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Youthful Ravens Have NCAA Berth in Sight
The Franklin Pierce volleyball team enters the 2006 campaign with a new presence and poise in its step. After a 2005 season in which the Ravens posted an overall record of 14-14 (9-5 NE-10) and returned to postseason play for the first time since joining the Northeast-10 Conference in 2000, the program aims to continue its resurgence. Entering her first season at the helm of the Franklin Pierce volleyball team, Head Coach Sharon Bonaventure inherits a very young Ravens squad, but one with experience from last year’s NE-10 Tournament and Eastern College Athletic Conference berths. Bonaventure comes to Franklin Pierce after five successful seasons as head coach at West Chester University. She compiled a 99-59 (.627) overall record with the Golden Rams, including three 20-win seasons. Bonaventure was twice named Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Coach of the Year and produced the PSAC Rookie of the Year each of the last three seasons. With nine incoming freshmen, and four returning players, three of which are of sophomore status, Bonaventure believes the Ravens have the veteran leadership to lead the program to its first regional berth.
“Although we are a very young team, we are fortunate enough to have four strong returnees who will act as catalyst for the incoming players,” said Bonaventure. “The team has come (into preseason) really motivated and is ready to make a significant impact in the Northeast-10.” Franklin Pierce, perhaps overlooked, was ranked sixth in the 2006 Northeast-10 volleyball preseason coaches’ poll. The Ravens will look to build around its co-captains, sophomore Karissa Hookstadt (Camarillo, Calif./Camarillo) and senior Michelle McConnell (Elora, Ontario/Centre Wellington). Hookstadt will set the tone for the Ravens offense this season. The two-time, Northeast-10 Freshman of the Week, is coming off a successful rookie season in which she averaged 8.59 assists per game (10th NE-10) and 2.18 digs at the setter position. Sophomore Nicole Buchholz (Ashburn, Va./Stone Bridge) will also be a key contributor on offense. Last season the middle blocker earned third team All-Conference honors while averaging a team-high 3.29 kills and 1.05 blocks (10th NE-10) per game. Freshmen Megan Feldmeth (South Pasadena, Calif./South Pasadena), Caitlynn Parnell (Medina, Texas/Medina) and Katie Ristow (Miami, Fla./Miami Killian SHS) will see significant playing time during their rookie seasons and round out the Ravens attack.
Defensively, Franklin Pierce will be led by McConnell, who is making the switch from outside hitter to libero this season. McConnell ranked second on the team in digs, posting 2.20 per game, while also adding 1.46 kills/gm in 2005. Freshmen Candice McDonald (West Springfield, Mass./West Springfield) and Lindsay Burrill (Salem, N.H./Salem) will also aid the Ravens defensive effort, competing for time during their first collegiate season. The 2006 schedule consists of 27 matches with 14 Northeast-10 Conference matches. Franklin Pierce opens its season on August 25th at the UMass Lowell River Hawk Invitational where the Ravens face rival UMass Lowell in their first match of the season. “This year, our schedule is very competitive with a good test right off the bat,” said Bonaventure. “If we engage in competition early, we will have a very successful season.” Questions?
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