University of Connecticut Athletics
Huskies Ready to Meet Goals in 2004
7/6/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
After finishing the last season winning nine of 11 matches, the 2004 University of Connecticut volleyball team is poised to continue on the same level heading into the new season. The squad returns its leader on the court in senior Jamie Hadenfeldt (Benicia, Calif.) who earned All-BIG EAST Second Team honors in 2003, and also brings back five starters who are ready to lead the team back to the BIG EAST Tournament after missing out on earning a chance to compete in their most recent campaign.
"Connecticut has had a strong tradition of placing as a top team in the BIG EAST Conference Tournament," says head coach Kelli Myers, "and our goal is to get back there this season. Our conference has gotten a lot stronger over the past few years and it is important to our players that we work to put ourselves in a position to compete. That is our goal every year and we have been preparing for it during the off season."
Seniors
The two seniors on the 2004 squad, Hadenfeldt and Brittany Conover (Bargersville, Ind.), are known for their hard work and dedication to the sport, and will be strong leaders for a team looking to make its way back up the ranks. Hadenfeldt "has continued to improve her game every year she has been in the program," says Myers. "She is coming off of a strong junior year and I expect her to take on a bigger leadership role this season. Jamie is a great athlete who has really made strides in the off season, and is playing some great volleyball right now. I expect for her to put everything together for her senior year."
Conover, a middle hitter, was one of only three players to play in all 118 games last season. She established herself as the team’s leading blocker, and finished the season ranked sixth in blocks per game among all players in the BIG EAST. "I look for Brittany to bring more to the team this year," says Myers. "She ended last season putting up solid numbers for us, and we will look for her to build on that heading into the fall." With Conover’s blocking skills and Hadenfeldt’s prowess on both offense and defense, the two are likely to lead the team in nearly every statistical category this season.
Juniors
A strong mix of talent defines this year’s junior class, as middle hitter Megan Crawley (Georgetown, Texas), setter Jenny Neelands (Gainesville, Fla.) and outside hitter Heather Ashley (Smithsburg, Md.) will combine to make up the core of the starting squad. Crawley has proven to be a strong asset for the team in the first two years of her career, and is one of the most accurate hitters in the history of the UConn program, having hit .314 over two years to rank second all-time. Crawley "has been working to improve her defensive game and has made great strides this off season," says Myers. "She has already identified herself as a leader on this team, and will be counted on for a lot this season."
Neelands will take over the role of starting setter after the graduation of Julie Erbez. The experience won’t be brand new to Neelands, who got the starting nod in 20 matches last season both as the primary setter when Erbez was injured, and as the second setter in a two-setter formation. Says Myers of Neelands, "Jenny is such a hard worker and I am excited to see how she does this year." Ashley started in 24 of 27 matches she played in as a sophomore, and ranked third on the team in total kills with 229. Ashley is a strong presence all around and in addition to kills, she put up solid numbers in service aces, digs and blocks last season.
Sophomores
Myers believes the returning sophomore class has made strong improvements in the off season, and the group will be expected to make solid contributions this year. Three of this year’s sophomores, Kaity Craig (Terryville, Conn.), Sam Bell (Saratoga, Calif.) and Megan Silver (Snohomish, Wash.) saw action in their rookie seasons, while the fourth, Mary Shaw (Arlington, Texas) will be competing for the first time after sitting out the 2003 season with an injury. Silver saw time in 14 matches as a freshman, and according to Myers, "has been training in both the middle and right side positions and is ready for the challenge."
Bell was a strong defensive presence in her freshman season, playing in all 32 of the team’s matches and ranking fourth on the team in overall digs with 235. Says Myers, "Sam’s role as a defensive specialist last fall was great preparation for taking over the libero position this year. Her strong defensive skills and passing will be looked for in the back court." Craig saw limited action in her first season, but "at 6’3" will be a new dimension to have in the middle and we are excited about that," says Myers. Shaw will be competing as a redshirt freshman, and if she’s healthy says Myers, "she will add depth to both the left side and right side positions. Having her on the floor immediately makes us a faster and more athletic team."
Newcomers
Five incoming freshman will join the UConn team this season, and each have a chance to make an impact on the court. At 5’10", Nicole Boyd will back-up Neelands at the setter position. Boyd comes from a strong program at Martin High School in Arlington, Texas, and was selected All-District as a senior. Sadé Chambers will come in as the tallest member of the freshman class at 6’3", and will be looking for playing time at the middle hitter position. Chambers was named All-State in her senior year at Baldwinsville High School in Baldwinsville, N.Y., and earned All-League First Team honors three times.
Outside hitter Ashley Robbins comes to UConn after being selected All-League and Player of the Year as a senior at Norco High School in Norco, Calif. Robbins brings some height to the squad at 5’11", along with Brittany Stewart who is a 5’10" outside hitter and four-year varsity starter at Marian Catholic High School in Dolton, Ill. Stewart was an All-State, All-Conference and All-Area selection who finished her career as one of the school’s all-time kill leaders, and also helped sparked Marian Catholic to four regional titles.
Rounding out the incoming class is 5-8 defensive specialist Julie Pickard, who earned four varsity letters at Riverside High School in Hillsborough, N.C., and was named All-Conference as a senior. Says Myers of the new class: "The incoming freshman class is going to be really strong. I think that each of them will contribute this year in some way. This is a very athletic class that is very excited to join this team and help us accomplish our program goals."
Schedule
The Huskies’ schedule in 2004 is no pushover, as UConn will travel to meet some tough opposition early on before facing their traditionally strong BIG EAST opponents later in the season. The Wake Forest Deacon Invitational will be the season-opening tournament for UConn, who will face Marshall, South Carolina and host Wake Forest over two days of play on September 3-4. After a single home match against New Hampshire on Sept. 7, the Huskies will play host to Long Island, Stony Brook and Holy Cross in the Connecticut Invitational. UConn’s toughest test will follow, as they head to Gainesville, Fla., to take on some of the strongest competition of the season. First up for the Huskies will be UC Santa Barbara, who finished the 2003 season ranked #22 in the national poll. If UConn can knock off UCSB, they are likely to be rewarded with a match against powerhouse Florida, who was the runner-up in the national championship game last year.
Myers says the tournament "should be a great atmosphere for our players. We are going to have the opportunity to play some great competition and also travel to a place where fans are really into volleyball. We get to take Jenny (Neelands) back to Gainesville, so that should be a special trip for our team."
Following the trip to Florida, Gampel Pavilion will be the site of the Toyota UConn Husky Classic which will feature teams from Marquette, Houston and Maryland-Eastern Shore. Toyota will be on board for the first time as a sponsor of UConn Athletics and the volleyball program. The Huskies’ fourth and final tournament of the season is the BIG EAST Challenge, which will be hosted by Rutgers. UConn will play Villanova on the first day, and either Rutgers or Boston College on the final day.
Four home matches will follow for UConn, who will face intrastate rival Quinnipiac on October 6 before taking on their first conference opponent when they play host to Villanova on October 9. The Huskies will face another ranked opponent from last season when they travel to BIG EAST rival Notre Dame on November 5 as part of a three-game road stretch which will also include matches at Syracuse and Boston College.
UConn will close out the season at home with a match against St. John’s on Nov. 13, and the Hartford Courant/CareerBuilder.com Senior Salute on Nov. 14 against Robert Morris.
"Our schedule this year will be very challenging for our players," says Myers. "It will be a strong schedule that will help prepare us for conference competition. We are excited about the year and the caliber of teams that we will be competing against this season."
