2009 SEASON PREVIEW

The 2009 Lancer volleyball team returns an experienced group of athletes and talented freshmen who are ready to make an impact on the GPAC. With 14 returning players, six new freshmen and one transfer Coach Albert Fernandez is excited for the upcoming season. Coming off their 14-21 season last fall the Lancer volleyball team looks to compete at a high level. The Lancers will be led by three seniors who will work hard and make their last collegiate volleyball season one to remember. Carly Benson, honorable mention all conference 2008, will provide the leadership for this team and continue her hard work as Libero. Benson led the team last season with 546 digs. Kate Carda, a three year letter winner, will play on the outside and use her experience to help the Lancers. Carda in her junior season had 187 kills and 55 blocks. Anne Hanson, who transferred to Mount Marty last fall, is coming off of a great season where she had a competitive impact on the team and made the back row a strong point for the Lancers. Hanson had 387 digs and 27 aces for the Lancers last season.

The junior class has four players returning and all have varsity experience. Maggie Goree will look to continue her solid play on the right side. As a sophomore Goree compiled 198 kills and 29 blocks and will look to have a great junior season. Krista Hohn had a solid sophomore campaign while dealing with an ankle injury. Last season Hohn accumulated 159 kills and 53 blocks while only playing in 86 games. Through her hard work Hohn is looking for her break out season this fall. Krystal Cihak had a solid sophomore season with 78 kills and 9 blocks. One of the most vocal players on the court Cihak will continue to lead the Lancers by inspiring her teammates and could be an impact player on the outside. Kayla Ranek will continue to build on last season where as a sophomore she had 203 digs. Ranek’s hard work and positive attitude should allow her to solidify the back row for the Lancers.

The sophomore class is led by Megan Phillips who is coming off of a great freshman season. Last season Phillips had 219 kills and 38 blocks on varsity as a true freshman. She will be part of the one-two punch in the middle along with Hohn. Carlie Lambert, Dana Riter and Amber Smith are all coming off great junior varsity seasons and saw some action on varsity last fall. Kristin Grassa and Andrea Hansen were part of the solid back row on the junior varsity and will continue to work hard within the program. Jen Jerdee is a sophomore transfer who brings both athleticism and depth both at the setter and defensive specialist position.

The freshman class is filled with a talented group of volleyball playersm including: Kate Lingscheit a 6’0 middle from Miller, S.D.; Christina Rowbotham a 5’5 setter from Brookings, S.D; Amanda Dirksen a 5’10 outside hitter from Kingsley, Iowa; Vanessa Laible a 5’11 outside hitter from Howard, S.D.; Brianna Wuestewald a 5’8 middle hitter from Tea, S.D.; and Sarah Bruce a 5’7 outside hitter from Pierce, NE. These freshmen have had great high school careers and are expected to easily make the transition to college volleyball.