Volleyball 08-09

Setter Ali Trotter returns to help lead the Big Red in 2008.

Entering her second year as head coach of the Denison University volleyball team, Lynsey Whisner returns a solid group of student-athletes and brings in a talented assembly of first years that will be called upon to make big contributions during 2008 campaign.

The incoming freshman, along with the returnees, will need to replace the holes left by the four departed seniors. Among the graduates of the 2007 team that posted an 11-14 mark are middle blockers Kelsey Bruce and Irene Link. Bruce was second on the team in kills with 324, while both Bruce and Link led the 2007 squad in blocks (58).

Whisner returns a seasoned group to her 2008 Big Red team. Among those returnees are seniors Ali Trotter (Cincinnati, Ohio/Turpin) and Kasia Kucharski (Columbus, Ohio/Bishop Ready), juniors Holly Leonard (Evanston, Ill./Evanstown Township) and Sara Mason (Lakewood, Ohio/Lakewood) and sophomore Lauren Weidner (Lake Barrington, Ill./Barrington).

Kucharski, an honorable mention all-NCAC selection last season, led the conference in kills (3.83 per game) and recorded 17 solo blocks, while Trotter dished off a conference-high 11.77 assists per contest. Leonard paced the squad with 6.41 digs per game, while fellow junior, Mason, stuffed 31 shots and averaged 2.59 kills per outing. Weidner made an impact in her freshman campaign, leading the team in services aces (25) and averaging 3.33 digs a game.

"Ali is expected to lead our offense at the setter position," Whisner said. "She has good control of her sets and knows our hitters well. Kasia brings power to the outside position and is expected to be one of our leaders offensively. Holly is looking to start at the libero position for the third year in a row. She is quick and reads the ball very well.

"Sara is a strong offensive player," Whisner added, "and she can hit a variety of shots from any front court position. Lauren will use the experience she acquired last year as a starter in the back row this season. She is a great vocal leader, and her powerful back row attacks will give our offense a different look."

Rounding out the student-athletes returning are junior Sorailla Duquerette (Hyde Park, Mass./Boston Latin) and sophomores Kaitlyn Minich (Colorado Springs, Colo./Fountain Valley) and Erin Gschwind (Chicago, Ill./Walter Payton Prep).

Whisner also welcomes a large and talented first-year class to the DU volleyball team. Freshmen that are looked at to make an immediate impact include middle hitters Kristen Hughes (Downington, Pa./Bishop Shanahan) and Megan Early (Findlay, Ohio/Van Buren), setter Claire Koneval (Solon, Ohio/Solon), and outside hitters Lauren Strowder (Cleveland Heights, Ohio/Cleveland Heights) and Morgan Sturgeon (Columbus, Ohio/Worthington Kilbourne).

Hughes and Early are strong blockers that could be a dominating duo in the middle, while Koneval is a knowledgeable athlete that will split time with Trotter. Strowder and Sturgeon are aggressive hitters that will be crucial components to Denison's offense.

"Kristen is a middle blocker that brings quickness and aggressive play to our front row," Whisner commented. "She will be an asset to our team this year. Megan is a natural in the middle blocker position, and she will get a lot of playing time this year as a first-year student. Claire has great hands, is very athletic and brings a wealth of knowledge about the game to Denison. She will learn the offense from Ali, but will also see some time on the court.

"Lauren is one of the most athletic players we have," Whisner added. "She is a strong hitter from the outside or right side, and she will definitely be one to watch this year. Morgan is an athlete that can play both in the front and back court. She is aggressive but consistent which could lead to playing time this year."

Rounding out the collection of first-year student-athletes will be Brooke Beavers (Sylvania, Ohio/St. Ursula Academy), Megan Bertrand (Bloomfield Hills, Mich./Seaholm), Brittany Brannon (Atwater, Ohio/Waterloo), Kirsten Chrzan (Pickerington, Ohio/Pickerington North), Brooke Horton (Dallas, Texas/Hillcrest), Lauren Lynn (Cincinnati, Ohio/Sycamore), Sarah Ritchey (Huntingdon, Pa./Huntingdon Area) and Jillian Twardowski (St. Clair Shores, Mich./University Liggett).

In the annual NCAC preseason coaches' poll, Denison was picked to finish fourth with 46 points. Wittenberg was selected the preseason favorite to claim the conference title with 81 tallies and nine first-place votes, while Hiram was picked second. Denison will open their season on Sept. 2 at Mt. Vernon Nazarene.