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MWC Volleyball Fall 2001TAKE SOME TIME TO LOAD DUE TO VIDEO CLIP! Check out the clip and some great action photos from last season's last home game vs. Catholic Univ. Although we didn't win this game, we sure did give a valiant effort (a 5 game match). Pictures and video provided by Pastor B! 16 (me) serving for the Eagles! Left Side attack.      MWC Volleyball 2001 in Review Since the mid-1970's, the Mary Washington College volleyball program has prospered through a combination of strong coaching, talented, hungry players, and the full backing of the campus community and administration. Over the past 25 years, MWC has had nineteen winning seasons, including NCAA Tournament appearances in 1990 and 1991. Head coach Dee Conway has continued and strengthened the tradition. The Eagles are annually among the top teams in the ultra-competitive Capital Athletic Conference, including a trip to the conference championship final in 2001. The 2001 season saw a veteran Eagle team that lost two players to graduation start strong and finish strong. MWC opened the season with victories over Villa Julie College and Lynchburg College, before splitting four matches at the always-tough Gettysburg College Tournament. After over two weeks of inactivity following the tragic events of September 11, the Eagles returned to win three of four home matches, including CAC wins over St. Mary's College and York College of PA. After tough conference losses at Gallaudet and Goucher, the Eagles rewarded Coach Conway with her 300th career victory in a 3-1 win over Marymount University in a league contest. After splitting the final four regular season games, the Eagles entered the Capital Athletic Conference Tournament as the fifth seed. In the opening round, the Eagles visited fourth-seeded St. Mary's College, and defeated the Seahawks on the road in a classic five game battle. Two nights later, the Eagles faced top-seed Gallaudet University, and won another five game match to advance to the conference championship. Just one victory from the NCAA Tournament, the Eagles fell at nationally-ranked Catholic in the league title match. If the 2002 edition of the MWC volleyball team is to equal the success of its predecessor, several newcomers will be needed to replace three quality graduating seniors. All-conference hitter Monica Bintz finished her career in 2001 as one of the top players in school history, ranking among the conference leaders in hitting, kills, blocks, and service aces. She also enjoyed recognition for her academics, being named to the Verizon Academic All-America team after posting all-region honors for the third straight year. Also gone are hitters Kathy Gochenour and Kristin Schaible. Gochenour had an outstanding senior season, with 141 kills, 145 digs, and 32 blocks. Her hitting down the stretch certainly contributed to MWC's run to the conference championship match. Schaible had two excellent seasons for the Eagles after transferring from Clemson, as she had 113 kills and a team-high 61 blocks in 2001. Among the returnees who will look to fill the void are Sarah Libby, Lauren Eigel, Beth Harker, and Melissa Cortina. Libby again ranked among the CAC leaders in digs (3.59/game), kills (2.55/game), and service aces (team-high 43). Eigel scored 10.26 assists per game after moving to setter after her freshman season. Her versatility allows her to play mutliple positions in the Eagle attack. Harker emerged as a multi-talented player in 2001, with 39 kills, 25 aces, and 73 digs on the season. Cortina showed flashes of brilliance as a freshman in 2001, with 94 kills. Other potential returnees include Nichole Bulls, Jackie Durr, Lindsey Christie, Stacey Standish, Lindsay Ollice, and Rachel Willemin. As always, newcomers (both freshman and transfers) will play vital roles in the MWC program. Coach Conway will continue to play the best players, regardless of class or experience. This opportunity gives newcomers the chance to contribute immediately, and push the returners to raise their level of play, which lifts the entire team's work ethic and skill level. The TEAM concept is very evident at Mary Washington, as evidenced by eleven of the team's 13 players competing in at least half of the team’s 74 games this season. The 2002 season will be an exciting one for the Eagles, with a challenging schedule that includes the always-tough Capital Athletic Conference opponents as well as several top in-season tournaments at Gettysburg College, Richard Stockton College, and Catholic University. A strong returning nucleus and a talented recruiting class will need to gel quickly, but if they can, the 2002 season could be very successful for the MWC volleyball program. Go to the top Go back to previous Volleyball page HOME
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