Aug. 13, 2004

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. - The 2004 women's volleyball team will rely on a core that has spent the past year or two learning the college game and is poised for a breakout season. The 2003 Flyers posted a respectable 16-12 overall record and narrowly missed qualifying for the NCAA Tournament for the third time in four years. Four-time all-conference honoree Katie Gilman and a group of developing young players led the team. In particular, four freshmen and sophomores saw significant playing time and will look to parlay that experience into greater success in 2004. "While we were young last year, it was a great experience for our players to get comfortable playing in pressure situations," said head coach Karen Lockyer. "Now that they've been through it once or twice, they know what to expect." Lockyer has stressed that senior leadership is a key to success in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. She feels the team has a pair of strong leaders for 2004 in Maggie Haen and Rory Harrison. "Rory and Maggie will be our captains this year, "said Lockyer. "They have taken strong leadership positions over the summer, contacting players to check up on them and see how off-season training is coming." Harrison is a fourth-year student with junior eligibility after having sat out her sophomore year with an injury. She is a 6-0 middle hitter that handles pressure well and has good court vision. She re-injured herself towards the end of last season and had to sit out the spring season. Since she can graduate after this year, Harrison is hungry to put together a strong performance. Haen is a converted outside hitter that has settled into the libero role well. "Maggie is a senior libero with phenomenal ball control," said Lockyer. "She had reservations about the switch early on, but she has really grasped the impact a good libero can have on a team." The Flyers will possess their most depth at setter, the most critical position on the floor. Returning from 2003 is starter Abby Hodge. Hodge, a junior, won the job eight matches into the season and retained that spot for the rest of the year. Added to the mix are a junior transfer and an incoming freshman. Rochelle Ruen transferred to Lewis after playing two seasons at NCAA Division I University of Arizona. Meanwhile, freshman Andrea Morrone is a local product who is competitive and runs an offense well. Teaming with Harrison in the middle will be sophomore Charisse Steckling. At 6-1, Steckling has the potential to be a formidable middle in the GLVC. Fellow sophomore Lindsay Grim will also contend for playing time in the middle. Sophomore Sarah McKinney stepped into the opposite hitter's role last season and provided a reliable weapon from the right side. A 6-0 lefty, McKinney ranked 15th in the GLVC in hitting percentage and was fourth on the team in kills. Sophomore Theresa Nugent is another young player that saw extensive time in her inaugural season. She played the fourth-most games on the team and ranked fourth on the squad in kills. The remaining outside hitter position will be a battle that will involve almost every other hitter on the team. The front-runners in the competition will be senior Megan Poludniak, junior Val Olis and freshman Jessica Lockhart. Lockyer admits that whoever displays the best ball control will likely have the edge in earning the job. Eager to earn spots and push the incumbent players will be freshmen Jenna Sayers (6-3, MB), Rebecca Lisle (5-11, MH), Sylvia Ciezak (6-1, OH/MH) and Lockhart (5-11, OH). "I'm relying on my freshman to push the returning players," said Lockyer. "I'm not expecting that they will have to start, but the depth they provide gives us options." "The mindset of this team is better than last year," said Lockyer. "They saw the benefits of their in-season and off-season workouts last spring and have embraced what that effort can do for them." The Flyers will face a GLVC that is becoming tougher and more balanced top-to-bottom than it ever has. Lockyer pointed to defending champion Indianapolis, Northern Kentucky and Southern Illinois Edwardsville as the top conference opponents on the league schedule. "We will have the depth to play well and compete for the conference title," said Lockyer. "Team chemistry, as it always does, will play a role in keeping the team's competitive drive going."