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2007 Season Preview...
KING'S VOLLEYBALL TEAM LOOKING FOR YOUNG GUNS TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP
WILKES-BARRE -- A year ago, the King's College women's volleyball team fielded a team comprised primarily of first-year players and nearly made it to the Freedom Conference championship match.
A year later, those players, combined with a crop of freshmen, are hoping the Lady Monarchs can take the next step and win the Freedom title and earn the automatic berth into the NCAA tournament that comes with it.
After compiling a 19-12 record a year ago, 19-year veteran coach Bernie Kachinko returns several players who figure to power the team into contention. Picked to finish second in the pre-season Freedom Conference Coaches Poll, other teams around the league are also holding the Lady Monarchs in high regard.
Leading the way for King's are its returning front-line punch of sophomore outside hitter Kaitlyn Malshefski (Nanticoke/Nanticoke Area) and sophomore middle hitter Kat Clerici (Seaford, NY/Seaford). A year ago both players enjoyed excellent freshmen campaigns and were each named to the All-Freedom Conference second-team.
This season, the dynamic hitting duo are expected to emerge as two of the top hitting combinations in the Freedom Conference.
The 5-11 Malshefski (above) proved herself as an outstanding all-round player, posting team-highs of 358 kills and 274 digs while contributing 46 blocks and 32 service aces. Clerici (right), who also measures in at 5-11, followed with 323 kills and 171 digs, while proving to be a major force at the net with a team-high 108 total blocks, the fourth highest single-season total in King's history and the most ever by a Lady Monarch freshman.
Also back in the fold is sophomore dynamo Danielle Belfanti (Reading/Holy Name) who was recruited as a start libero but filled a need as a freshman by playing setter. Belfanti (left) totaled 770 assists with 32 service aces as a rookie and still managed to register 210 digs. With a nose for the ball and tremendous quickness and athletic ability, her return to the back row is expected provide the team with tremendous defense.
Samantha Page (Wilkes-Barre/Bishop Hoban), a 5-8 sophomore, also returns as an outside hitter. Page (right) had solid freshman campaign and is expected to improve on her 209 kills in 2006. Also back and looking to play a greater role on the team are junior Nadya Alboschy (Salisbury Mills, NY/Washingtonville) and sophomore Shannon Ellis (Lansdowne/Upper Darby). Both served as reserves last season at outside hitter and in the back row.
One player who could find herself in the rotation is 5-6 sophomore transfer Katie Doss (Sugar Run/Wyalusing) who played at Marywood University a year ago. Doss came to King's in January and practiced with the team during the spring, becoming familiar with Kachinko's system.
King's, however, was dealt a big loss when sophomore middle hitter Amanda Breese (South Gibson/Mt. View), suffered a knee injury during the spring practice season and has been lost for the season. She totaled 131 kills a year ago.
Eight freshmen players join the program this season with hopes of making an impact.
Leading the way in the rookie class is highly-regarded setter Samantha Garrigues (Rancho Cucamonga, CA/Etiwanda) who ventures cross-country to King's after competing scholastically in volleyball-rich California. At 5-9, Garrigues possess outstanding hands but also provides additional blocking ability at the net. Her arrival allows Belfanti to return to her natural libero position.
Other freshmen looking to find a spot in the rotation as hitters include 5-9 Emily Kline (Andreas/Lehighton Area), 5-10 Colelen McEntee (Valley Stream, NY/George W. Hewlett), 5-10 Samantha Gakeler (Jobstown, NJ/Northern Burlington), and 5-6 opposite Stephanie Flores (Tobyhanna/Pocono Mt. West).
as of 8/23/07
Freshman Kelly Greenway (Mechanicsburg/Trinity) is in line for the backup setter spot while Anna Domday (Barnesville/Mahanoy Area) and Colleen Hoeg (Piscataway, NJ/Piscataway) are competing for time at libero.
The Lady Monarchs will open their season August 31 with the annual two-day King's College Volleyball Invitational Tournament in Scandlon Gymnasium.
King's College
133 North River Street Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
1 (888) KINGS PA
Questions or comments to: Bob Ziadie, King's College Sports Information Director
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