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

CONTACT: Jerry Reilly,
Sports Information Director

DATE: Thurs., Sept. 1, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Women's Volleyball

Young, talented Devils set sights on title

FREDONIA, N.Y. -- Two straight solid recruiting classes has Fredonia State women’s volleyball head coach Geoff Braun envisioning unprecedented success for his team.

“The roster is young,” Braun said, “but (I believe) they have what it takes to continue the success of the program and take it to the next level, a SUNYAC title.”

The Blue Devils open their season Sept. 2 against Skidmore, followed by a match against Point Park, on the first day of the Cortland Red Dragon Classic.

Fredonia State has never won a conference title in the sport, although it finished first in SUNYAC’s Western Division as recently as 2003 with an 8-0 record in pool play. In addition, the Blue Devils were 6-2 in the division last season, and 21-15 overall.

Their 67-38 record since 2002 is the most successful three-year stretch in the history of the program.

One of the most decorated players in the history of the program, middle hitter Heather Martin, has graduated. A three-time All SUNYAC player, Martin was among the 2004 conference leaders in kills and digs (her 507 kills set a school record).

In her stead, the Blue Devils will rely on the hitting of senior Elizabeth Schaller (Marilla/St. Mary’s) and sophomore JaHanna Dixon (Hamburg/Frontier). Schaller was third and Dixon second in kills last season. Braun said junior transfer Stephanie DeGolier (Cassadaga/Cassadaga Valley) could also make a major contribution offensively.

The top setter is back: senior Traci Pieczynski (Lancaster/St. Mary’s). A full-time starter for the first time as a junior, Pieczynski set a school record with 1,231 assists. She and Schaller -- the lone seniors on the squad -- resume a partnership that dates back to their playing days as high school classmates. They will serve as co-captains for their final collegiate season.

Alyssa Torpy (Henrietta/Rush-Henrietta), a freshman, is expected to be the Blue Devils’ other top setter. She is part of a talented freshman class which includes Bethany Kibbe (San Antonio, Texas/John Marshall), Katie Schaller (Marilla/St. Mary’s), and Tonja Royce (Forestville/Forestville). Braun said all of them will vie for playing time.

Defensively, sophomores Paula Baire (Lancaster/Nardin)and Allyson Strein (Mineola/Mineola) will look to build on solid seasons as freshman. They will be joined by freshman libero Val Grell (Lancaster/Lancaster), whose high school team won the New York State Class A title last fall.

Athletics Home | Fredonia Home