Season Outlook
Smaller in numbers with expectations higher than ever. That pretty much sums up head coach Amy Bergin's Haverford volleyball team coming into the 2007 season.
After winning its first-ever Centennial Conference Championship, Haverford earned a number three-seed and reached the second round of the NCAA Division III tournament in 2006, notching its first postseason victory in program history. There is no doubt about it; all eyes are on the Fords.
With 94 points and five first-place votes, Haverford leads the way in this year's Centennial preseason volleyball poll. Not far behind the Fords is Franklin & Marshall (91 points, four first-place votes), who Haverford defeated in the 2006 CC championship match, and Gettysburg (83 points, two first-place votes). Haverford was also the only team from the Centennial to receive points (five) in the CSTV/AVCA Preseason Coaches Poll.
"Being voted first in the preseason polls by your peers is an honor," said coach Bergin, who has amassed 102 wins in just five seasons as Haverford's head volleyball coach. "However, the conference should be extremely exciting as evidenced by the mere three points separating us and Franklin & Marshall. The conference as a whole is well balanced this year, and the girls know what is ahead of them this season."
Sophomore twin sensations and All-CC honorees Rebecca and Rachel Salvo were huge additions to the Haverford volleyball program in 2006, and are primed to be make an even bigger impact on the court this season.
Rebecca Salvo was the first Haverford freshman player to earn first team All-CC honors since Jen Constantino in 2000, and she was only the sixth player to be awarded first team All-CC recognition in the 14 year history of the Centennial Conference. Rebecca Salvo, as an outside hitter, was second in the Centennial in kills per game (3.95), fourth in hitting percentage (.280) and sixth in digs (4.98) last season. Rebecca Salvo was also named named the American Volleyball Coaches Association Mid-Atlantic Region Freshman of the Year for her play on the court in 2006 and was a AVCA All-America Honorable Mention.
Meanwhile, Rachel Salvo earned All-CC honorable mention and AVCA Mid-Atlantic honorable mention status last season, paced Haverford in the middle of the court. Rachel Salvo was tied for eighth in the conference, averaging 3.22 kills per game and 11th with a .241 hitting percentage last season.
None of Haverford's success would be possible without returning second team All-CC senior setter Emily Hinchcliff. Hinchcliff led the Centennial with 1,226 assists and was second averaging 12.14 assists per game in 2006. Hinchcliff, a tri-captain on this year's team, is a steady and reliable setter who is sure to surprise opponents with her quick hands and keen on-the-court-instincts.
Senior tri-captains Lauren Nuyen and Dana Mullenhard, along with senior K'Lynn Solt are all talented leaders who will be looked upon to provide key contributions to the outside and middle hitter positions.
Nuyen provides a quick and powerful swing from the outside and quality digs on the defensive end. Nuyen was tenth in kills and digs the CC in 2006, averaging 3.13 kills and 4.20 assists per game. Mullenhard's .238 hitting percentage was 12th in the Centennial last year, while Solt contributed steady middle play in 106-of-109 Haverford's games in 2006.
"All of the upperclassmen have come into the preseason in shape and ready to compete," noted Bergin.
Freshmen Kelsey Cantwell, Pam Fischer and Franny Glick also give Haverford depth and will bring additional talent to an already loaded team.
"Our freshmen are certainly not playing like freshmen," said coach Bergin. "They are exceeding all of my expectations and I know that all three of them will be key contributors this season."
The volleyball team knows that they are the team to beat in the Centennial, and are ready and looking forward to bringing home another trophy in 2007.