Volleyball Poised Behind Senior Captains

Author: Nick Ferrer

The women's volleyball team has good reason to be excited about its upcoming season. After losing just two starters to graduation in a year spent rebuilding, this year's preseason practices have shown more than just hints of promise – they've shone with brilliance.
The Panthers are led by senior co-captains Evan Kanaly and Katie Kenney, and the two are determined to set the par at excellence. Having led the team in kills last year, Kanaly will be the go-to hitter and the centerpiece of the team's offensive attack, while the steady-setting Kenney looks to once again lead the team in service points.
In addition to the captains, the team returns starting middle-hitters Daniel Boniello '04 and Katy Hicks '05. Both Boniello and Hicks are ready for breakout seasons, and their experience from last year should serve them well as they take on new leadership roles.
Without question, the Panthers greatest preseason surprise has been the scintillating play of several first-years. Molly Cable, Jamie Wong, Ellen Wohlberg and Jackie Edwards provide the team with ample depth, and they are joined by rookie Claire Johnson '05.5 as what may come to be known as "the golden class" of Middlebury College women's volleyball. Cable and Edwards are both very capable middle hitters that should see plenty of time, and Wong and Wohlberg help fill in the outside hitter gaps. Wong's defensive efforts have already raised several eyebrows in practice and are likely to wreak havoc against conference foes. Laurie Wollin '05 will also give the Panthers a dangerous defensive weapon.
The regular season will begin on Sept. 18 when the Panthers travel to play Colby Sawyer College. Two days later they will find themselves at Hamilton College where they will face-off against New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) adversaries Bates, Bowdoin and Colby. But the real eye-opener is sure to be the home opener on Sept. 24 against Union College. There, the Panthers will have their first opportunity to give their loyal fans a glimpse of the new team. And, according to Kenney, it's a team that won't let down the fans. "Last year we had a lot of potential, but we never fully reached it," she explained. "This year it's possible to reach that potential."
Yet even a team packed with talent and leadership can't be assured of an easy ride in the cutthroat world of NESCAC volleyball. The team knows it will take a lot more than big serves and stellar defense if it wants to make its mark in the postseason.
Cohesion, for one, will certainly help win games. Fortunately, that may be the team's biggest asset. "We play really well together as a team," said Kanaly. "The NESCAC will be extremely competitive this year, but there is no reason we shouldn't be one of the most competitive teams in it."