2010 Emory Volleyball Preview

With an experienced cast of veterans to call upon, along with a talented group of newcomers in the fold, Emory volleyball head coach Jenny McDowell eagerly anticipates what the 2010 campaign has in store for the Eagles.

McDowell, the 2008 AVCA National Coach of the Year, returns 14 letterwinners, including four starters, from last year’s squad that compiled an overall record of 34-6, the second-highest win total in school history, along with the program’s third University Athletic Association Championship in five years.   

In addition to the always key ingredient of experience, Emory will be using its earlier-than-anticipated exit from last year’s NCAA Tournament as motivation this year.

“Our team really got after it in the spring,”  McDowell said.  “Their commitment that it made in the weight room, and its commitment to improve as a team was impressive.  They have not wavered one bit in their resolve, and if dedication and sacrifice count for anything, then this team could be very good.”

That drive to excel will have to be maintained if the Eagles are to meet McDowell’s goals and lofty expectations.

“I believe that there are three things,” McDowell said matter-of-factly.  “We want to be ranked No. 1 in the South Region so we have to approach ever region match very seriously and with a sense of purpose.  Secondly, we want to win the UAA championship, both the regular season and the tournament.  Finally, we want to win the national championship.  After winning it in 2008 and coming up short in 2009, that is certainly a goal that we want to focus in on.”

When assessing her team for 2010, McDowell believes that there are a number of strengths that the squad will possess, first and foremost being experience.  As stated earlier, with 14 monogram winners back from last year, the Eagles have been tested and look to use past lessons learned to their benefit this season. 

“We’re to a point where experience will be a strength of ours, McDowell said. “The top players are upperclassmen now. We’re talking about Natalie Schonefeld, Amelia McCall, Jess McAlvany, Ali Wright and defenders Kelsey Krzyston and Ana Ramirez.  That is a veteran group and now we have to put that experience to work.”

Another area that McDowell believes will be solid is ball control.  With passing such an integral part of the game, the Emory mentor drilled her team in that department on a consistent basis in the spring.

“We made ball control a point of emphasis in our recruiting and spent the whole spring working on it,” McDowell said.  We know that is important for us. I think that is a big reason why we lost early in the NCAA Tournament last year so we want to zero in on that.”

The following is a positional breakdown of the 2010 Eagles:

SETTER
Junior Natalie Schonefeld , a two-time All-American, returns as the incumbent  at setter after turning  in an outstanding 2009 campaign, that saw her bring first-team honors nationally.  The 5-foot-7 Schonefeld was named the UAA’s Most Valuable Player last season after ranking second in the league and ninth nationally with a 10.73 assists per set average.   Her ability to direct the Emory offense at a high level will be vital in the team’s success this year.

“Natalie is one of the best setters that I have ever worked with,” McDowell said.  “She is a great decision maker and I think that this is going to be another great year for her.  We will be looking for her to be more of a vocal leader this season and I think that she will be up to that challenge.”

Sophomore Emily Reiser will provide a back-up role at the position and look to make the most of her playing  opportunities when they arise.

LEFT SIDE
Emory could claim the most dynamic 1-2 hitting punch in the nation with senior Amelia McCall and junior Jessica McAlvany.   The duo established themselves as consistent and effective attackers last season and look to maintain their offensive prowess in 2010.

The 5-foot-10 McCall landed All-UAA First Team acclaim last season after putting away 315 kills.  McCall shined at the UAA Tournament as she helped the Eagles to the championship including stellar efforts against Chicago in the semifinals and Washington University in the title match.

McAlvany, 6-foot-1, made a dramatic impact on the 2009 club after her transfer from Davidson College.  A First Team All-American, she racked up a team-high 362 terminations and finished with a 30.7 hitting percentage.   The owner of 18 contests of double-figure kills, McAlvany  was a first-team pick to conference and region teams.

“Both Jess and Amelia are big-time athletes,” McDowell said.  “They are both quick and fast and they have the ability to out jump opponents and hit the ball at a very high point make them tough to contend with.  They definitely have the ability to control a match.”

Adding depth to the position will be sophomore Carolyn Olsen, 6-foot,  who possesses  a great deal of potential according to McDowell.

RIGHT SIDE
Sophomore Alena Ransom heads into the upcoming year as the likely starter on the right side.   The 5-foot-9 Ransom played in 12 matches last year and is coming off a solid spring.  Her jumping ability and athleticism will make her a solid performer at that spot.

“Alena is a gifted athlete who looks to come into her own this season,” McDowell stated.  At this stage, we are not totally sure who will back her up.  That will be sorted out during fall drills.”

McDowell points to junior Kelsey Freeman, 5-foot-10, as a key contributor with her versatility allowing her ample opportunity to earn court time.

MIDDLE
Junior Ali Wright and sophomore Breanah Bourque promise to make it tough for opponents with their play in the middle this year.  The 5-foot-10 Wright garnered All-UAA Second Team honors in 2009 after leading the team with 21 block solos while ranking second in total blocks with 93 (0.86 bps).   She led or shared for the team’s lead in blocks in 18 matches and showed some offensive punch as well with six outings of 10 or more kills.

“Ali was a part-time starter as a freshman and really took off last year,” McDowell said.  “Ali is one of the best jumpers we have had in the program and our jaws hit the ground many times during the spring when we saw what she was capable of.  I believe that this is the year where people take notice of her.”

Bourque, 5-foot-11, saw her fair share of action a year ago, appearing in 32 matches and averaging 2.23 kills, totaling seven matches of double-figure terminations, and 0.60 blocks per set. 

DEFENSE
A trio of veterans will provide the team with an excellent defensive presence.  Seniors Kelsey Krzyston and Ana Ramirez are reliable performers as is junior Kelsey Hodge.   Krzyston has appeared in 109 matches during her career including 35 last year where she registered five matches of 10 or more digs en route to averaging 1.83 digs per set.  Ramirez has taken to the court in 71 matches and appeared in 22 contests in 2009.  Hodge emerged as a key defensive performer last season, averaging 1.52 digs per set over the course of 25 contests. In addition to their defensive expertise, both Krzyston and Ramirez also give the team a boost with the serving skills. 


NEWCOMERS
McDowell has a great deal of optimism on incoming freshmen, Molly Landers, Sarah Taub, middle Casey Perryman and Carrie Klemencic.  All four possess varying strengths that will serve them well when looking to crack the lineup.

“One of the key things we were looking for in our recruiting was ball control and I think that Landers and Taub are outstanding defenders,” McDowell said.  Molly comes in as middle back defender and Sarah a left-back defender, so we will use that pair in different roles.

“Casey Perryman will be at the athletic level as our elite players,” McDowell continued.  “She has a great work ethic to go along with good quickness and great jumping ability.

“Carrie is a flexible athlete who can play the middle or on the right side, and I think that her college days will be her best volleyball days.”