Ephs open 2008 season Friday at Wesleyan; match to be webcast

When you have over 90% of your roster back from a team that went 28-8, won the NESCAC Championship and played in the NCAA Tournament, it's hard not to be optimistic about the season ahead, but Eph head coach Fran Vandermeer's years of coaching have taught her that each year is its own creation.  "We have the most depth we've ever had, a consistent work ethic and outstanding leadership," noted Vandermeer.  “If we stay healthy, take care of the ball, and finish points, we’ll be off to a good start."

The Ephs not only return experience (all ten returnees played in more than 90 sets last season), they return versatility. "We have 10 talented, experienced veterans who all contributed last year while playing multiple positions," noted Vandermeer.  “They have confidence in each other no matter who’s on the floor.”

The captains are senior Riki McDermott (Manhattan Beach, CA) who will be a two-year captain and junior Chelsea Kubal (Atherton, CA).  McDermott, a libero/opposite is a “lead by example” player with an incredible work ethic.  She averaged 3.14 digs per set last fall and she is a key passer in the team’s serve receive.  Kubal, an outside hitter, was a 2007 AVCA Honorable Mention All-American selection, and notched 5.11 digs/set to anchor the Eph defense a year ago.

Co-Captains Chelsea Kubal (l.) and Riki McDermott

Two more juniors have received AVCA or NESCAC honors in their Williams careers in Melissa Pun and Alisha Cahlan.  Both Pun, an outside hitter, and Cahlan, an opposite, were named All-NESCAC in 2006 and 2007.  Pun was also an Honorable Mention AVCA All-American her first two seasons and was the NESCAC Rookie of the Year in 2006.  Pun led the Ephs in kills with 3.08 per set and she also chipped in 4.33 digs/set. Cahlan notched 2.22 kills/set, 0.44 blocks/set and was second on the team in hitting percentage at .268.

Junior defensive specialist Andrea Scioscia recorded 430 digs (third on the team) and posted 3.33 digs/set in 2007.  Junior middle blocker Whitney Hitchcock was the second leading blocker last fall for the Ephs with 83 total blocks (0.70/set) while adding 1.82 kills/set.

The entire sophomore class made an immediate impact in 2007.  Sophomore middle blocker Nicole Ballon-Landa was named the NESCAC and AVCA New England region’s Freshman of the Year last season and earned Second Team All-NESCAC and Honorable Mention All-Region honors.  Ballon-Landa led the team in hitting percentage at .286 and in blocking with 133 total blocks and 1.04/set.  She was also second on the Ephs last season in kills with 2.87/set.  Setter Emily Avis recorded 1133 assists (10.8/set) in keying the Eph attack and she added 2.94 digs/set.  Kate Anderson and Eleanor Levine played all three front row positions for the Ephs last fall.  Anderson posted 2.23 kills and 0.40 blocks per set while Levine had 1.9 kills, 1.78 digs, and 0.42 blocks per set.

Two first years join the roster this fall; Aly McKinnon, a defensive specialist from Portola Valley, California and Jessica Torres, an outside hitter from the Bronx, NY. 

The Ephs open the 2008 season at Wesleyan on Friday, Sept. 5th at 8pm. Wesleyan is streaming the match on the web live and it can be accessed by visiting the Wesleyan Athletics website and clicking on the link under Webcasts in the lower right hand corner.