Sports Information Department – 112 Dods Hall
Phone (716) 673-3100 / Fax (716) 673-3136

CONTACT: Matt Palisin,
Sports Information Dept.

DATE: Thur., Aug. 30, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Women's Volleyball

Devils look to rally from .500 season

FREDONIA, N.Y. -- The Fredonia State volleyball team has high expectations heading into its 2007 campaign. Coming of a 16-16 season and breaking the team’s string of four straight 20-plus win seasons, the Devils have their sights set on a conference title after bowing out in the first round of the SUNYAC Tournament last fall.

Eight players return from last year’s squad, including a pair of First Team All SUNYAC selections. Six new players will provide head coach Geoff Braun with a deep and talented roster.

“We play a very difficult schedule each year, and it prepares us for play in our conference,” Braun said. “All the new players are good athletes and will contribute from the start.”

Three-time all SUNYAC selection and senior team captain JaHanna Dixon will play the middle again this season. She is the team’s most versatile player and was among the team leaders in kills, service aces, digs and total blocks while earning a First Team selection in 2006.

“JaHanna is our strongest all-around player," Braun said. "She is one of our best passers, blocker, defender and attacker.”

Fellow team captain, junior Amy Bertrando, also a First Team selection in 2006, will be counted on for offensive consistency. “Amy is a constant on offense and she’s explosive and fun to watch," Braun said. "She’s not easy to stop.” Bertrando’s 391 kills were tops on the team and her 3.50 per game average was second in the conference. She was sixth with a .279 hitting percentage.

A third all conference honoree from last season, Stephanie DeGolier, was lost to graduation. Sophomore Jen Reese and freshman Kaitlin Erdmann will compete to fill the middle back role vacated by DeGolier. Braun said the 6’0’’ Reese, who saw limited action last year, has improved a great deal. Erdmann was two-time state champion at Randolph High School and has the ability to step in right away.

The team returns its setter in Alyssa Torpy. She will be the main playmaker for the second straight season. The experienced Tonja Royce, a junior, will also get some work as second setter in some offensive sets. She has played an important role in her first two seasons, appearing in 214 games over that span.

Royce’s athleticism and the team’s depth will allow Braun to run a varied offense. “We will run a 5-1 and a 6-2 offense this year," he said. "We want to be more versatile. Tonja will be asked to set, along with Alyssa, in our 6-2 offense. We will still rely on Tonja for kills on the right side.”

A pair of juniors, Leanne Maloney and Val Grell, also figure in the mix. Maloney was first on the team with 473 digs and second with 256 kills while playing in nearly every game. Grell, a defensive specialist, finished behind Maloney with 337 digs.

Freshman Danielle McNeil, a St. Mary’s graduate, was also a state champion in high school. Her experience and talent will be a plus.

A pair of local standouts, Kalli Harrington of Westfield and Mallory Swanson of Jamestown, and Jenna Tatu from Tonawanda, round out the group of freshmen. Meghan Sullivan, who is also a member of the Blue Devil softball team, joins the squad as a junior.

In addition to the team's experince and athleticism, Braun sees additional home games as another positive for the team. The Blue Devils have three home dual matches and will play host to two pool-play tournaments, the Fredonia State Invitational Oct. 5-6 and SUNYAC Western Division Pool Play Oct. 19-20.

The team opens the season Friday vs. Swarthmore (4 p.m.) and vs. Stevens Institute (6 p.m.) at the SUNY Cortland Red Dragon Volleyball Classic. The home opener is Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. vs. Alfred University in Dods Hall.

Athletics Home | Fredonia Home