Sept. 3, 2010
The last time the sounds of a volleyball match echoed on the stage of Costello Gymnasium, the River Hawks hoisted the Northeast-10 Tournament Championship following one of the finest seasons in program history. With a new youthful cast looking to reprise the role of champions, UMass Lowell starts its 26 game audition on Saturday afternoon against a familiar co-star; the Merrimack Warriors.
Despite the roster's overall youth, the core of the 2009 squad remains with four starters returning for another quest for the crown. That nucleus features such commodities as 2009 NE-10 All-Conference First-Team and AVCA Division II All-East Region selection, Sarah Coscia (Pittsfield, Mass.), and 2008 All-Conference Third-Team member, Jillian Hadder (Yucaipa, Calif.).
What the River Hawks lose are six graduating seniors that helped guide the experienced roster to a 22-10 record, the conference tournament championship and a berth into the NCAA Tournament.
"We've talked about the fact that last season's success has given us the expectation to perform and to win," said 2009 NE-10 Coach of the Year Karen McNulty. "However, we have to be aware that we're not going to take anybody by surprise."
Now with four freshmen competing for substantial playing time, UMass Lowell will rely on its powerful offensive attack and athletic defense to make another run at post-season prominence.
"Our expectations are as usual," said McNulty. "To compete for the Northeast-10 Championship, compete to be in the conference tournament and qualify for the NCAA's. We need to be patient with ourselves because we are inexperienced in key places, and we're not deep so everyone needs to stay healthy, but athletically we're better than we have been in the past."
The Offense
Despite the departure of perennial standout Elsa LeGrand, the River Hawk offense may prove to be the team's greatest strength. After registering 1398 kills last season, fourth most in the NE-10, UMass Lowell returns over 72% of its offense. In all, the River Hawks return four of the five players that reached triple-digit kills in 2009.
Among the keys to their offensive firepower, the River Hawks welcome back seniors Coscia and Hadder, who combined for 693 kills. Coscia aims to become to first player to record back-to-back seasons of 400 or more kills since Julie Handy tallied 432 and 573 in 2004-05.
Likewise, Hadder has been a workhorse for the past three years, entering the season just two shy of 1000 career kills. A star on the court since her first match as a freshman in 2007, Hadder led UMass Lowell during her first two seasons with 378 and 337 kills, respectively.
Not to be overlooked, the River Hawks also return senior Vicky Wong (Tewksbury, Mass.) and junior Lea Freeman (Methuen, Mass.) who amassed 191 and 126 kills, respectively. In addition, Wong acts as a duel threat on the attack after leading the team in service aces last season with 48.
The Defense
Perhaps the biggest turnover for UMass Lowell this season will come on the defensive side of the ball where the River Hawks lose the program's second all-time blocks leader, LeGrand, and their primary passer, Allie Eide.
Looking to fill the void, Coscia emerged as a reliable power with a team-best 99 total blocks and will look for help from the athletic Freeman. Freeman tallied 34 and 48 blocks in limited playing time over her first two seasons and at six-feet tall, she possesses the physical tools to be disruptive at the net front.
"We lose experience defensively, but we have some talented players," McNulty said. "Carolyn [Eddy] is very talented, Vicky [Wong] is a better player than she was last year and Hadder is still a mainstay. Sarah [Coscia] and Lea [Freeman] haven't been asked to play middle-back that much, but if need be they are big people and cover a lot of territory. At first the inexperience might affect us, but I don't think it will be an issue because of the talent we possess."
A slight concern for the River Hawks will be replacing over 1000 digs that graduated with the senior class, including Eide's team-high 435. Hadder and Wong both have a proven track record to step into the role, eclipsing 300 digs each last season, but the team will initially look towards its freshman class for production. Versatile high school setter Carolyn Eddy (Dracut, Mass.) will have an opportunity to earn major minutes if she can help shoulder the load.
"Eddy's primary role will be to pass," said McNulty. "She looks good, is very strong and is in great shape. She played libero during the offseason and I think she's is pretty prepared to step into the role."
Setting the Table
For the first time since 2006 UMass Lowell will look to someone other than Nichole Rondeau to be its primary setter. Sophomore Kristina Wiltjer (San Diego, Calif.) will be handed the keys to one of the best attacks in the conference after working alongside Rondeau last season.
"There's a new quarterback," McNulty said of Wiltjer. "She's talented, she's quick, but she is inexperienced. Hopefully the juniors who did well last year will do even better this year and will make up for what we lose in experience."
Wiltjer shined last season in her role as the back-up setter, running the offense efficiently in limited appearances. In 24 games played, Wiltjer compiled 48 assists--including 11 in a three-set loss to Bentley (9/23).
Freshmen Eddy and Olivia Jean Parkins (Dracut, Mass.) are expected to see time at setter as well, giving the River Hawks a bright future at such a crucial position on the court.
The River Rivalry Resumes
The season's first serve is less than 24 hours away. UMass Lowell lines-up against longtime rival Merrimack for a 12 p.m. start at the Costello Gym.
