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2007 Outlook
Gannon Starts Climb Back Uphill
Under New Head Coach Matt Darling
A commonplace of the sports
world suggests that a small change in scenery can bring about significant
improvements in the fortunes of a team.
Gannon hopes that the 2007 season exemplifies this maxim. After missing the
post-season for three consecutive seasons, the Lady Knights enter the preseason
with a new head coach and a new outlook on life.
“So far, so good,” smiled first-year head coach Matt Darling when asked about
how things were going early in preseason camp.
“The best thing about this team is that the players had a sense that a change
would do them good. There has been no resistance. The players have embraced
the changes we’ve brought in. As they start to achieve success, I believe
that will only snowball in a good way.
“There were a lot of questions from the players at the end of the spring
season about why we were doing certain things. We didn’t play other programs
in the spring. We practiced, trained, and drilled. Now, they are starting
to see why we did the things we did. I think everyone is on board with what
we are trying to do, and I couldn’t have asked for a better group in terms
of embracing all the different ways in which we do things.”
Gannon returns five letterwinners and four starters from last year’s 9-14
squad. Julienne Moots, the lone returning non-starter, still made three starts
last season.
The goals are modest after missing three consecutive post-seasons. “We have
important goals, but they are ones that are reachable in the first year,”
noted Darling. “First, we are emphasizing ball control. Second, we need to
prolong rallies by reducing our unforced errors. Finally, we need to improve
our conditioning.
“We are doing fairly well in terms of ball control and conditioning. The
reduction of errors is going to take some time. For our team to be successful
in the GLIAC, we need to minimize our errors as much as possible.”
If the Lady Knights can achieve their modest goals, there is one major goal
on the horizon.
“I asked the two seniors what they wanted out of their senior years,” said
Darling. “They both stated they wanted to experience the post-season for
the first time in their collegiate careers. So, the motivation is out there
for the rest of the team to get their seniors to the post-season.
“However, that is the peak of the mountain and we have a lot of ground to
cover and it’s all uphill at this point. We need to focus on our daily goals
first. If we stay focused and do the basics correctly, the post-season goal
will take care of itself.”
Noelle Schad is Gannon’s leading kill returner and headlines a wide-open
outside hitter position. The senior was second on the team in kills (227)
and third in digs (241). She enters the 2007 campaign with 395 kills and
515 digs during her three-year career.
“Noelle is one of our best all-around players,” noted Darling. “She has done
a nice job assuming all the responsibilities that a good outside hitter takes
on. We will need her offensive skills, passing skills, and leadership.”
Four freshmen will compete for a playing time after Schad. Gail Andrews,
Kendall Fischer, Brooke Orris, and Holly Urbanick are expected to get equal
opportunities to seize playing time as all four possess different strengths.
Two solid setters will be in charge of getting them the ball in position
for kills. Maire Prybyl returns after a solid freshman campaign last year.
She dished out 754 assists, the 15th-highest single-season total in school
history. Plus, she ranked seventh among GLIAC players in assists per game
(9.43) and eighth in service aces per game (0.49).
“If I had to establish a front runner at any position, it would probably
be Maire at setter,” said Darling. “She has been setting for a number of
years, has a year of collegiate experience, and has been through the GLIAC.
She knows what it takes to win in this league and has really expressed the
desire to do the extra training needed to become a solid setter.”
Fischer, who will mainly see time at outside hitter, is expected to be the
back-up setter. “Kendall has shown a lot of improvement and can set well
if needed. Thus, I think she will see most of her time at right-side hitter.
She can handle the second balls when Maire is digging.”
Two players who made starts last season return at middle blocker, the only
position that can lay claim to multiple returning starters.
Juniors Ashley Tubbs and Julienne Moots will initially be the top two players
in the middle.
Tubbs started every match last season, leading the team in blocks (71) and
finishing fourth in kills (194).
Moots played in 21 matches, starting three. She is expected to be a front-row
player while Tubbs can play all the way around the rotation.
Jaime VanEnkevort should eventually compete with Tubbs and Moots for playing
time at middle hitter. The sophomore transferred from Northern Michigan,
but did not see action as a Wildcat last season. “She has been out of the
sport for a year,” said Darling. “Once she gets the reps, I think she will
be able to help us in the middle.”
Orris, who will see most of her time at outside hitter, could also see time
at middle hitter during the early portion of the season until a set rotation
is formed.
The defensive specialist and libero position also will be hotly-contested.
Alyse Parker is the only returning player, starting 21 matches last season.
One of two seniors, Parker recorded 200 digs and 26 service aces.
“Alyse was in the gym all spring and understands the technique,” noted Darling.
“She has shown good senior leadership and will definitely be competing for
playing time.”
Freshman Jess Saunders and sophomore transfer Kadie Zimmerman will compete
with Parker for playing time at defensive specialist.
Urbanick may also take on a large responsibility in the backrow when she
isn’t playing up front.
Darling remains optimistic despite seven newcomers. “Based on what I’ve seen
so far, I think we’re going to be more skilled than some recent Gannon teams.”
If road trips truly help create team unity, the Lady Knights won’t have any
trouble forming team chemistry in 2007. The squad plays 12 of its first 13
matches and 15 of its first 18 away from home.
Gannon hosts only Tiffin, Wayne State, and Hillsdale during the first five
weeks of the regular season.
On the bright side, six of the final eight matches take place at the Hammermill
Center. The final two contests will feature the Lady Knights in local rivalry
matches against Edinboro (October 31) and Mercyhurst (November 3).
Gannon University~University Square ~ Erie, PA 16541-0001
Toll
Free: 1-800-GANNON-U
Sports Press Box E-mail
updated
8/21/07 by: drt
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