WEST CHESTER, Pa. – West Chester University’s women’s volleyball squad has reached the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) quarterfinals each of the last four years. This fall, fifth-year head coach Kassie Bellaver will not be satisfied with just a trip to the playoffs. She wants her charges to venture deeper into the postseason and possibly reach the semifinals or conference championship game.
The Golden Rams’ veteran squad comes into the season with that goal on their mind. Bellaver has been pleased with the team’s performances since being hired in 2006, but wants to see them take that next step.
“My goal for this year is to not only make it, but get past the first round,” Bellaver stated. “It’s definitely been our hurdle that we can’t get over. Another goal we have is to be regionally ranked. In the past we’ve been ranked in the NCAA Atlantic Region, so that’s another team goal.”
Last year, the Golden Rams finished 23-15 overall, which was their third straight season with more than 20 wins. This year, they return all but one senior off of last year’s squad.
“I have a lot more confidence going into this year because we do have four seniors who know what it feels like to lose in the first round each of the last three years,” Bellaver said. “They have had the experience, and it would be a great achievement for them to take the next step.”
Last year, the Golden Rams took powerhouse Lock Haven to five sets, before bowing out in the quarterfinal round.
“You certainly give them the utmost respect,” Bellaver lauded. “Taking them to five sets, granted that’s not a win. But, it gives the players a boost to know we are right there with them.”
Since most of the players are returning, and there is a good freshman class coming in, the team will have plenty of depth at every position.
“This is a great position we are in,” Bellaver stated. “It will be a competition throughout the preseason to see who receives those six starting roles. But, once those starters are named, there will still be plenty of competition to keep those starting roles. I can confidently say that we will have the depth that we never had before.”
The middle hitters on the team include senior co-captain Michelle Powers and Kelly Martin. Powers is a former rookie of the year in the PSAC East and a three-time, first team all-league selection. Last season, Powers led the Golden Rams in kills as well as hitting percentage while Martin finished third on the team in kills and hitting percentage.
On the outside, the Rams have Ashley Focht, Lexi Kegerise and Julie Boblits. Last year, Focht finished the season with 116 kills and a hitting percentage of .259 in only 66 sets.
“Focht has come off the bench throughout her sophomore and junior years,” Bellaver explained. “She gives our team a different look with her left-handed attack, which gives her that edge.”
Kegerise was a second team All-PSAC East selection last season. She was one of the more dominant freshmen in the league. Kegerise finished second on the team in kills with 294.
“I expect a lot from Lexi,” Bellaver beamed. “She played really well last year as a freshman. She was a starter throughout the season and that experience should carry over into this season.”
Boblits is a highly touted transfer from York College. A high school all-area talent, Boblits returns to the game after a two-year hiatus. She did not play volleyball while attending York College. Bellaver knows the talent is still there. It may take awhile for Boblits to get her timing back and really get her legs under her again. However, the potential for Boblits to have an outstanding campaign is definitely there. Bellaver can see it in the preseason workouts.
Freshman Jamie Hughes is a local product, who will play either on the outside or in the middle on the front row. She brings a lot of height and athleticism with her to the college level.
Right-side hitter, Alyssa Brown has grown tremendously as a player and has become very explosive on the right side. She is joined by freshman Allison Grammer on the right side.
Last year, Helen Fitzpatrick was the team’s main setter in 2009. She recorded 1,039 sets last season as a sophomore and carries plenty of experience and talent into the new year. She was named a first team All-PSAC selection last year.
“We have an incoming freshman (Hannah Sweitzer) that will be able to give Fitzpatrick a breather or change of responsibility, if needed,” Bellaver revealed. “The benefit of having Helen in there is that we can run a 5-1 system because of her height. If we put (Sweitzer) in there, then we would need to run a 6-2, since she is a little shorter.”
Defensive specialists returning to the team include: Kyra Yost, Nora Jingeleski and Morgan Litak. Yost finished the season third on the team in digs. Jingeleski is a senior with a plethora of playing time on her resume while Litak saw a lot of playing time last year as a freshman. Hopefully, that experience helped improve her game.
“Defensively, we are deep for sure,” Bellaver stated.
West Chester also has a pair of incoming freshmen, who will compete for playing time as defensive specialists: Dana Markol and Tyler Sheafer.
Second team All-PSAC selection Lisa Campbell returns as one of the conference’s top liberos. She led the Golden Rams in digs last season with 567. Campbell is the defensive leader on the court and somebody the team can rally around. Her serve receive is one of the best in the PSAC, which makes her very valuable on defense.
“The incoming freshman class looks very promising,” Bellaver announced. “We have Chelsea Clemens, who passed on a couple of excellent volleyball programs, to enroll at West Chester.”
Clemens is a versatile player who can play either middle or outside hitter. Dylan Keil is another aggressively recruited athlete to come to West Chester. Clemens and Keil each bolster the Golden Rams arsenal and will push all of the returning players up front for playing time. Creating that competitive atmosphere in practice is what Bellaver has been missing her first four years. Now, West Chester possesses the depth to make every day a battle for playing time.
Bellaver’s first recruiting class at West Chester is now her senior class. Yost, Jingelski, Focht and Powers have stuck with Bellaver and her system for four years. Now, the veteran coach would like to see that loyalty and commitment pay off with a deep run in the playoffs. This senior class has delivered Bellaver 93 career wins as the fifth-year mentor sits just seven victories shy of becoming the all-time winningest volleyball coach in West Chester University history.
West Chester lifts the lid on its 2010 slate Friday against C.W. Post at the Kutztown University Tournament. Saturday, the Golden Rams tangle with St. Rose and LeMoyne.
