GREENVILLE, Pa. – After a 2009 season that saw the women's volleyball team improve by nine wins from the previous year and finish second in the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC), the Tomcats have high expectations for the 2010 season.
“Even though we have a tougher schedule than we had last year, we believe that we can finish with the same record as last season if not better,” said head coach Steve Brewer, who enters his fifth year as the coach of the team.
Experience will be one of the greatest strengths for the team in the upcoming season. The Tomcats return ten players, including six starters, to a team that finished with a 23-11 overall record, it's best dating back to the 1986 season.
“Of the four seniors that we have on the roster, each started or played a substantial amount as freshmen,” said Brewer. “Overall, this is the most experienced team that I have coached in my five years at Thiel.”
Leading the team in 2010 will be senior setter and captain Madison Chylik (Valley View, Ohio/Cuyahoga Heights) (Valley View, Ohio/Cuyahoga Heights). Chylik, a first team All-PAC selection in 2009, led the team and finished sixth in the PAC in assists with 957.
“Madison understands everything about the game,” remarked Brewer. “She epitomizes what it means to be a leader and with four years of experience under her belt and her great talent she will be a great leader and captain for this team.”
Teaming up with Chylik again this season is sophomore middle hitter Kelly Barzak (Warren, Ohio/Howland) (Warren, Ohio/Howland). Barzak, a second team All-PAC selection as a freshman, will look to have another great offensive season.
“Kelly was the best offensive player on the team and one of the best in the conference,” Brewer said when asked about Barzak. “She had a hitting percentage of .389 last season which is an impressive number. We also expect great things from her this season and she knows that. We believe that she will step up to the challenge.”
Sophomore and junior outside hitters Megan Kay (Girard, Ohio/Liberty) (Girard, Ohio/Liberty)and Alyssa Chine (North Jackson, Ohio/Jackson Milton), both all conference selections last season, join Chylik and Barzak as returning starters.
“Megan was thrown into a starting role her freshman year and as a sophomore she played in all but two matches,” said coach Brewer. “The same thing happened to Alyssa last season as she was asked to take over a starting role as a freshman. They both have a lot of experience and we expect them to step up as leaders this season.”
Also returning are seniors Danielle Dwyer (Dalton, Ohio/Dalton) (Dalton, Ohio/Dalton) and Stephanie Shipley (Mentor, Ohio/Mentor) (Mentor, Ohio/Mentor), who will compete for the libero position. Dwyer was ranked seventh in the PAC in both service aces (34) and digs (404) last season. Shipley finished tenth in the PAC in digs with 380 and is a returning three-time All-PAC selection.
When asked about having two different players for the libero position, coach Brewer said, “It is a great thing to have two very talented players be able to play multiple positions. Having competition at the libero position is a great asset to the team.”
The only hole that needs to be filled in the upcoming season is one that has been left by Abby Kiger, a 2010 Thiel graduate. However, Brewer is confident that the team will be able to fill that hole without missing a beat.
“Senior Joy Metzler (Industry, Pa./Western Beaver) (Industry, Pa./Western Beaver) and junior Chelsi Clark (Greenwich, Ohio/South Central) (Greenwich, Ohio/South Central) each have great talent and will be able to fill the hole that was left by Kiger.”
Joining the upperclassmen will be a group of 11 freshmen that Brewer believes are up to the challenge of making a run at a PAC title.
When asked about his freshmen class, Brewer replied; “Every year we attempt to recruit a better freshmen class and we believe that this year we have succeeded. We are very excited for this freshman class and believe that we are building a strong base for this year and the following years as well.”
With the benefit of a lot of experience and a great freshman class, it is no wonder that Brewer has a lot of confidence for the upcoming season.
“We have championship experience after coming off a trip to the PAC title game last season, and we expect great things from our girls in 2010.”
