MIDDLETOWN, Pa- The 2011 Penn State Harrisburg women's volleyball team looks to bounce back after a tough season a year ago. After recording the best year in school history in 2009, the Lady Lions 2010 campaign ended early in the North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) championship tournament. This year, with a potent combination of experienced veterans and talented newcomers, they'll look to extend their season with a deeper postseason run.
Head Coach Bob Creason's group is led by key returnees and team captains Carla Martin (Manheim, PA/Home Schooled) and Miranda Jumper (Lebanon, PA/Lebanon). Also back this season is junior Michelle Pellechia (Allentown, PA/Catasaugua), and sophomores Chidere Igwe (West Orange, NJ/West Orange) and Jocelyn Mitchell (Heath, OH/Heath).
"The returning pair of Igwe and Mitchell for power, combined with Martin and Jumper on defense will give the team some sought after balance," said Creason.
As far as the new additions go, Penn State Harrisburg adds four freshmen and a sophomore transfer this fall. Maddie Daubert (Pine Grove, PA/Pine Grove), Erin Goodyear (Boiling Springs, PA/Boiling Springs), Jessica Sinex (Oxford, PA/Oxford) and Bianca Stanton (Hummelstown, PA/Central Dauphin East) are the youngsters of the bunch. Second year student Nicole Donelson (McKeesport, PA/McKeesport) joins the blue and white after a simple change of address. Creason is excited about this group's potential to make an immediate impact.
"Our two new setters in Goodyear and Daubert have adapted well to our offense and should gain needed confidence in the early going," he said. "Sinex, as an incoming freshman, will add both some strong outside offense and an effective serve."
After going 10-22 a year ago, Creason has been using the valuable preseason practice time to work on areas of needed improvement. The 2009 NEAC Coach of the Year cited creating a stronger block and serving with a renewed purpose as early focal points.
"This year looks exciting as we are stronger at the net and should be very sufficient on defense," he said. "Our hope is to challenge for the top spot in our division in the NEAC and to win a majority of our non-conference games."
Those non-conference games, especially a two day tri-match at Messiah College to end the regular season slate, will be strong measuring sticks for a team that was one win away from winnings its first NEAC Championship just two years ago.
With a strong returning core, plenty of underclassmen and just one senior on the squad, Creason's team should not only once again challenge for the conference's South division title, but also lay a solid foundation for the school's future. If the Lady Lions are able to gel smoothly and their young players can continue to progress, then expect Penn State Harrisburg to do big things this season.