Stevens Tops Empire 8 Women’s Volleyball Poll
Stevens Institute of Technology picked up six first place votes and 62 total points as the Ducks lead the 2014 Empire 8 Volleyball Preseason Poll. Nazareth College received a trio of top nods and 58 tallies on the way to placing second, while Ithaca College holds down third in the annual coaches’ survey after securing 41 points.
Duck Discussion
The Ducks are coming off a 27-7 campaign in 2013 – a 10.5-match improvement from 2012 – and were the Empire 8 Conference regular season champions. Mary Tobin, the 2013 conference Rookie of the Year, ranked first for Stevens in kills (325), kills per set (3.04) and points per set (3.32.). Kirsten Salmins corralled Empire 8 Libero/Defensive Specialist of the Year. On the floor, she posted 670 digs in 34 matches (5.68 per set) and the 17th best mark in the nation. Katie Hall and Christina Sciarra played crucial roles for Stevens all season as Hall was first on the team in total blocks (91) and second in aces (56) and Sciarra was third on the team with 294 kills.
Golden Flyer Focus
On the heels of the program’s third straight conference title, Nazareth has high expectations for the 2014 season with a trio of returning all-conference honorees filling the roster. Three-time all-conference middle blocker Maria Alloco (316 k) returns for her senior season after leading the league with a .387 hitting percentage. Right side hitter Kassandra Buseck had a team-best 355 kills (2.73 per set). She also has 69 blocks and a .253 hitting percentage. Madi Wickens (254 d, 37 aces) paced the offensive attack for the Golden Flyers as she dished out 856 assists (7.51 per set).
Bomber Basics
Coming off its second straight sub-.500 season, Ithaca is picked to finish third in the E8 conference standings. Ithaca finished 16-22 overall and 4-3 in E8 games. The Bombers hope to improve upon those numbers as they are seeking their fifth E8 title. Ithaca will look to sophomore Shaelynn Schmidt (388 k) who recorded 17 double-digit performances. She dug 129 balls, posted 36 blocks (3 solo, 33 assists) and served nine aces.
Houghton Highlights
The 2014 season marks the third year of inclusion for Houghton College as a competing Empire 8 program. For the first time, the Highlanders will factor into conference standings and be eligible to compete in the E8 postseason. However, Houghton is still unable to compete at the NCAA national level. So if Houghton wins the E8 tournament, the conference tournament runner-up will earn the AQ to the NCAA.
Houghton finished 20-11 overall, including a 6-2 record against Empire 8 teams. Hattie Burgher (340 k, 457 d) was a key contributor both offensively and defensively as she turned in 19 double-doubles. Laurel Wroblicky (814 d) provided a strong defensive presence from her libero position and earned second team all-conference honors.
Soaring Eagle Essentials
Elmira finished the 2013 season with a 22-13 overall record with a 4-3 mark in Empire 8 Conference play. It was the fourth season in a row the Soaring Eagles have had 20 or more wins and secured a spot in the conference tournament. Offensively, Sami Hanes conducted the Elmira attack, serving as the primary setter and finished the year with 1,141 assists (9.51/set). Kierstin Deer and Alicia Day will be looked to build upon their numbers from a year ago. Derr capped the 2013 season with an average of 2.76 points, 2.32 kills and .35 aces per set, while Day led the team in total blocks with 63, making 38 assisted blocks and 25 solo blocks.
Cardinal Chatter
After a two-year post-season absence, St. John Fisher College has its eye on returning to the E8 tournament. The Cardinals improved its win total by six wins a year ago and hopes that number continues to increase in 2014. The Cardainal roster features the return of one all-conference performer in Megan Miller. Miller was named to the honorable mention team after posting 264 kills and 278 digs on the year.
Hawk Highpoints
Hartwick welcomes back a honorable mention selection in Dana Martin.Martin led Hartwick in service aces (58) and finished second on the team in kills (249), digs (254), and was third in total blocks (40) in 108 sets played. She registered six double-doubles, achieving the feat in three of her final four matches of the season.
Pioneer Points
Utica wrapped up the 2013 season with a 9-23 record and bid farewell to five seniors. Looking to the future, Utica will rely on Brandi Blaszak who had a standout rookie season as she became the first player in program history to be voted to either the first or second All-Conference team. She led the E8 in blocks (110) and blocks per set (.95) and also had a team-high 280 kills to go along with 25 service aces and 67 digs.
Saxon Side-Notes
Alfred hopes to move up the conference ladder and is seeking its first conference win since October 2011. It may be safe to say that the Saxons are the youngest E8 squad, with only three returners to the roster. Taylor Kiernan (334 d) will be the staple on the backline, while Marylou Patnaude and Emily Rechin will look to increase court time and provide experience.
Dates to remember
Empire 8 women’s volleyball fans don’t have long to wait to see their favorite teams in action. The 2014 season officially begins on Friday, August 29 with eight teams taking the court for nonconference matches.
Conference play begins Saturday, Sept. 13, and this year's playoff schedule features two semifinal matches on Saturday, Nov. 8, and the championship on Sunday, Nov. 9 with the top seed hosting the tournament.
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 Volar Video. Be sure to check out the schedule of streamed events by visiting
empire8.tv. The
Empire 8 scoreboard will have the latest schedule and results as well as media coverage links.
A closer look
For more information, visit any of the participating schools' websites or go to the Empire 8 home on the Internet at
www.empire8.com. Don't forget to become a fan of the Empire 8 on
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@Empire8 on Twitter and
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2014 Empire 8 Women’s Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll
|
Stevens (6 first place votes) |
62 Points |
|
Nazareth (3) |
58 |
|
Ithaca |
41 |
|
Houghton |
37 |
|
Elmira |
36 |
|
St. John Fisher |
34 |
|
Hartwick |
32 |
|
Utica |
13 |
|
Alfred |
11 |