Volleyball News Releases
Veteran Rams look for big year in 2009
MOUNT VERNON - The 2009 version of Cornell College's volleyball team will look much like that of last year. In fact, the Rams' starting lineup could be exactly the same.
The Rams bring back all six starters and their libero from last year's squad that finished 16-16 overall and placed sixth in the Iowa Conference at 3-5. Head coach Jeff Meeker landed the Rams in the IIAC Tournament for the sixth time in his seven years at the helm. He believes the pieces are in place for better things to come this fall.
"I feel like this is the most talented and experienced team I've ever had here," said Meeker, who owns a 110-121 career mark on the Hilltop. "I want to compete for a conference championship. We will need a few things to go our way and we have to stay injury free. Our biggest hurdle will be learning how to win big points in close games. That's what prevented us from having a better year last season."
Twelve of the Rams' losses last season went at least four sets. A seasoned group of 11 letterwinners could help reverse those fortunes, led by team tri-captains Kristin Paczosa (Arlington Heights, Ill./Buffalo Grove), Laura Dudgeon (Bettendorf/Bettendorf) and Suzi Enoch (Colorado Springs, Colo./Cheyenne Mountain).
Paczosa and Dudgeon, both fourth-year senior starters, make up one of the top hitting tandems in the league with nearly 2,000 career kills between them. Dudgeon was a 2008 first team all-IIAC pick and an honorable mention all-region performer at middle hitter. She led the Rams in kills (3.01 kps) and ranked second in the IIAC in hitting percentage (.334). Paczosa, a second team all-IIAC selection in 2007, was second on the team in kills (2.73 kps), aces (39) and digs (2.79 dps).
Dudgeon is second on Cornell's career kills list with 1,017. Paczosa follows close behind in third place with 972 kills. Both should surpass all-time leader Kori Sims (1,151 kills) this season.
"Those two seniors are capable of scoring a lot of points," Meeker said. "I think both have grown as leaders. I feel that our team has been building leadership the last three or four years."
Right side hitter Enoch, outside hitters Alissa Benjamin (Lakewood, Colo./D'Evelyn) and Simone Wright (Zion, Ill./Waukegan) and setter Hannah Boehmer (Riverside/Mid-Prairie) are returning juniors with starting experience the past two seasons. Benjamin (243) and Enoch (212) each topped 200 kills a year ago. Wright led all Cornell regulars with 0.51 blocks per set.
Boehmer was an honorable mention all-IIAC pick in 2008 after setting the school's single-season record for assists with 1,118. She led the league in aces (0.49 aps) and ranked third in assists (9.3 aps). Boehmer is third on Cornell's career chart for aces with 140, closing in on the all-time mark held by Hope Coffin (193).
The Rams welcome back their starting libero in sophomore Caiti Hladky (Fort Lupton, Colo./Valley). She enjoyed a fine rookie campaign, ranking third in the IIAC with 4.2 digs per set.
"The talent and experience will be there," Meeker said. "We should be strong offensively, but we really need to improve on the defensive end. I think defense can absolutely be a strength. We need to block and dig more balls."
Cornell's cast of returning letterwinners also includes seniors Rachel Spriggs (Parsons, Kan./Labette County), CJ Ronhovde (Elmwood, Neb./Elmwood-Murdock) and Laura Welch (Houston, Texas/Lamar) and sophomore Kayla Gaines (Webb City, Mo./Webb City). All four players are listed as defensive specialists with Welch also spending time at setter.
The Rams' 19-player roster features five freshmen, highlighted with middle hitter Morgan May (Dubuque/Wahlert) and setter Kristi Higgins (Minocqua, Wis./Lakeland Union).
Cornell opens the season Sept. 1 at Monmouth (Ill.) before traveling to the Illinois College Tournament Sept. 5-6 in Jacksonville, Ill. The Rams begin IIAC play Sept. 9 at Simpson. Cornell has only five scheduled home matches this fall: Sept. 17 Mount Mercy, Sept. 23 Dubuque, Oct. 6 Luther, Oct. 27 Loras and Nov. 3 Wartburg.
"The challenge for us is the conference will be very deep this year," Meeker said. "I think the IIAC will reassert itself nationally."
