Season Outlook
The 2009 season is not just filled with promise for the Haverford College volleyball team; it is a chance to make history. Haverford starts this year’s campaign ranked No. 24 in the country and as three-time defending Centennial Conference champions. Only Gettysburg College has won at least four straight (2001-05) so a championship this season would solidify a dynasty for the Fords in the later part of this decade.
The Lineup
Haverford returns all nine letterwinners and six starters from last season to a team that is the preseason favorite to win the conference. Although the squad features a balanced attack HC will rely on senior outside hitters Rachel and Rebecca Salvo. The twin sisters have combined for 2,420 kills, five First-Team All-Centennial Conference, four All-Mid-Atlantic Region, three All-American and two Centennial Conference Player of the Year selections in three seasons.
“You can tell they want to win by the way they practice, more now than ever,” said Head Coach Amy Bergin.
Last season Rebecca was the conference leader with 417 kills and led the team in kills per set (3.63), hitting percentage (.283), digs (417) and digs per set (3.58) en route to being named Centennial Player of the Year. Rachel supplemented her sister with 354 kills, 390 digs, 41 service aces and 49 blocks to earn first-team all-conference honors.
Although the Salvo’s carried the team a season ago it was the emergence of Franny Glick and Kelsey Cantwell that helped the Fords down the stretch. Now entering their junior season they combined for 431 kills and 637 digs.
“Franny has welcomed a defensive role with open arms,” Bergin said. “She is willing to do what it takes to help this team win.”
Cantwell led the team in service aces (42) for the second consecutive season and was named Honorable Mention All-Centennial.
“Kelsey has been a rock to turn to on the court and she’s a mentally solid player,” described Bergin.
Bergin will also rely on five sophomores to fill the same roles they did during their rookie seasons.
Kate Comey returns as a second-year starter at setter. She fueled an offense that averaged a conference-best 12.8 kills per set in 2008 and dished out 1,062 assists (10.02 per set).
“She matured beyond her years as a setter last season and she knows how to overcome her own weaknesses,” said Bergin.
Caitlyn Tranquillo anchored the back line with 284 digs and 32 service receptions in 31 matches as a freshman. Jenine Abbassi emerged as a key contributor on the front line last year, tallying a team-best 60 blocks (46BA, 14BS) in 24 matches. She filled an important role by providing the defense with many key blocks.
“Caitlyn and Jenine have taken on more of a role on and off this court in the preseason,” Bergin said. “I expect them in addition to Laura (Ramos) and Becca (DeHority) to contribute in key roles again.”
Ramos and DeHority will also see time in those key moments in 2009. Ramos, an outside hitter, was a spark in all facets when called upon last season. She compiled 54 kills, five service aces, 30 digs and three blocks in 18 matches. DeHority can spell Comey when needed and proved a reliable back up as a freshman, averaging 3.55 assists per set.
The Schedule
Haverford opens the season hosting Neumann University on Sept. 1 and then plays three two-day tournaments the over the next three weekends. The Fords hosts Ursinus College on Sept. 22 to open conference play. The very next day they travel to No. 2 Juniata College. In all, the Fords face four non-conference opponents ranked in the American Volleyball Coaches Association Top 25 Preseason Poll in a three-and-a-half week span. The stretch ends with a trip to the West Coast for the Cal Lutheran University Tournament. Haverford closes out the two-day tournament taking on the No. 14 Regals and No. 3 University of La Verne.
“Our schedule was designed so regionally we’re facing teams that will challenge us,” Bergin explained. “Given the expectations we have, there’s no reason not to play four nationally ranked teams.”
After their trip the Fords close out the regular season with five matches, including four conference matches.
The Newcomers
The quartet of middle blockers Emily Mills and Olivia Coburn-Flynn and defensive specialists Kaelyn Anderson and Jordan Scolaro are the only new faces on this year’s squad. Bergin expects an immediate impact from her freshman and sees them contributing to the Fords’ success.
“Our freshman will surprise a lot of people,” Bergin said. “All of them are already in tune mentally and physically and pushing returners for spots.”
What to Expect
Anything short of a fourth straight Centennial Conference title would be an obvious disappointment, but because of the talent level this group has loftier goals.
“Our expectations are high because the talent level is high,” Bergin explained. “With a team this talented we can get deeper into the NCAA Tournament than we have in seasons past.”
The Fords possess all the talent and experience to make that a reality and come Sept. 1 they will be ready for the challenge.