WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP IN 2007

CHICOPEE, MA, Sept. 7, 2007 - There is no substitute for experience - just ask Elms College women's volleyball head coach Cathy Markowski.

With the return of eight players, including five starters from last season's school-record seven-win campaign, the Blazers appear poised to make a run into the upper half of the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) standings come late October.

"We have more options at every position than in years past," Coach Markowski noted. "We were so young last year, but now our returning players have experience and confidence. We could be very successful this season."

In 2006, the Blazers went 7-17 and earned the program's fourth NAC Tournament quarterfinal berth in the last five years.

The Blazers do have a big void to fill, however, with the departure of 2006 NAC Rookie of the Year Chie Inoue, who returned to Japan following a year as an exchange student at Elms College. She became the first player in the program's five-year history to earn the conference's top rookie honor following a stellar season that saw her finish among the conference's top 10 leaders in hitting percentage, service aces, and digs. Inoue's 174 kills, 63 aces, and 273 digs all established new single-season records.

OUTSIDE HITTERS/OPPOSITES

The Blazers return a pair of solid offensive threats in sophomore opposite Amanda Konsewicz (Westfield, MA) and 5-8 senior outside hitter Kristen Havey (Methuen, MA).

The two combined for 139 kills 69 aces and 207 digs last season.

The Blazers will likely be bolstered by the addition of freshman outside hitter Jeannette Nunez (Canovanas, Puerto Rico), a transfer from the University of Puerto Rico-Carolina who brings a combined six years of high school and club volleyball playing experience.

"Fundamentally she is extremely sound and has no weaknesses," Coach Markowski said of Nunez. "I can safely say she will be the best player in our conference."

Senior opposite Princess Eckles (Belmont Port of Spain, Trinidad) returns and is joined by freshmen Lindsay LaCoille (Ludlow, MA), and Debora Ortiz (Carolina, Puerto Rico).

MIDDLES

Sophomore 5-9 middle hitter Melissa Clark (Chicopee, MA) brings size and proven experience to the net.

Clark finished with 117 kills - second to only Inoue - and a team-leading 42 total blocks in 2006.

"Melissa spent time in off-season conditioning and the results will show," Coach Markowski predicted. "I believe she will be among the top blockers in the NAC."

Junior Sashiann Johnson (Belchertown, MA) appeared in 42 games a year ago as the team's other returning middle hitter.

THE SETTER

Sophomore Kim Phillips (Randolph, MA) returns as the go-to setter for the Blazers following a stellar first year that saw her establish a single-season record 415 assists in 85 games (4.88 assists per game) last season.

"Kim has put in the extra time in conditioning and has matured a lot on the court in just one year," Coach Markowski said. "She communicates effectively and provides us a positive on-court presence."

DEFENSIVE SPECIALISTS

Junior Katherine Newman (Christ Church, Barbados) and sophomore Christie Sevigny (Chicopee, MA) return after splitting time in the back row for the Blazers last season. The two, who are joined by freshman Nicole Provost (Ludlow, MA), appeared in a combined 109 games a year ago.

SCHEDULE

The Blazers will need to win on the road, as they just two of its first 12 dates in the friendly confines of the Maguire Center.

After playing their first three matches on the road during the opening week of the season, the Blazers host Lesley and Husson in a critical conference tri-match on Saturday, September 15.

Following a non-conference home match against Mount Holyoke five days later, the Blazers once again hit the road and do not return home until a non-conference tri-match against WPI and Anna Maria on October 13.

In all, Elms College has just four home dates this season.

WRAP-UP

With the departure of perennial conference powers Mount Ida and Lasell to the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC), the Blazers now find themselves in a very wide-open NAC.

To Coach Markowski, the keys to success are simple.

"We need to communicate well on the court and put forth a consistent effort from start-to-finish in every game," she said. "We'll need contributions from all 12 players."