Aug. 28, 2008

The 2008 PC volleyball team is one of most experienced Coach Margot Royer has worked with in her nine seasons at PC. The roster is composed of a strong class of five seniors that are supported by one junior, five sophomores, and four freshmen. PC plans to build on the success of the 2007 team that posted the highest win total since 1997. With only two seniors lost to graduation, the Friars are excited to prove that they are worthy of comparisons to past great PC teams.

The squad is anchored by a class of seniors that has played together for three years. They have a chemistry that is unmatched by their competition. Aida Cadres (Los Angeles, Calif.) returns as an outside hitter who can also hit from the right side. Elizabeth Flynn (Bellerose, N.Y.) and Jeanette Toney (Brooklyn, N.Y.) will once again star from the middle blocker positions. Kelly Krahenbuhl (Larkspur, Colo.) will anchor the defense as the libero and Sara Sheehan (West Chester, Pa.) will run the up tempo offense at setter.

Abby Majewski (Sunderland, Mass.) is the only junior. A “Most Improved” player, she will be a threat from the outside position with her smart choices. The five sophomores will provide much needed depth. Sophomores Meredith Gent (Reading, Mass.), Kristen Halliday (Bourne, Mass.), and Kourtney Halliday (Bourne, Mass.) are three strong hitters and blockers and sophomores Emily Morris (Hermosa Beach, Calif.) and Sondra Snyder (Norwood, N.J.) provide defense and strong hands.

Four freshmen will push the upperclassmen for positions and provide much needed depth to the squad. Chelsey Thompson (Scottsdale, Ariz.) and Lauren Hendel (Lloyd Harbor, N.Y.) hit on the outside while Lauren Fletcher (Syracuse, N.Y.) attacks from the middle. Carly Morrison (Larkspur, Calif.) will train as the team’s next setter.

The Friars will compete against a competitive slate of opponents from all over the country. They will play seven tournaments including the Fifth Annual Friar Classic and the National Independent Tournament in Orem, Utah. Come out and see the Friars compete in their first home match of the season against Holy Cross on September 3rd.

“We are excited about the 2008 season. With so many returning starters with years of experience together, we will compete with some of the top teams in the country. Our offense is even stronger than last year, but it is our defense that has improved tremendously. It will be fun to coach this group,” Coach Royer said.

The Friars will play four matches at the Tiny Laster Tournament in Hampton, Va., this weekend. PC faces Canisius (11:00 a.m.) and South Carolina State (3:00 p.m.) Friday and battles Hampton (9:00 a.m.) and South Dakota (1:00 p.m.) on Saturday.