Women's Volleyball 2001 Outlook

With five starters back headed by two-year All-Conference player April Mellott, East Stroudsburg's women's volleyball team will be favored to repeat as the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Eastern Division champion.

At a Glance
2000 Record: 16-17
2000 PSAC Division Record: 9-1, 1st (lost in Semi-Finals of PSAC Playoffs)
Letter-Winners Back: 7, Lost: 3
Starters Back: 5, Lost: 1
Home Court: Koehler Fieldhouse (1,500)

The Warriors finished 9-1 in the division last season, lost in the semi-finals of the PSAC Final Four and then gained a first-ever berth in the NCAA Division II Volleyball Championships, bowing in the first round. The team's final record was 16-17.

"We should be better than last year, but perhaps our record won't reflect it," said Coach John Greenlee. "We still aren't very big - our tallest players are only 5-10 and 5-11, and that caused us problems last year when we ran into big athletically-skilled teams." Still, Greenlee feels that his 2001 Warriors can win the division title again and be the host school for the conference playoffs Nov. 9-10. He also thinks his squad can earn a berth in the NCAA tournament again. "These goals are doable," he says. "We'll have to play better defense than our opponents and get the same, and perhaps improved, hitting and blocking."

Mellott is the key returnee. The 5-8 junior was chosen as the 2000 PSAC East Player of the Year last season. She led the division in hitting with a .350 average and also was tops with 449 kills or 4.24 per game last season. "April is a natural hitter with a big jump and a quick arm swing," says Greenlee. "She doesn't make mistakes, see blocks well and can cut around them."

The Warriors have two other All-Conference players returning in 5-10 middle blocker Sarah Brown, a first team choice, and 5-8 outside hitter Andrea Myers, who made the second team. Brown set a school record with 100 blocks for an average of 0.88 per game. Myers was the team leader in digs with 399 or 3.44 per game. Also back are middle blocker Cassie Brinn, one of the team's tallest players at 5-11, and outside hitter Jessica Nourse, who is 5-9.

The lone missing starter is setter Ashleigh Reinert, who made the All-PSAC first team. Greenlee has a replacement, however, in junior Heidi Johnston, who was the starting setter two years ago and averaged 10.03 assists per game. One other letter-winner returns in senior defensive specialist Jenny Hackett, who played in nine matches last season before breaking her wrist. She is counted on to make up for the loss of two back row players, Chrissy Tweed and Laurie Weisbrod. Two players, defensive player Kristen O'Connell and outside hitter Kristin Matejicka red-shirted last year and will be ready to make their collegiate debuts.

The team has a number of newcomers who can work their way into the regular rotation, according to Greenlee. There are three transfers in 5-11 Marisa Baer from Northampton Community College and 5-8 Elizabeth Leone from Muhlenberg, both left-handed front row players, and Amanda DeMatteo from Gannon, counted on to to be a defensive specialist. The freshman group includes 5-8 Lauren Czasynski, 5-11 Abby Hazelton, back row players Jackie Horvath and Becky Higgins and setter Jodi Wenger.

Sports Information Established by Michele Greth, Former Graduate Assistant

ESU Home... Pete Nevins , Sports Information Director Updated 5/27/00