The 2009 season was one of change for the Waynesburg volleyball team, as it was forced to replace five graduated starters. The result was a 6-20 season that included a 3-11 mark in Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) play.
However, there were definite positives to the campaign. With so many starting jobs up for grabs, a slew of freshmen and sophomores gained valuable on-court experience and were forced to battle hard in practice for playing time. After a year of seasoning, Benkowski will look to combine a small, but experienced group of returners with a large, talented recruiting class in 2010.
MIDDLE HITTER
Sophomore Shannon Langworthy returns after a very active freshman season, during which she played in every match for the Yellow Jackets. During her collegiate debut season, Langworthy led the team in solo blocks (30), assisted blocks (32) and total blocks (62). She also chipped in on the offense with 91 total kills, which ranked third on the team.
After Langworthy, depth at the position will be filled out with newcomers, including 6-0 freshman Mabel Culp, a local product from nearby Jefferson-Morgan, who was an all-state honoree and the record holder for career kills at J-M. Fellow freshman Heather Marshall, along with sophomore transfer Lauren Wagner, who saw time at Division II Mercyhurst, will also be battling for court time.
OUTSIDE HITTER
Junior Jordan Barton is expected to lead the attack for a second-straight season at outside hitter after a breakout junior campaign. The Burgettstown native led the team in kills (242), while also leading the team and ranking seventh in the PAC in kills per set (2.78). She put together nine double-digit kill efforts on the season. However, Barton’s season was far from one-dimensional. She also finished second on the team and leads all returning players in digs (307) and digs per set (3.75).
Junior Carly Schubert is also back and coming off of a solid 2009, in which she finished second on the team with 175 kills and 2.01 kills per set. She also led the team in attack percentage (.183) and, like Barton, also chipped in defensively. Schubert finished third on the team in solo blocks (14), assisted blocks (21) and total blocks (35).
Like the middle hitter position, the outside’s depth will feature some impressive looking newcomers. Included in the group are Katelyn Blaich, Amanda Silay, Shayla Mitrik and Sarah Drysdale, who all bring lengthy high school resumes with them to Waynesburg.
RIGHT SIDEHITTER
The starting right side hitter spot will likely be determined in preseason practice. If a veteran doesn’t step up to claim the spot, the job could go to Drysdale or Sam Styche.
SETTER
After taking over as the starter midway through the season, sophomore Carly Smithyman put together some impressive numbers during her first season with the Yellow Jackets. She led the team in assists (398) and assists per set (6.22); the latter mark ranked her ninth in the PAC. Smithyman was also a consistent contributor to the Jackets during her debut season, as she reached double digits in assists during every match but one and cracked 30 assists three times.
The depth behind Smithyman could be filled out by freshmen Natalie Ranallo or Rachel Larimore.
LIBERO/DEFENSIVE SPECIALISTS
Sophomore Presley Cupp returns to the 2010 Yellow Jackets and leads the race for the starting job at defensive specialist. Freshman Brittany Brown and Dana Della Loggia both have high school experience at the position.
SCHEDULE
The 2010 schedule features 29 scheduled matches, including the season-opener against Pitt-Greensburg at the Rudy Marisa Fieldhouse on Sept. 1. Following that contest, the Yellow Jackets will take part in the two-day Saint Vincent Bearcat Challenge, which runs on Sept. 4 and 5.
The PAC looks to be an incredibly competitive conference this year with Saint Vincent, a team that went 23-11 last year, becoming a full member.