tallied a team high 377 digs and 74 aces in 2011 to earn honorable mention.
The Ducks (15-23, 5-2) are looking to rebound from their first sub-.500 record since 2001. Outside hitter Maggie Kowalska has received first-team accolades all three seasons she has been at Stevens. Kowalska led the Ducks in kills (456), digs (312) and service aces (61), while her 89 blocks were good for second on the squad.?? Middle blocker Chrissy Dickinson earned her second-straight honorable mention nod in as many years as a Duck. She was tops on the team with 120 total blocks and second with 336 kills.
Ithaca (21-15, 4-3) will definitely be transitioning in 2012 after losing five seniors to graduation who all saw significant playing time including two all-conference selections. Right-side Marissa Weil returns to the attack after tallying 244 kills and 48 blocks. The Bombers strength will be on the defensive side of the ball as Nicki Readie (335 d) and Marrisa Woodcome (309 d) return to the backcourt.
St. John Fisher College (20-12, 5-2) welcomes back a trio of All-Conference choices in defensive specialist Kelsey Osborne, middle Rachael Kline (281 k, 72 bk) and hitter Mandi Mereness (168 k, 69 bk). Osborne, the 2011 Empire 8 Defensive Specialist of the Year, posted a league-best 546 digs, while Kline ranked sixth with a .259 hitting percentage.
Hartwick (13-20, 2-5) has two key seniors to replace from its 2011 squad, including first team choice Courtney Desmond. Looking to pick up the offense will be hitter Dana Martin (230 k) and setter Shannon McGee (612 ast). Brianna Eckert (377 d) returns as the lead libero.
Alfred (10-17, 1-6) welcomes back its honorable mention performer from 2011 in hitter Chelsea Hall (259 k, 42 aces). Her 2.82 kills per game ranked seventh in Empire 8. Hall will be joined by setter Janelle Gallipeau (6.87 ast/set) and libero Brittany Anselment (358 d).
Utica (3-31, 0-7) is looking to improve its win total from a year ago and has a good chance of doing so as the Pioneer’s roster in 2011 featured all but one underclassman. Outside hitter Alyssa Nicotera (176 k) and middle Haley Strife (104 k, 43 bk) led the offense, while Leah Kazalski (127 d) was the primary defensive specialist.
Who’s new?
Four of the five new head coaches are no strangers to Empire 8 volleyball. Kelly Greapentrog resumes her post as the St. John Fisher College head coach, having served in the same position from 2007-09. Most recently, Greapentrog was the head coach at The College at Brockport. In her three previous seasons at Fisher, Greapentrog compiled a 56-48 record, including two trips to the Empire 8 Tournament.
James Clar becomes Hartwick’s third coach in program history. Clar previously served as an assistant with Nazareth College for the last three seasons, and helped lead a young Golden Flyers' team to its first Empire 8 Championship in five years and its first NCAA Tournament appearance in six seasons.
Nicole Higgins isn’t a stranger either. Higgins was named the interim head coach of the Utica College volleyball team in January, after spending one season as an assistant coach for UC.
The final familiar face is Elaina Braun as the Saxon’s new coach. Braun played her final two seasons of collegiate competition at St. John Fisher (2008 and 2009) under Greapentrog. Braun comes to Alfred University from the Crossroads Volleyball Club and a season stint at Waterloo High School.
The only newcomer to the group is – Steven’s Institute of Technology’s Glenn DeHaven. DeHaven, formerly an assistant at Transylvania University, will be the fourth coach in the program’s 26-year history on Castle Point.
Though some of the faces have changed, the top three teams from a year ago return with the same guidance on the sidelines.
New Team on the Court
The 2012 season marks the inclusion of Houghton College as a competing Empire 8 program. The Highlanders are not eligible for post-season play but will complete a full league schedule. Houghton (6-26 overall) returns its top two attackers from a year ago in Rebecca Dennee (279 k, 47 bk) and Brianna Starks (221 k). Jamie Green paced the offense by dishing out 4.92 assists per set and Laurel Wroblicky totaled 504 digs on defense.
Dates to remember
Empire 8 women’s volleyball fans don’t have long to wait to see their favorite teams in action. The 2012 season officially begins on Friday, August 31 and Saturday, September 1 with five of the nine schools taking the court. The conference tournament will feature two semifinal matches on Friday, Nov. 2 and the championship on Saturday, Nov. 3 with the top seed of the four qualifying teams serving as the host.
Follow Online
If you can’t make it out to the game be sure to check if Live Stats are available or better yet the game may be web streamed courtesy of EzStream. Be sure to check out the schedule of streamed events by visiting
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A closer look
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2012 Empire 8 Women’s Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll
|
1. Nazareth (7 first place votes) |
63 pts |
|
2. Elmira (2) |
58 |
|
3. Stevens Institute of Technology |
46 |
|
4. Ithaca |
43 |
|
5. St. John Fisher College |
39 |
|
6. Hartwick |
27 |
|
7. Houghton |
20 |
|
8. Alfred |
16 |
|
9. Utica |
12 |