The Rocket

Issue date: 8/31/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Archive Photo Andrea Campbell, one of only two seniors, will be looked upon to lead a young Rock sqaud, which lost four of it's top five defenders. [Click to enlarge]

Young talent can beat skilled experience. At least that's what the SRU Women's Volleyball team is hoping for this season from a squad that includes ten freshmen.

Coming off a 31-9 campaign last year, the most wins by an SRU team since 1993, head coach Laurie Lokash starts her 23rd season with a team that returns only two seniors, Andrea Campbell (RS) and Co-captain Louise Schultz.

"We lost five seniors from last year, basically the back row and our entire right side," Lokash said.

One thing the team shouldn't lack is offense as four of the top five scorers from last season are back. Juniors Anastasia Urbanik (513 kills, 32 service aces) and Co-captain Jen Blasko (479 kills, 61 service aces) will look to lead The Rock attack again this year, while Schultz (386 kills, 69 service aces) and Campbell (234 kills, 17 assists) figure to follow closely behind.

Lokash said that freshmen Anna Bixler and Jenny Shaffer are battling it out for the setter position vacated by Sara Kirsch (1649 assists, 81 service aces).

"We have some good hitters in Blasko, Urbanik, Schultz, and Campbell," Lokash said. "We just need to get our freshmen setters some consistency with the hitters."

It is on the defensive side of things that this team will look to its young freshmen to step up, as only one of the top five defenders are back. Blasko (493 digs) and Campbell (123 digs) will cover the outside while Urbanik (118 total blocks) and Schultz (85 total blocks) will take up space in the middle.

Sophomore Stacey Domer and junior Courtney Fajerski bring experience to the defense, while junior (RS) Jenn Scott is a good blocker, according to Lokash. Freshman Brittany Spangler has been strong on defense and looks to be ready to take the libero position, Lokash said.

The Rock faced its first test on Aug. 24-25 at the Ram Rumble in Shepherdstown, WV going 2-2 over the weekend. The Rock defeated Shepherd and Elizabeth City State, but fell to 20th ranked Wayne State and St. Edwards.

Continued...

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