Netters open versus Valparaiso tonight at JACC
By KATHLEEN O'BRIEN
Head volleyball coach Debbie Brown returns a veteran squad this year as the Irish open their season tonight against Valparaiso.
A strong core of players returns from Notre Dame's 1998 Big East championship team, with only middle blocker Lindsay Treadwell lost to graduation and senior outside hitter Mandi Powell sidelined by injury.
"We have a little less depth than what I would like at this point," said Brown, "but we have some good experience returning and high hopes for this season. Each year, the team kind of takes on a different personality and different leaders step up."
The Irish open there 1999 season at 7 p.m. in the JACC versus the Valparaiso Crusaders, who Notre Dame defeated handily last year in three straight games 15-3, 15-4, 15-5. Valparaiso has not beaten the Irish since 1980.
This year's Crusaders will be slightly more seasoned than last year's 10-18 squad, having lost only one player to graduation. However, they did go through a coaching change, replacing Nona Richardson with Becky Madden, who had led the team for three years.
For Notre Dame, senior middle blocker Mary Leffers and junior setter Denise Boylan serve as captains this year.
Leffers is a force to be reckoned with, as at 6-foot-4, she adds significant height to the Irish line-up. Boylan was regarded as one of the top young setters in the nation last season, despite missing part of the season due to injury. This year, she made the pre-season All-Big East squad and should provide experienced leadership.
They will be joined in the starting line-up by outside hitters junior Jo Jameyson and sophomore Marcie Bomhack and by sophomores Kristy Kreher, at opposite, and Malinda Goralski, at middle blocker.
"We want to play strong as a team, have good communication and play at our level the whole time," said Goralski.
In addition, the Irish return several other veteran players. Junior Adrienne Shimmel is a strong reserve at the outside hitter and defensive specialist positions. Senior Emily Schiebout plays opposite.
Junior outside hitter and opposite player Christi Girton, a pre-season All-Big East selection, has potential to make an impact if she can overcome nagging back problems.
Brown said she is impressed with the progress of the team's freshmen — Kaitlin McEwen, Janie Alderete and Keara Coughlin.
"We are trying to be more process-oriented instead of outcome-oriented this year," said Brown. "If we're training at the highest level in practice, I think the results will take care of themselves."
The Irish are ranked 29th nationally to open the season.
All Sports Stories for Wednesday, September 1, 1999
