2011 Volleyball Preview

Depth is the word for the 2011 SUNY Geneseo women's volleyball team as the Blue Knights return 11 players from the 2010 version that posted a 15-22 record. Head coach Jen Salmon (Ithaca '02) begins her fourth season on the bench for the Knights and is optimistic about using her array of veterans with a trio of talented newcomers.

Geneseo graduated SUNYAC West Player of the Year Krista Frieling, but the Blue Knights boast the past two SUNYAC West Rookie of the Year award winners in junior libero Laura Galvin (Baldwinsville/Baker) and sophomore setter Noelle Morrison (Stony Brook/Ward Melville). Galvin earned second team All-SUNYAC in 2010 after compiling the second best Geneseo single season mark with 634 digs, while Morrison combined 1,052 assists with 266 digs and 30 service aces on her way to second team All-SUNYAC recognition.

Geneseo returns two other starters to the court in senior middle Kat Strickland (Bemus Point/Maple Grove) and sophomore outside hitter Alex Wende (Williamsville/Clarence). Strickland had 220 kills and a team-high 74 blocks in 2010, while Wende added 139 kills and moves into an expanded role with the departure of Frieling.

Salmon expects her newcomer trio of first years Sarah Dewey (Cooperstown) and Jessica Prater (East Amherst/Sacred Heart) and sophomore Erie Community College transfer Julia Gangloff (Lancaster) to contribute immediately. Dewey, the Section III Class C Player of the Year, moves into the vacated right side hitter role, Prater starts in the middle as Geneseo's tallest player (6-1) and Gangloff pushes Morrison for playing time at the setter spot.

Senior Jackie Inserillo (Stanfordville/Stissing Mt.) and sophomore Ronnie Guszcza (Walworth/Gananda) are poised to split time at the other outside hitter position and sophomore Courtney Long (Rochester/Irondequoit) looks to see time at right side. Inserillo had 137 kills, 237 digs and 27 aces last season, while Guszcza totalled 154 kills and a team-best 33 service aces.

Junior Megan Reed (Horseheads), who posted 131 kills and 67 blocks last season, and senior Sarah Kuperus (Newark) provide adequate depth in the middle for Geneseo, while senior Alex Hughes (Skaneateles) and first year Carissa Gagliardi (Wantagh) give the Blue Knights a pair of capable defensive specialists.    

The Geneseo roster includes sophomore Alysia Negron (Buffalo/City Honors) and junior Laura Raheb (East Northport/Northport).

Geneseo begins their season at the New York University tournament, with the home opener coming on Wednesday, September 14 at 7 p.m. versus Rochester.