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Edinboro University head coach Missy Soboleski
can attest to the value of seniors. In her first season as the
head coach of the Fighting Scots, the former Gannon and Mercyhurst
mentor found herself staring at a 7-12 record as the final days of
September arrived. They were facing the possibility of a second
straight losing season, something which hadn’t happened since
1985 and ‘86.
“Our seniors had the faith,”
recalled Soboleski. “The captains bought into it. Early on,
the players were doing what we wanted, but didn’t get the
success. The seniors never quit. Our goal was to feel good about
ourselves, not necessarily to win. It finally kicked in.”
When it “kicked in”, so did the
winning. Soboleski’s squad ran off eight straight wins, and
finished with 17 wins in their final 19 regular season matches to
earn a spot in the PSAC Tournament. That led to a berth in the
NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional, where it lost to Lees-McRae in
the semifinals.
After finishing with a 26-16 ledger in her
first season, Soboleski hopes the winning continues in 2006. For
it to occur, she feels leadership will once again be a key factor.
“The biggest thing we’ll
have to overcome will be leadership,” assessed Soboleski,
noting that the team lost three key seniors. “We lost key
leaders from last year but I’m sure that Ashley Cottengim and
Amelia Robinson will compensate for that.”
Robinson, the likely starter at libero, and
Cottengim are the lone seniors on the 2006 roster. For the second
year in a row, Cottengim took over as the starting setter after
the season began. Both are known as extremely hard workers who
lead by example.
“I think we have a good
recruiting class coming in,” commented Soboleski. “But
the main issue will be replacing the three seniors. They were such
a positive influence. losing our two best passers -- Tiffany
(Trgovac) and Michelle (Bator) -- will be tough.”
That being said, Soboleski likes what she sees
in her Fighting Scots. With four freshmen and two sophomores, it
will be a youthful team. But Soboleski infused the team with more
athleticism, an attribute which can many times overcome
inexperience. In all, the Fighting Scots return seven
letterwinners.
“I think we have more firepower
than last year,” added Soboleski. “The major concern
will be ball control. we have very good athletes. we have four
solid middle hitters, although three are freshmen. They’re
young, but very athletic. “
After coaching for ten years in the Great Lakes
Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, Soboleski admits her first
season at the helm was a learning experience for everyone.
“I learned a ton this last year,”
she pointed out. “We want kids who want to play volleyball,
want to compete, and want to be coached.”
Edinboro opens its second season under
Soboleski on August 25 when the Fighting Scots participate in the
UWF Confort Inn-vitational. With contests againt Southern Indiana
and Lewis, Soboleski likes the early-season challenge.
“Going to Florida and playing in
the West Florida tournament will be tough,” she admitted. “We
play two tough GLVC teams, a conference known for its volleyball.
We’re trying to play quality schools to prepare us for the
PSAC.” The host Aeronauts went 24-7 a year ago, and Edinboro
will also face West Georgia. All four opponents finished with
winning records.
Setters
Call Ashley Cottengim a survivor. Two years ago she was
asked to replace all-time assist leader Renee Kam when Kam went
down midway through the season with an injury. It was an up and
down experience for Cottengim, who previously had been a reserve
outside hitter.
A year ago the 5’8” Cottengim took
over as the starting setter early in the season, only this time
with much more positive results.
Cottengim enters the 2006 campaign as one of
two seniors on the team, as a captain, and as the incumbent
starter at setter.
“From last spring to now, Ashley
has improved a great deal,” commented Soboleski. “We
look for her to be more aggressive setting. She’s a very good
defensive player. There’s nothing she won’t do.”
Most notable are her leadership skills. “Between
Ashley and Amelia (Robinson), I don’t know who works harder,”
added Soboleski. “She leads by example, and is very vocal.”
A year ago Cottengim led the Fighting Scots
with 1,290 assists, tied for the sixth-highest total in school
history. She also ranked fourth on the team in digs with 54, and
was third in service aces (49). With 1,867 career assists, she
ranks fifth all-time.
Alyssa Chutz figures to serves as the
backup to Cottengim. A 5’8” sophomore, she saw limited
action a year ago, playing in just four games. However, the former
honorable mention PIAA all-state performer took advantage of the
offseason to show the coaching staff what she could do.
“Alyssa has improved a lot,”
Soboleski pointed out. “She’s a hard worker who needs to
be more confident in her ability. She has improved tremendously on
defense.”
Outside Hitters
The Fighting Scots must replace Tiffany Trgovac, now an assistant
coach, at outside hitter, but three key performers from a year ago
return, along with a talented freshman.
Breanna Smith, a 6’0” junior,
has the ability to be the number one outside hitter. A year ago
she ranked fourth on the team with 230 kills with a .202 hitting
percentage.
“We look for Breanna to be our
number one outside hitter,” Soboleski stated. “She has
improved tremendously with her ball control and is a big hitter.
She made huge strides in the spring.”
Jenna Benkelman, a 5’9”
junior, appeared in 86 games a year ago, finishing with 60 kills
and 97 digs. She is another player who displayed marked
improvement in the offseason, and her ball control skills give her
a strong chance for extended playing time.
“Jenna really came along,”
noted Soboleski. “She hit the weights, and it shows in her
hitting. She possesses good ball control and is our number one or
two passer. Jenna will be on the court somewhere due to her ball
control. She had a great spring and will look to push for a
starting role.”
Senior Amelia Robinson and freshman
Samantha Kuehner will battle for playing time both at
outside hitter and libero. Robinson, a 5’6” senior,
served as the team’s libero in the spring and played well.
She will join Cottengim as a captain, and is sure to see plenty of
time.
“Amelia is a leader on the court
by example,” emphasized Soboleski. Her ball control has
improved so much. She played libero in the spring, but she plays
left back so well, we hate to take her out of it. Amelia also has
power.”
A year ago Robinson set a school record with 93
service aces. She also ranks seventh in career service aces with
117. She was third on the team in digs (366).
Kuehner is a highly-regarded 5’9”
freshman known for her ball control.
“Samantha will probably push for
the starting libero position,” admitted Soboleski. “Her
ball control is fabulous. She’s a real intense player who
loves the game. In addition, she hits with a lot of power.”
With two years of experience, Kristen
Perkins is the likely starter on the right side, although
freshmen Brittany Slauterbeck, Chrissy Steger and
Olivia Williams will push her. The first-year trio will
push for playing time in the middle, as well.
Perkins, a 5’11” junior, finished
with 159 kills and 37 total blocks while playing in 108 games.
“Kristen picked it up at the end
of the year,” stressed Soboleski. “We’re looking
for her to be more consistent. Last year she was streaky. She’s
a good hitter, is a good blocker, and has solid ball control.
Kristen is the perfect utility player, and can play anywhere.
Middle Hitters
The combination of Alicia Knouff and Jenna Newman gave
Edinboro a strong one-two punch at middle hitter. With Knouff, a
first team All-PSAC West selection a year ago, gone, even more
emphasis will be placed on the skills of Newman. The Las Vegas, NV
native has the ability to be one of the top middle hitters in the
PSAC. A year ago the 5’10” junior finished second on the
team in kills with 481, a figure that ranks fourth in the season
records. She led the Fighting Scots in hitting percentage (.324) ,
while ranking eighth in the PSAC in hitting percentage and ninth
in kills per game. In addition, she stood second on the team with
107 total blocks. While playing just two seasons, Newman already
ranks seventh in career blocks with 248.
“Jenna is such a versatile
athlete,’ Soboleski pointed out. “She’s deadly off
one foot now. Her blocking has improved. She has the lead at being
the M1, which focuses more on offense. She obviously will be one
of our ‘go-to’ hitters.”
Freshmen Brittany Slautterbeck, Chrissy
Steger and Olivia Williams look to replace Knouff.
Soboleski sees bright futures for all three, and notes they could
also see time on the right side.
As a senior at Oak Harbor(OH) High School, the
5’10” Slautterbeck set school records for both kills
(311) and blocks (242) in a season. She also has extensive club
experience with the Premier Club Team out of Maumee, Ohio.
“I think Brittany will come in
and immediately compete for a starting spot,” commented
Soboleski. She’s an exceptional athlete and is a very good
blocker. She’s very agile and has quick feet. Blocking will
get her in.”
Like Slautterbeck, Steger has extensive club
experience while playing for the Pittsburgh Elite. She is 5’9”
and helped lead Pine-Richland High School to the 2006 PIAA State
Championship.
“Chrissy is a good blocker who
runs the net well,” Soboleski surmised. “She’s not
as explosive, and we will work on her offense.”
At this time, Williams is probably the least
developed of the trio, but the 5’8” freshman has a
tremendous upside. She played at Barberton(OH) High School.
“Olivia is a little raw, but she
is a phenomenal athlete,” gushed Soboleski. “She will
have the most growth early on. She’s very explosive and can
really hit it. She’s also a great jumper. She will compete to
play immediately, but she is raw. She has a very high ceiling.”
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