Young volleyball squad primed for strenuous season

Jim Swing
Assistant Sports Editor

A year after claiming the regular season CAA title but falling short in the CAA Championship to George Mason, VCU volleyball heads in to the 2010 season with high expectations. Head coach James Finley enters his sixth season with VCU recruiting eight newcomers for the upcoming season.

“We’re very excited about our new recruits, they’re very athletic and reacting very quick to the college level,” said Finley about his new members.

Making up the class are outside hitters Lea Williams and Jhessica Martins; liberos (specialized defensive players) Samantha Salvi and Jessica Warner; middle blockers Jasmine Waters and Annett Farkas; and setters Ciara Brown and Bridget Camacho.

During the off-season squad members came together and worked to improve as a team playing sandball a few days out of the week along with lifting and conditioning in the summer.

“Our players did a very good job of getting to know each other mentally along with coming in with really great shape,” Finley said.

The Rams recently held the annual Black and Gold scrimmage at the Verizon Wireless Arena Sunday in which the squad faced off against the Alumni team. According to Finley, the games proved to be helpful as it put a lot of pressure on the young players as they were put in game situations. Red-shirt Sophomore Kristin Boyd led all players with eight kills along with the best hitting percentage.

Boyd, along with junior Courtney Hott, are two players to watch this season. Boyd has a shot at becoming an All-American and Hott has consistently improved her performance to become one of the star players.

The young squad will be be tested by their toughest schedule yet in the 2010 season. VCU will face multiple challenging teams, including Kentucky, Florida State and the current national champions Penn State. However, Finley is confident that the squad will do well this year.

“Size-wise athletically we will have the best matchup we have ever had here which is fun for us,” said Finley, who is known for his willingness to go head to head against any team.

According to Finley, the solid schedule will offer the young team a good challenge and a chance to play at a higher level for the first time, even the CAA will be a tough match for the team, but his players say they can handle it.

“The girls’ expectations are not to lose an in-conference match and their confidence makes me happy but I know it’s going to be a tough road in a good conference,” said Finley.

Seniors Kelsie Clegg and Mariel Frey will be leading the way for the Rams this season.

“[Clegg and Frey] have shown to be great leaders and are both playing really well right now and they will definitely be an impact this season,” Finley said.

Even though the Rams have one of the youngest teams in the conference, they have a lot they wish to accomplish this season.

“We want to win the CAA Tournament and make the NCAA Tournament and our goal is to achieve the Sweet Sixteen,” said Finley. “We have a young team with a lot of talent and determination.”