GOLDEN EAGLES LOOKING TO BUILD ON SUCCESS

AS HARRISON BEGINS FIRST SEASON AS HEAD COACH

            CLARION – The Clarion University women’s volleyball team is looking to build on the success it has had over the past six seasons when it starts the 2007 campaign at 5 p.m. Saturday at Tippin Gym against Gannon.

            The Golden Eagles, who are under the direction of first-year head coach Jennifer Harrison, follow up Saturday’s contest with a home match against Davis & Elkins Tuesday at 7 p.m.

            “We’re very excited to get the season underway,” said Harrison, who comes to Clarion from the University of Maryland-Baltimore County. “The players are ready and excited, and I am happy with the way the preseason has gone so far. The players have worked extremely hard.”

            Clarion is coming off a 20-12 overall and 3-7 PSAC-West season that saw the Golden Eagles qualify for the NCAA Division II Playoffs for the fourth time in the past five seasons. It was also Clarion’s school-record sixth consecutive 20-win season.

            “We want to continue the success the program has had the last six years,” Harrison said. “We would also like to become more competitive in the conference and advance farther in the NCAA Playoffs.”

            The Golden Eagles will look to a solid, experienced returning nucleus to lead the way. That group includes five of the top eight players from last season, and the team has six seniors and eight players who are entering their fourth year with the program.

            “I believe there is a lot of talent returning,” Harrison said. “The players are adjusting well to what we are trying to do, although the learning process is still on-going.”

            Headlining the group of returning players on defense is senior Libero Vicky Gentile who is 145 digs away from tying the school record of 2,000 set by Melanie Bull in 2003. Gentile’s 1,855 digs are the second most in school history, and she holds three of the top five single-season dig totals at Clarion including 577 last season, which ties for third most in school history. She holds the school record with 711 in 2004, and her 5.06 digs per game were the third most in the PSAC last year.

            “Vicky has proven herself to be one the top Liberos in the PSAC,” Harrison said. “She will be the defensive leader this season.”

            Sophomore Katie Aurand will also be a key defensive player for Clarion, while fellow sophomores Alison Bolinger, a Clarion Area graduate, and Joy Carey are also fighting for playing time.

            “Alison has had a great preseason,” Harrison said.

            The Golden Eagle offense also looks to be in good hands with the starting setter and the top three outside hitters all returning.

Senior setter Kristi Fiorillo, in her first year as a starter last fall, finished second in the PSAC in assists per game (11.46) while recording 1,284 assists, the eighth most in school history. She added 237 digs a year ago, and her 1,431 career assists ranks seventh all-time at Clarion.

            “I’m extremely comfortable with Kristi’s ability to run the offense,” Harrison said.

            Clarion Area product Dani Hughes, a junior who had 132 assists last season, will back up Fiorillo.

            Christian Steiner, who was an All-PSAC-West second team selection last year, leads a talented group of outside hitters. She is coming an excellent season that saw her lead Clarion with 375 kills while adding 420 digs. Her 3.29 kills per game ranked 10^th in the PSAC, and she ranks 13^th in school history with 858 kills while adding 711 digs.

            “Christina is perhaps the team’s most well-rounded player,” Harrison said. “Offensively, she understands when to swing, and her ball control will make her one of the team’s primary passers.”

            Fellow senior Sarah Fries provides the Golden Eagles with a strong presence at right-side hitter. Fries was second on the team in kills last season with 315 while adding 260 digs. Her 819 kills ranks 15^th in school history.

            Red-shirt junior Amanda Angermeier will also play a key role on offense after recording 187 kills, 76 digs and 36 blocks in 2006.

            Additional players who could be factors at the outside hitting spots include senior Lauren Wiefling, sophomore Amanda Stefanov and freshman Leann Higginbotham.

            The one area that is still up for grabs as the season nears is middle hitter where five players are competiting for the two starting spots.

            Stefanov is joined by senior Tressa Dvorsky, who missed all of last season with an injury, and red-shirt junior Lindsey Wiefling, the twin sister of Lauren, to give Clarion three returning players involved in the battle. Those returning players are joined by freshmen Sarah Sheffield and Nicole Andrusz.  

            GOLDEN EAGLE NOTES – In addition to excelling in the gym, the Golden Eagles also excel in the classroom with thirteen of Clarion’s returning players being Clarion “Scholar-Athletes”, which accounts for 93 percent of the squad … Additional key dates for Clarion include Sept. 11, which is the PSAC-West opener at Slippery Rock, Sept. 18, which is the PSAC-West home opener vs. California, and Oct. 19-20 when the Golden Eagles play host to a PSAC Crossover weekend.