By Derek Turner
Preseason polls don’t mean much to women’s volleyball head coach Linda Sagnelli, because every team starts the season with one goal in mind, make the top four of the Northeast Conference and qualify for the tournament.
The Blue Devils come into the 2011 season with a fairly veteran team, which includes seven returning players and five new girls, two of which are junior college transfers from Santa Barbara City College in California, Allyson Porter and Jennifer Waddill.
Key players returning from last year’s 11-18 team, 8-8 in NEC play are captains Danielle Gasser and Second team All-NEC athlete Sara DeLacy.
Of the returning core, Emily Cochran, the 2009 NEC Rookie of the Year is described by coach Sagnelli as the anchor of the team.
“She is our leading passer, plus she is the starting outside hitter for us,” said Sagnelli. “She has come into preseason for us ready to go, physically strong; our strength coach has done a magnificent job with the team.”
The team started preparing for the 2011 season back in January and have really committed themselves to being in the best possible shape they can be said Sagnelli.
“It shows on the court, we’re stronger, we’re faster, we’re jumping higher; all those things that give you the little extra edge,” said Sagnelli on the team’s commitment.
Junior Jamie Rademacher is described by coach Sagnelli as a totally different player from last year.
“She worked hard to be physically stronger and there’s an explosiveness to her, she’s very dynamic with the ball,” said Sagnelli.
Aug. 12 began the longest preseason the Blue Devils have had and the team has taken advantage. The work extends beyond the time they spend practicing in the gym. The strength coach works with the team in the weight room and together they spend time in the pool doing team-building exercises to get ready for tournament play.
By the end of the month when conference play begins Sagnelli would like to have an established offense and know how risky the team is capable of being.
Porter and Brittany Schumacher are two new comers who Sagnelli hope to anchor the defense along with Amalia Ashley.
“They have become our three person defensive core that we can rely on during a game and that’s developing and their roles are developing,” said Sagnelli.
The Blue Devils hope to be above .500 by the time conference play begins at the end of the month, but playing these tougher, bigger schools can only prepare the women for what they have to look forward to in the NEC.
The Blue Devils have been on the road since the start of the season, losing four of the last six match ups. The team won’t open home play until CCSU hosts the Blue Devil Invitational this upcoming weekend with matches against St. Peter’s on Friday at 4:30 p.m., Bucknell on Saturday at 1 p.m. followed by Stony Brook at 3:30 p.m.