Volleyball Set To Open 2006 Campaign Friday Evening As Skyhawks Head To Long Island For Two-Day C.W. Post Invitational

August 30, 2006

A youthful Skyhawk volleyball squad is set to head into action during the 2006 campaign, as Head Coach Brad Alexander returns for his fifth season with a solid group of veterans to rely upon following the loss of five starters to graduation last spring. And while experience may be at a premium with those losses to graduation, talent and excitement remain at high levels for Stonehill this fall.

Leadership will be a key factor in the Skyhawk fortunes this season, and Alexander will look to junior middle hitter Rebekah Saunders (Gilford, N.H./Gilford) for that leadership, as she has been appointed team captain for the 2006 campaign. Alexander describes Saunders as "someone who will be a role model for our program both on and off the court. Rebekah's leadership qualities make her the perfect person to set an example for her teammates to follow."

Saunders has established herself as a standout front-line performer for Stonehill in her brief two-year career, as she led the Skyhawks with 65 total blocks in 2005 while adding 130 kills, 94 digs and 23 service aces. Sophomores Jackie Foster (Arlington, Mass./Arlington Catholic) and Heidi Woerner (North Kingstown, R.I./North Kingstown) join Saunders as returning middle hitters for Alexander, as Foster recorded 49 total blocks and 43 kills in 61 games played while Woerner added 50 kills and 42 blocks in 52 game appearances.

Sophomore Katherine Masson (Acushnet, Mass./New Bedford) and junior Tara Munch (West Islip, N.Y./St. Anthony's) return to bolster the outside hitting corps for Stonehill, as Masson ranked among the Skyhawk leaders with 157 kills, 20 total blocks and 17 service aces during her rookie campaign last fall. Munch lends additional experience after appearing in 33 total games, recording 16 digs and 10 service aces along the way.

Five newcomers dot the Skyhawk roster and will provide additional depth at key positions. Freshmen Andrea Dupre (Billerica, Mass./Billerica Memorial) and Mary Gannon (Lowell, Mass./Lowell) will look to contribute on the right side for Alexander, while freshman Kristen Hordern (Swansea, Mass./Case) should emerge as Stonehill's setter during her rookie campaign. Sophomore Patricia Godio (East Rockaway, N.Y./Kellenberg Memorial) is vying for time as a defensive specialist, while freshman Samantha Marcin (Somers, N.Y./Somers) looks to contribute as the Skyhawks' libero.

Stonehill begins the 2006 season on Friday, September 1st when the Skyhawks travel to Brookville, N.Y. to participate in the two-day C.W. Post Invitational. Alexander's crew opens both its home and Northeast-10 Conference slate on Wednesday, September 6th by entertaining Franklin Pierce at Merkert Gymnasium.