Volleyball Preview Part 1: Youngstown State

Aug. 8, 2007

It happens every year. College coaches reflect upon the lessons learned - both good and bad - from the previous season in an effort to ascertain what it will take to make the next step in building a championship contender.

For Youngstown State and Head Coach Joe Bonner, 2006's three-win improvement from the year before while often using several freshman and two inexperienced sophomores is a move in the right direction. But now, expectations continue to rise.

"We are getting to the point where the team drives itself," Bonner said. "We (The coaches and players) understand each others' expectations and share the same vision as to where we want this program to go."

A significant challenge to the Penguins' rise in the Horizon League will be the relative youth of the 2007 roster. Of the 13 players on the team, 10 are sophomores and freshmen with only one senior and two juniors.

Seven players, however, have at least a year of college playing experience and the entire squad's versatility and depth are two keys factors Bonner believes will bring the Penguins success.

"This is a young but experienced team," Bonner said. "Although we have six newcomers, our returners have quality game experience.

"This group has several players that can play multiple positions so we will have many options this season."

Setter
Returning to run the offense for the second straight season is junior setter Karla Everhart.

Everhart, who already ranks seventh all-time with 1,182 career assists, dished out 1,125 assists and averaged 10.32 assists per game during her sophomore season.

Suffering from a foot injury, Everhart did not compete in the spring but still displayed true leadership characteristics.

"Karla is a gritty athlete," Bonner said. "This spring she had a chance to fine-tune her decision making and offensive creativeness."

Freshman Dani Soubliere, an all-state performer from Howell, Mich., is expected to get playing time as Everhart's backup.

Outside Hitter
Probably the most athletic and the area with the most depth is at the outside hitter position.

Only two of the five outside hitters listed on the roster have college experience at that spot but Bonner has a tremendous amount of confidence in those players.

"As a whole, this group's talent and potential is really untapped," Bonner said. "It is going to be exciting to watch these kids grow."

Junior Ebony Barbosa is the most experienced of the outside hitters with 409 career kills, including 299 last season as a sophomore.

"Ebony really grew as a leader for this team and her knowledge of the outside hitter position is where we need it to be," Bonner said. "She really improved on scoring on a more consistent level."

Sophomore Dana Leslie, who tallied 10 kills and appeared in 15 matches last season mostly during the later stages of the campaign, showed a lot of improvement during the spring season and is poised to contribute on the left side.

"Dana grabbed some valuable experience toward the end of last season which catapulted her into a solid spring season," Bonner added.

Sophomore Kaitlin O'Hara is one of three new faces on the left side for Bonner. The 6-foot-2 native of Canandaigua, N.Y., is making the transition to outside hitter from middle hitter where she recorded 197 kills and 69 blocks while missing a month due to a shoulder injury.

"Kaitlin's versatility has allowed us to make this move," Bonner said. "She has put in a lot of time working on the left side and her blocking presence will be felt immediately."

Freshmen Kesli Bitter and Abigail Drost, who enrolled in school in January, round out the left-side hitters.

"Abigail and Kesli are two talented and well-rounded players," Bonner said. "Abigail may have a bit of a head start since she came to school early, but I expect to see great things from them both."

Middle Hitters
The position which achieved the most success last season and one of the most veteran on the team is in the middle.

Sophomores Ruth Boscaljon and Allison Heinz combined for 454 kills and 203 blocks as freshmen last season.

Boscaljon also was named to the All-Horizon League First-Team and captured Co-Newcomer of the Year in 2006 after boasting a YSU freshmen record 363 kills and 128 blocks. Meanwhile, Heinz nailed 191 kills and 75 total blocks last season.

"Ruth is growing into a leadership role on the court and has become someone the players can rely on to talk to," Bonner said. "Allison developed more of a presence on the court and is more aware of the speed of the college game and the responsibilities of a middle hitter.

Newcomer Haley Kapferer, a 2006 Wendy's High School Heisman candidate, could also see time in the middle.

As a senior at Jefferson Area High School, Kapferer notched 271 kills and 86 blocks and was named the conference player of the year.

"Haley will be a great complement to Ruth and Allison in the middle," Bonner said. "She is another one who can play more than one position and has great blocking skills."

Right Side Hitters
Three-year letterwinner and the lone senior on the club Jessica Fraley returns for her final season on the right side.

A 2004 Horizon League All-Newcomer Team pick, Fraley has been hampered by two abdominal surgeries over the last two seasons but is back healthy.

During her freshman campaign, Fraley collected 360 kills and 270 digs but has appeared in just 28 matches over the last two seasons due to injury.

"Jess has rediscovered the fun in the game by overcoming two surgeries which overshadowed the hard work she has put in," Bonner said. "I'm excited for Jess and confident she can return to her dominating form."

Freshman Tasha Reid from Avonmore, Pa., is also slated to see action on the right side.

Tasha is a strong blocker and versatile player that needs some seasoning," Bonner said. "She's has a tremendous upside."

Defensive Specialists/Libero
The Penguins will have to recoup their biggest losses from last season's back row lineup. Replacing last year's defensive specialists/liberos Amanda Cindric, Cari Leslie and Janelle McDonald, who compiled a combined 3,261 career digs, may be Bonner's toughest task this season and begins with newcomer Laurie Shives.

"Losing three experienced and talented back-row players in one year is going to be a challenge," Bonner said. "Fortunately we have several players like Laurie Shives to fill the void."

Shives, a Columbus Dispatch "20 Area High School Volleyball Players to Watch" selection, was named her team's best defensive player and collected 347 digs during her senior season at Central Crossing High School.

Story provided by YSU Office of Sports Information