Women's Volleyball Looks to Soar in 2011

In his first year at the helm of the Newbury College women’s volleyball program, Head Coach Chris Taylor led the Nighthawks to the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) semifinals with a 4-3 conference record. With nine players from the 2010 squad returning in 2011, the Nighthawks look to be a strong contender for the conference title.

2010 Review

Newbury earned their second trip to the semifinal round, hosted by Daniel Webster College, in Nashua by rallying from an 0-2 hole against Elms College in the conference quarterfinals. In the Nighthawks first home NECC post-season match, Jessy Touron registered 14 of her game-high 26 kills in games three through five leading the charge to the 3-2 win and a date with the Daniel Webster College Eagles in the semifinals. Despite falling to the Eagles, 3-1, in the semifinals, Regina Sibilia earned NECC All Tournament Team honors tallying 24 set assists.

The Agawam native was not the only Nighthawk to garner All-Conference honors in 2010. Middle blocker Stephanie Williams and 2011 graduate, Amy Chen received All-NECC Honorable Mention honors. Williams led the Nighthawks with 63 total blocks including 40 solos while Chen led the team with 368 defensive digs.

2011 Outlook

Outside Hitters

Senior Tricia Corriveau leads the pack of outside hitters. Corriveau enters her senior season 15 kills shy of 500 in her career at Newbury with 485. She will joined for the second year with Brockton native Jessy Touron, who returns for her sophomore year at Newbury. Touron led the Nighthawks with 220 kills last year and was third tallying 34 total blocks. Fellow senior Felicia Jones will also see time at the outside hitting position over the course of the 2011 season as well.

Setters

One of the more important positions in volleyball is the setter. Juniors Regina Sibilia and Sarah Young bring stability to the position. In addition to earning All Tournament honors at the 2010 NECC Championship, Sibilia surpassed her season-high in set assists registering 570 in 2010 – 252 more than she tallied as a freshman in 2009. Young will also see time some time at the setter position in addition to being an outside hitter.

Right Side Hitters

After solid freshman year in 2009 leading the Nighthawks with 226 kills and second in service aces with 53, Sara Hanna returns to the hard-court for her junior season, highlighting a strong group of right side hitters. Appearing in 77 matches, Leanne Cann has amassed 60 kills and 52 total blocks in her four year career and returns for her senior season. Sarah Young and first year Sydney Fish from Paw Paw, Mich. look to vie for time at the right side.

Middle Blockers

In addition to playing the right side, Fish will also spend some time at middle blocker along with classmate and Denver, Colo. native Lauren Watson-Pierce. Both Fish and Watson-Pierce improve the Nighthawk defense in 2011.

Defensive Specialist/Libero

After Amy Chen graduated last May, the Nighthawks will have four players in the rotation as the defensive specialist. Junior Talia Martinez leads the pack, appearing in 55 matches over her two years at Newbury she has amassed 252 defensive digs in her career. She will split time along with Liz Donofrio, who saw action in 24 sets and returns for her second year. Young and freshman Meghan McDermott round out the group who will also spend some time at libero this season.

- Photo by: Samantha Yanofsky