The 2008 Saint Peter's College Volleyball Team will have an interesting chemistry this season. The Peahens return 11 players from last year's squad and one assistant coach, at the helm will be a new head coach and a new assistant coach.
Joseph Agrest took over the volleyball program in July and brings more than 30 years of coaching and playing experience to a veteran team. He comes to a program that has three senior leaders, two experienced juniors and six sophomores who now have a year of college experience on their resumes.
Agrest will bring a different style to the Peahens that he and his team hopes will be successful in a deep MAAC field. Saint Peter's is looking to make their first appearance in the MAAC Tournament since 2006, and their first four-team tournament appearance since 2001.
Leading the way on and off the court will be the senior leaders. Kelly Blanchfield (Lodi, NJ), Caroline Garvey (Tarpon Springs, FL) and Katherine Sura (Bogota, NJ) are entering their fourth and final season as Peahens and are looking to make it a memorable one.
Blanchfield has evolved into a force in the middle. Her height and power have made her a key offensive threat for the Peahens. Garvey is one of the greatest setters in Saint Peter's history, ranking in the top-five in both assist categories at Saint Peter's. She is a team leader on and off the court and has been named a captain. Sura has averaged over 200 digs a year and also be a captain.
The two juniors on the squad are Yomi Angulo (Dover, NJ) and Renata Bauer (Fairview, NJ). Angulo started her career as an outside hitter, but made the successful transition to the libero position. She led the Peahens in digs last season and also had 26 service aces. Bauer is one of the tallest players on the team and has played the middle hitter position for the past two seasons. She is one of the major contributors to the Peahens blocking.
All six sophomores made key contributions as freshmen and all now have experience in the college game. The sophomore class is led by Kim Mendoza (Anaheim, CA) and Kate McFadden (Orefield, PA) who both exploded onto the scene last season. Mendoza was a two-time MAAC Rookie of the Week and was a nominee for MAAC Rookie of the Year. She was a force on the outside for the Peahens last season and played in every game of every match as a freshman. McFadden played in all but one match as a freshman, and established herself as a key to the offense and defense for Saint Peter's. She has proven herself on the outside.
Shannon Doheny (Chicago, IL) and Stephanie Phillips (Escondido, CA) had solid freshman seasons. As a setter, Doheny totalled 214 assists, including twelve double-digit games. She also accumulated 122 digs, and 40 aces. Phillips became a defensive wall with 10 blocks, and also recorded double-digit kills in 13 games. Both of them are expected to make an immediate impact this season. Monique Flores (El Paso, TX) and Maria Sterling (Mt. Kisco, NY) also played key roles for the Peahens last season. Each has improved in the off-season and will be looked upon to provide depth to the squad.
The Peahens will begin the 2008 season on Tuesday, September 2nd as they host a tri-match with St. Francis (NY) and Lehigh beginning at 3:00 PM. Their non-conference schedule also features a tournament at Lafayette, a home tri-match with LIU and La Salle and a tournament at Robert Morris. The Peahens will begin MAAC play on September 20th as they host Rider. The season will culminate with the MAAC Championships, held on November 23rd and 24th at Siena College.
