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December 5, 2009

Transition year in volleyball

Returnees heighten competition for last volleyball winter season



Beekmantown and Plattsburgh High School were in a class of their own last season in Champlain Valley Athletic Conference volleyball.

The Eagles captured the CVAC championship with a perfect 16-0 record, while the Hornets suffered two losses to Beekmantown during the regular season and finished second in the standings at 14-2.

However, got revenge over Beekmantown in the Section VII Class B finals and both teams will be expecting to stay in title contention this year.

Northern Adirondack, meanwhile, won yet another championship in Class C.

This will be the final season as a winter sport for girls' volleyball. It will switch to the fall in 2010, the traditional season for the sport in New York State.

AuSable Valley
All the starters from a year ago return for the Patriots (8-8), including senior Alexandra Hoey, who plays year-round.

AuSable Valley despite having only two seniors, is more experienced and hope to spread the ball around more.

The Patriots, however, lack height and can't afford injuries or illnesses with the lack of depth on the team.

Players lost

Maureen Myers.

Players returning

Alexandra Hoey, Shiloh Bourgeois, Amanda Hamilton, Emily Miller, Kelly McBrearity, Chelsea Lawrence, Karissa Fuller.

Newcomers

Mallory Finnegan.

Beekmantown
The Eagles, who went 16-0 to win the CVAC championship before losing to Plattsburgh High School in the Section VII Class B finals, will be a title threat again.

Beekmantown lost three players off last year's team and has a large squad, with quality depth at every position.

Aggressive team defense, talented underclassmen, work ethic and focus, and ability to adapt to a new position quickly are all considered team strengths.

Players lost

Kelley Lucia, Rosi Cummings, Hillary Sponable.

Player roster

Brittany Lapham, Kelsey Barnes, Erin Munro, Lauren Gonyea, Alissa Momot, Jenna Brault, Ashley Myers, Krysten Koktowski, Taylor Manor, Katelyn Dufrane, Dakota Prue, Emily Wyand, Colleen Bradley, Steph Clookey.

Lake Placid
The Blue Bombers lost six players to graduation and will field a young team this season.

Four players return — two seniors and two juniors — and will be joined by seven newcomers — four juniors and three sophomores.

Lake Placid is working hard and team play will be key to Lake Placid's success.

Players lost

Bethany Valenze, Alex Caudill, Mackenzie Puerner, Lauren Scarpelli, McKenzie Riley, Julia Appleton.

Returning players

Jessica Boyer, Ally Wyle, Ali Baumbach, Chrystine Ellis.

Newcomers

Kelly Watson, Brianna Wyle, Harlee Stanton, Sabrina Symonds, Olivia Dempsey, Fran Pickett, Joanna Politi.

Northeastern Clinton
The Cougars (10-6) are hoping their five returning players will mesh with some talented newcomers to keep the team competitive with the top teams in the league.

Seniors Ashley Goyette, Ayisha Loya and Alyssa Rabideau, along with Kristen Langr and Elena Sanchez-Freeman return as starters on a team that needs to play consistently in every match.

Players lost

Ashley DiBernardo, Catherine Dietsche, Meaghan Langr, Tessa Rogers, Brooke Surprenant.

Players returning

Ashley Goyette, Ayisha Loya, Alyssa Rabideau, Kristen Langr, Elena Sanchez-Freeman.

Newcomers

Ashley Lamberton, Megan Richards, Colleen Ryan, Anna Sarbou, Victoria Duprey, Kelly Rogers, Vada Loya, Mallory Honan.

Northern Adirondack

The strength for the Bobcats will be their defense. NAC does a good job keeping the ball off the floor.

To be successful, however, the Bobcats will need consistency from their outside hitters and also overcome the team's lack of height at the net when it comes to blocking.

Senior outside hitter Chelcie Trombly and junior setters Emily Garrand and Sara Williams are returning starters.

Players lost

Sarah Brunell, Chelsea Warick, Amanda Filion, Jordyn Danforth, Stephanie Love, Amber Cayea.

Players returning

Kara Perry, Chelcie Trombly, Paige Magoon, Emily Garrand, Sara Williams, Bethany Drown.

Newcomers

Allison LaMountain, Tessa King, Nicole Durnin, Taylor Durkin.

Peru
The Indians are expecting center hitter Sarah Banker, setter Jenn Beauter and outside hitter Melaney Boudreau to give the team strong senior leadership.

Peru will play aggressive defense, but needs to become more consistent in their hopes of moving up in the standings.

Players lost

Megan Wyand, Abby Fordham, Jenna Lafountain, Jillian Kowalowski.

Players returning

Sarah Banker, Jenn Beauter, Melaney Boudreau, Abby Higgins, Samantha Banker, Chelsea Johnston.

Newcomers

Emily Dukette, Amanda Way, Paige Moore, Breanna Martineau.

Plattsburgh
The Hornets are coming off a 14-2 regular season and Section VII Class B championship.

Returners Olivia Harrigan and Brittany Bracale will be helpful in PHS' success at the net, while Jenny Phillips and Ashley Menard will provide senior leadership on the court.

The Hornets will also have a strong core of athletic juniors who will round out the starting line-up and by key to the team's defense.

Finding balanced play from a brand new line-up and getting the proper communication and chemistry will be key factors.

Players lost

Carly Fisher, Kayla Hoopes, Hannah Emery, Ashley Rebideau, Rochell Gist, Josella Gist.

Returning players

Brittany Bracale, Ashley Menard, Olivia Harrigan, Jenny Phillips.

Newcomers

Taylor McMahon, Megan Gadzuk-Shea, Hillary Miller, Laure Ouedraogo, Kelly Quinn, Kelli Foster, Kristen Fisher, Megan Jubert, Kailyn LaRose.

Saranac
Senior Kelli Jock, along with juniors Rachel Leitsch and Kimberly Plumadore, return as starters for the Chiefs (11-5).

Strengths on the team will be the players' love for the game and willingness to work together and encourage one another.

The keys to Saranac's success will be strong serving, improved defense and improved offensive skills.

Players lost

Sam Finizio, Jamie Frenyea, Kayla Nason, Victoria Hutti, Melissa Doherty, Alysha Keller.

Returning players

Brianna Olsen, Caitlin Furnia, Kelli Jock, Rachel Leitsch, Kimberly Plumadore.

Newcomers

Tiffany Morrow, Katelyn Drollette, Abriana Myers, Sarah Ducatte, Emily Heath, Katrina Fountain, Hannah Klooster, Braquel Campion.

Saranac Lake
With seven returning players, including five seniors, the Red Storm have the potential to be one of the better teams in the league.

Strong serving and offensive play will be the basis for success. Defense will fall into place as the season goes on and passing will become more consistent with each game.

Players lost

Heleni Kuma, Erin Miner, Harley Wilson, Emily Lennon.

Players returning

Hannah Molloy, Courtney Sullivan, Brittany Gardner, Mariah LaBrake, Naomi Connors, Lillie Tissot, Vanessa Dashnaw, Ryan Garnish.

Newcomers

Brooke Fitzgerald, Eliza Lennon, Faith Connors, Krystal Duguay, Geanette Orton.

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