Volleyball 8/31/2010 8:05:40 PM

Volleyball Team Will Open Season on Wednesday at Bethel

The Falcon volleyball team will open its 2010 season on Wednesday with a match at Bethel University in St. Paul, Minn. Action starts at 7 p.m.

The Falcons are coming off a 20-15 season in 2009. They were 5-3 in WIAC play and finished in a tie for third place in the final league standings.

Falcon Coach Patti Ford has five returning starters (including the libero) and 10 returning letter winners to build the 2010 Falcons. Ford, in her 19^th season with the Falcons, has a 437-234 career record at UWRF. She is 85-59 in WIAC matches. Ford is second among active WIAC coaches in career wins.

“We have a great team returning – a youthful team,” said Ford. “The players back had significant playing time last year and that will help guide them during the year.”

Setters Mackenzie Suda (Ham Lake, MN, Blaine) and Hayley Buchanan (Eden Prairie, MN, Eden Prairie) are both back for the 2010 season. Suda led the Falcons with 805 assists and Buchanan, who is also a member of the Falcon softball team, had 455. Suda led the Falcons last year with 67 aces and Buchanan finished with 32.

Outside hitter Danielle Gibbemeyer (St. Paul, MN, Cretin-Derham Hall) returns after finishing the 2009 season with 181 kills. She also had 31 total blocks. Outside hitter Sami Kaminski (Weyerhaeuser, WI, Weyerhaeuser) had 124 blocks and 235 digs. Her dig total is the second best of returning players. She also finished with 27 total blocks and had 28 aces.

Libero Courtney Preiner (Oakdale, MN, Hill-Murray) returns for her second season after finishing second in digs with 350. Her 3.76 digs per game averages was tops on the team.

“We are looking to find the right personal and skill development so we can get the right players in the right spots to be successful,” said Ford. “We have a great group of student-athletes in the gym. We have a good talent level and quality players. Last year we had five freshmen who played a lot and we're excited about their progress.”

The Falcons lost three talented players to graduation – outside hitters Kelsey Scheele and Andria Vetsch and middle hitter Gina DeRosa.

“Our schedule gives us the types of teams that will help us prepare for the WIAC season,” said Ford. “Div. III ball in the Midwest is very strong and every time we go out we want to play at the highest level. Our schedule will give us that opportunity.

“Again this year the WIAC is a strong league. Oshkosh returns good core that did well last year. Whitewater is strong while both Eau Clair and Platteville have veteran teams. The WIAC race will be as good a race as there ever has been. We will have to take care of the little things to be successful.”

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