Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Coach of the Year Mark Jones led the Manhattan College volleyball team to its most successful campaign in almost a decade in 2010. The Jaspers won 20 matches for the first time since 2003 and, after being picked ninth in the preseason, Manhattan ended up tied for third place with a school-record 11 conference wins.
With eight letterwinners and five starters returning this season, a repeat of such success wouldn't be unexpected. In addition, Jones has brought in a talented group of newcomers who are capable of leading the Jaspers to even greater heights in 2011.
Outside Hitter
On paper, the biggest obstacle the 2011 Jaspers will have to overcome is the loss of starting outside hitters Diane Strutner and Jaci Rahey to graduation. The duo accounted for 50 percent of Manhattan's offense last season, combining for 797 kills.
Looking to fill that void is junior Alexa Lampasona, one of four Jaspers to play in all 130 sets last season. Lampasona moved to the right side in 2010 and thrived in her first year as a starter. She slammed 263 kills and finishing second on the team with 76 blocks. The most experienced hitter on the roster, Lampasona will be a key member of Manhattan's attack from the outside.
Jones has also brought in a pair of talented freshman hitters who will challenge for starting spots immediately. Sarah Haselhorst comes to Manhattan from Naperville North High School in Chicago. Haselhorst played her club volleyball for one of the top teams in the nation, Sports Performance 18 Blue, which won the 2009 JVCA club championship. Fellow newcomer Malia McGuinness was a second team all-conference selection last season at The Maryknoll School in Honolulu. She led the Jammers Volleyball Club to a bronze medal in the national division at the 2010 USA Volleyball Girls' Junior National Championships.
Also expected to make an immediate impact is sophomore Mariana Furquim. A native of Curitiba, Brazil, Furquim transferred to Manhattan this season after playing for UNLV in 2010. In 2008, she helped Brazil's Colegio Positivo win city and state titles. The other international player on the roster, Canadian Brittany DeGagne is capable of playing both outside hitter and middle blocker. DeGagne saw limited action in 2010, but contributed when called upon, finishing the season with 28 blocks.
"As a whole, this is one of the best groups of outside hitters we've had in a while," Jones said. "They're all solid skill-wise, and they're all capable of playing all six rotations, which is certainly an asset. The more they play, the better they'll get."
Middle Blocker
Senior LaKell Havens jumped right into a starting role last season, her first in Riverdale, and immediately proved to be a force in the middle. Despite missing some time with an injury, Havens led the Jaspers with 91 blocks and 35 service aces in 2010. She also hit a team-best .269 and contributed more kills (266) last season than any other returning player. The captain of this year's squad, Havens will also be relied upon to provide veteran leadership.
The other starter last season was junior Maddie Heck. Heck battled through injuries for much of the season, but was a difference-maker when in the lineup. Despite playing in just 73 sets in 2010, Heck still finished third on the team in total blocks (50) and second in blocks per set (0.68). Expect that production to increase if she stays healthy in 2011.
"It's definitely a strength that both starting middles are returning," Jones said. "But they'll both get pushed everyday. This is the strongest group (of middle blockers) we've had since I've been here."
One player expected to make a push for a starting spot is junior Kelsey Huntoon. Huntoon, who did an excellent job filling in as the starter last season, is also one of the best servers on the team. She recorded 19 aces in 2010, including one on match point in the fifth set that capped a comeback victory over Iona on Oct. 17. In addition, she placed fifth on the team with 159 digs last season.
Rounding out Manhattan's corps of middle blockers is freshman Deandra Anderson. A native of Durham, N.C., Anderson was an honorable mention all-conference selection in 2010, as Riverside High School won the conference championship. DeGagne and McGuinness are both capable of shifting into the middle, as well.
Setter
The incumbent starter at setter is junior Jamie Collareta. Collareta, who moved into the starting lineup towards the end of her freshman year, played in all 130 sets last season and distributed 9.53 assists per set. She also ranked third on the squad in digs, notching 2.12 per set in 2010. With two years of running the offense already under her belt, Collareta also provides valuable experience.
However, freshman Hollegn Henderson is expected to immediately challenge for the starting job. A native of Long Beach, Calif., Henderson was a first team all-league selection at Wilson Classical High School last season. She helped Wilson win back-to-back conference championships in 2008-09 and crack the CIF Top 10 in 2009. Henderson also played in two Junior Olympics with the Southern California Volleyball Club.
"We definitely have two setters who can fight it out (for the starting spot)," Jones said. "It'll really come down to who can run the system best and do it consistently."
Libero
Anchoring the Manhattan defense is junior libero Julie Bies. Bies recorded 583 digs in 2010, one shy of the single-season school record, and she enters the season just 17 away from 1,000 career digs. A starter from day one, Bies has never missed a set during her Manhattan career.
"Libero has been our most stable position, with Julie having played regularly since her freshman year," Jones said. "This season I expect her to continue playing consistently good defense while also providing veteran leadership."
After serving as the Jaspers' backup setter last season, senior Jackie Aldrich makes the move to defensive specialist in 2011. Always solid defensively, Aldrich provides valuable depth along the back line. She may also do some setting in certain situations.
Schedule
Manhattan begins the season by playing in Hofstra's Asics Invitational on Aug. 27. The Jaspers will also take part in preseason tournaments at Bucknell (Sept. 2-3) and Washington State (Sept. 9-10) and visit Lafayette before opening their home schedule against MAAC rival Saint Peter's on Sept. 17.
That contest opens a season-long five-match homestand during which Manhattan will also host Providence (Sept. 21), Loyola (Sept. 24), Rider (Sept. 25) and Fairleigh Dickinson (Sept. 28). After playing six of their next eight on the road, the Jaspers return to Draddy Gymnasium for a non-conference matchup with Army on Oct. 26. Manhattan hosts Canisius and Niagara on Oct. 29-30 before wrapping up its home slate against Fairfield and Iona the following weekend.
"This schedule allows us to be competitive, as well as giving us the opportunity to have some success," Jones said. "We'll be challenged at Washington State, but it's nice to have a lot of home matches in a row right after that. After playing such a tough non-conference slate, we'll definitely be ready for MAAC play."
The top four teams in the MAAC following the 18-match conference season will advance to the MAAC Tournament, which will be held in Jersey City, N.J., on Nov. 18-19. The winner of the MAAC Tournament will receive the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Manhattan was picked to finish fourth in the MAAC Preseason Poll.
