WILLIAMSTOWN, MA --
The Ephs enter the 2009
season with experience, confidence, and optimism for the challenge
ahead. This year’s squad returns ten players from a team that
finished last year on a high note, winning the NESCAC conference,
NCAA New England Regional and making a run deep into the NCAA
tournament and reaching the round of eight.
First-year head coach Christi Kelsey is excited about what
possibilities lay ahead for the Ephs in the 2009 season, but knows
past success does not automatically guarantee more of the same in
the future. “Each season is a new beginning and every
team begins with a clean slate. The teams in our conference across
the board have continued to improve and challenge each other every
year. For us, there will be no easy nights as we have to prepare to
battle with teams in every single match.” Kelsey believes
that the 2009 Eph team will have to raise their expectations and
level of play to stay competitive not only in the NESCAC but in the
region. “I believe we have a team of experienced athletes
with a great passion for the game and a tremendous work ethic that
will serve us well as we prepare for season ahead. It is exciting
to have such depth in our returners and a great group of first year
players to add into the mix. We look to challenge each other every
day of practice both mentally and physically and see if we can move
Williams volleyball to a new level.”
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| Melissa Pun '10 |
Chelsea Kubal (Atherton, CA) enters her senior campaign as a two-time team captain. Kubal led the team last year in total digs (499) and digs per set (3.35). She also averaged 1.37 kills/game. Joining Kubal as seniors on this year’s squad are Melissa Pun (San Francisco, CA), Whitney Hitchcock (Penfield, NY), and Andrea Scioscia (Gibsonia, PA). Pun hopes to bounce back from injuries last season and return to the form of her sophomore year in which she earned both Honorable Mention AVCA All-American and All-NESCAC honors. Hitchcock looks to continue her strong net play from a year ago as she led the Ephs in total blocks (121) and blocks/set (0.80). Scioscia, a defensive specialist, hopes to continue her strong contributions both in the backcourt and from the service line as she led the team in total service aces (47) and was second on the team in total digs (351).
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| Kate Anderson '11 |
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| Nicole Ballon-Landa '11 |
Juniors Kate Anderson (Berlin, MA), Nicole Ballon-Landa (La Jolla, CA), Eleanor Levine (Atlanta, GA), and Emily Avis (Palo Alto, CA) all played key roles in the Ephs 2008 offense. Avis anchored the offense in her role as setter, leading the team in total assists (957) and assists/set (8.86). Anderson and Ballon-Landa were named to the AVCA All-New England and Honorable Mention All-America teams as well as the All-NESCAC First Team. The pair led the team in total kills, kill/set, and overall hitting percentage. In addition, Anderson was second on the team in total blocks and Ballon-Landa was third. Levine contributed in several categories including being ranked third in total kills (209) and hitting percentage (.242), fourth in total blocks (87), and second in total services aces (40).
Sophomores Aly McKinnon (Portola Valley, CA) and Jessica Torres (Bronx, NY) also made important contributions to the team both in matches and practices last season. McKinnon, a defensive specialist, ranked third on the team in total digs (312) and services aces (31) last season.
Four first-years join the team and will add overall depth to the returning squad in many positions. The incoming class includes Mika Nakashige (Honolulu, HI), Lauren Agoubi (San Antonio, TX), Haley Eagon (Roseville, MN), and Brooke Johnson (Torrington, CT).
The Ephs kick off their 2009 schedule at the Brandeis Invitational on September 11 and 12. Teams participating in the tournament include Babson, Brandeis, Gordon, RIC, Trinity, Tufts, UMASS-Boston, and Wentworth.
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| Emily Avis '11 |
Williams Volleyball – 2008 record: 28-13, 7-3,
NESCAC & NCAA New England Champions; NCAA
Quarterfinalists
2008 Final National Ranking: 30th
2008 Postseason Finish: Tied for 5th
Returning Starters/Letterwinners: 5 + Libero/10
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| Andrea Sciosia '10 |
Top Returners: Whitney Hitchcock (Sr., MH, 5-11), Chelsea Kubal (Sr. OH, 5-10), Melissa Pun (Sr., OH/DS, 5-7), Andrea Scioscia (Sr., LIB/DS, 54), Emily Avis (Jr., S, 5-8), Eleanor Levine (Jr., MH, 5-11), Nicole Ballon-Landa (Jr., MH/OH, 2008 AVCA All-America Honorable Mention, First-Team All-NESCAC All-New England Region), Kate Anderson (Jr., OH/OPP, 6-0, 2008 AVCA All-America Honorable Mention, First-Team All-NESCAC and All-New England Region), Aly McKinnon (So., DS/LIB, 5-6), and Jessica Torres (So., OH, 5-10)
Top Newcomers: Mika Nakashige (LIB/DS),
Lauren Agoubi (MH/OH), Haley Eagon (OH), and Brooke Johnson
(OH/MH).
Top Player(s) Lost: Riki McDermott (OH, 5-10)
