Internet Home of Alderson-Broaddus Athletics

(PRINCETON, W.Va.)---2008 tournament champion Wheeling Jesuit and defending regular season title holder West Virginia State are the picks to remain ahead of the field in the 2009 WVIAC volleyball race. Wheeling Jesuit, which reached the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region finals last season, earned 11 of the 13 first place votes to sit atop the league's pre-season coaches' poll. West Virginia State grabbed the other two first place nods to finish second in the voting.
Charleston, Alderson-Broaddus, and Seton Hill round out the top five. West Virginia Wesleyan, Pitt Johnstown, Glenville State, Davis & Elkins, and Fairmont State occupy the sixth through tenth positions. Shepherd, West Liberty, Ohio Valley, Concord, and Bluefield State make up the eleventh through fifteenth slots.
Wheeling Jesuit (30-10, 14-1) is led by senior outside hitter Catie Halberstadt, the 2008 WVIAC Player of the Year and WVIAC Tournament Most Valuable Player. The Cardinals own a 153-7 mark in regular season play since the start of the 1999 campaign and look to add more wins to that impressive total. S/RS Keysha Allison (Jr.), MB Emily Borchers (Sr.), DS Laura O'Reilly (Jr.), and MB Missy Gossett (Sr.) are among the other key returnees for head coach Christy Benner.
West Virginia State (25-5, 15-0) ran the table during the WVIAC regular season in 2008, but the Jackets must replace three starters from an NCAA Tournament squad. However, Shanon Gerencir's team welcomes back three 2008 All-WVIAC first team selections in seniors MH Amanda Luedtke, S Jennifer Paswaters, and OH Christina Wichrowski.
Charleston (16-18, 7-8) suffered through a rare losing season in 2008 for veteran head coach Bren Stevens, but league coaches forecast this group of Golden Eagles to fly back into league contention. MH Laura Buckalew (Sr.) and S/DS Katie Williams, the 2008 WVIAC Freshman of the Year, hope to pair with eight talented newcomers to boost UC back into regional contention.
Alderson-Broaddus (25-13, 13-2) stayed in the hunt for an NCAA Tournament spot much of the season for 2008 WVIAC Coach of the Year Carrie Bodkins. First team All-WVIAC outside hitter Amanda Check (Jr.) will try to lead the Battlers into the regionals. A-B must replace a pair of starters, but returns 2008 WVIAC All-Freshman pick Lindsay Hadley (OH).
Seton Hill (14-13, 10-5) has five returning starters from a squad that finished fifth in the WVIAC standings during their first year of championship eligibility. MH Lindsey Skorupan (Sr.), OH Megan Kehlert (Jr.), and MH Rebecca Robinson (Soph.) help provide Rick Hall's Griffins with a potent attack.
West Virginia Wesleyan (13-15, 11-4) is one of two WVIAC squads to feature a new head coach as former Bobcat star Jackie Murphy takes over in Buckhannon. OH Blake Saumell (Sr.), S Hayley Barhorst (Jr.), and OH Jessica Pattyn (Soph.) are the top holdovers for a WVWC program that usually ranks among the league's elite.
Pitt Johnstown (21-13, 9-6) hopes to reach the 20-win mark again with four starters back from a club that tied for sixth in the WVIAC standings. Seniors Kristin Irwin (MH), Nicole Hauser (OH), and Abby Gearhart (OH) provide experience for head coach Linda Renzi's Lady Cats. OH Taylor Hrescak (Jr.) is another key player for UPJ.
Glenville State (14-16, 9-6) has high hopes in 2009 during head coach Patrick Maiden's second season at GSC. The Pioneers welcome back S Erica Hale (Jr.) and OH Lauren Saelens (Sr.) to go with a talented crop of junior college transfers and incoming freshmen.
Davis & Elkins (20-18, 9-6) must only replace one starter from a 20-win squad in 2008. L Jess Raffa (Jr.) and S Bre Tognoli (Soph.) are among the top returnees for head coach Latonia Allen's Senators.
Fairmont State (13-23, 6-9) looks to climb back over the .500 mark behind two-time All-WVIAC second team selection Micah Bell (Sr., OH).
Shepherd (11-22, 7-8) head coach Sarah Smith returns the entire roster from a young 2008 squad. Junior outside hitter Julie Robertson was an All-WVIAC honorable mention pick last season.
West Liberty (6-26, 3-12) hopes to make a big leap forward in the third season for head coach Brooke Turner. Topper outside hitter Melissa Pierzchala earned WVIAC all-freshman accolades in 2008.
Ohio Valley (4-35, 2-13) will feature a young roster that includes six rookies.
Mercer County rivals Concord (7-21, 4-11) and Bluefield State (3-18, 1-14) hope to surprise in 2009. Concord welcomes a new head coach as Kathryn Southcott replaces Pat Hardin. Bluefield State hopes to progress under second-year head coach Katherine Ward.
The top twelve squads in the final regular season standings qualify for the November 12-14 WVIAC Tournament at the Charleston Catholic Sports Complex. Most league teams take to the court on August 28 for their regular season openers.The complete 2009 WVIAC volleyball coaches' poll follows:
Pos.
School (1st place votes)
2008 W-L
Pts.
1.
Wheeling Jesuit (11)
30-10, 14-1
192
2.
West Virginia State (2)
25-5, 15-0
180
3.
Charleston
16-18, 7-8
154
4.
Alderson-Broaddus
25-13, 13-2
152
5.
Seton Hill
14-13, 10-5
144
6.
West Virginia Wesleyan
13-15, 11-4
131
7.
Pitt Johnstown
21-13, 9-6
107
8.
Glenville State
14-16, 9-6
105
9.
Davis & Elkins
20-18, 9-6
96
10.
Fairmont State
13-23, 6-9
77
11.
Shepherd
11-22, 7-8
76
12.
West Liberty
6-26, 3-12
49
13.
Ohio Valley
4-35, 2-13
36
14.
Concord
7-21, 4-11
30
15.
Bluefield State
3-18, 1-14
23