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Manhattan University Athletics

Jones Prepared for 2010 Season

Women's Volleyball Manhattan Athletic Department

Jones Prepared for 2010 Season

With the Manhattan volleyball season set to get underway this weekend at the Cal Molten Classic in Berkeley, Calif., Head Coach Mark Jones sat down with gojaspers.com to discuss the team and the upcoming campaign.

What are your goals heading into the season?
Definitely my No.1 goal is for us to be technically sound, so practices are being geared towards fundamentals.  Team chemistry will be key.  That's something that was definitely missing last year.  I also want us continue to build upon the spring season, when we were competitive in practice & tournaments.  We need to compete all the time in order to be successful.
 
There was a lot of change going into last season (new coach, young roster).  This year, everything's been a little more consistent in the off-season.  How beneficial do you think that is, both for you and for the team?
We really needed this off-season, especially with such a young team.  There were six freshmen (now sophomores) who got a chance to see a lot of playing time during the spring, and that extra attention can only help.
 
In what areas do you think the team needs to improve from last season?
I want to concentrate of siding out more effectively, we need to score more points on serve, and our defense needs to be better--those are the three most important things.
 
What do you expect from your two four-year seniors (Diane Strutner and Jaci Rahey), both on the court and from a leadership perspective?
I'm looking for them to be the role models for this team.  If they can lead by example, it will help coaching staff tremendously and we will be much better team chemistry-wise.  One great thing is that they both work hard in practice & every game.  We'll need senior leadership to be successful.
 
On paper, outside hitting is one of the strengths of the team.  Do you expect that to be the case?  Who are the key players to look at on the outside?
Outside hitting was definitely a strength last year.  I want to be better at middle attack and scoring points in transition.  I think we'll see the most improvement in middle, but we need a more solid block on right side.  Aurore (Kullak) being healthy, and the addition of Brittany (DeGagne) will be key.
 
Who will you look to in the middle to overcome the loss of Rita Welsh?
I wanted to bring in somebody with a little more experience in middle.  LaKell (Havens) has that experience of playing at higher level that I was looking for, plus coming in as a JUCO transfer, she has a level of maturity that I like.  I looked at blocking first & foremost, but I also needed somebody who can put ball away in transition, and LaKell can do both.
 
Setter was obviously a problem area last season.  Who do you expect to step up and grab the starting role at that position?
The setter position is still up for grabs.  Jamie (Collareta) became the starter halfway through season last year, and I expect to be the starter again.  She has the work ethic, but she needs mind-set to beat everybody out.  Others can challenge, but I expect Jamie to pick up where she left off.
 
Julie Bies really stepped up as a freshman last season, seizing that libero role.  What do you expect from her this season, and do you see her being challenged in that role?
I'm really proud of Julie & what she did last year.  She really stepped up as a freshman at an important position.  I expect (freshman) Nikki (Chamberlin) to want to play, but Julie will be up for the challenge.  Others will want to compete for that position, as well, and it's a matter of who's going to be the most consistent.
 
What was your mentality when setting up the non-conference schedule?
Anytime you take on teams that are nationally ranked, you look at a few things--what do we need to work on, and did we want to step on floor and be competitive.  Our non-conference matches are very important.  We're going to see what made of very early.  However, we won't see anything different from anybody in our conference, and nobody in our conference is as good as Cal (ranked No. 11 in the preseason).
 
Who do you think will be the top teams in the MAAC, and do you think that you can challenge them for the conference title?
Niagara (the defending MAAC champions) will be very strong.  They're very young, very confident, very well coached, and they've got great team chemistry.  I also expect Fairfield to be back on top.  They've got some great athletes.  Marist is way up there also.
 
How much of a benefit do you think it is that all 10 teams will qualify for the MAAC Tournament this year?
It's definitely exciting that everyone's going (to the MAAC Tournament).  Anything can happen.  It just comes down to who's playing the best at the end of the season.  It gives everybody a different perspective during the season and changes your mindset.  Everyone knows they have a chance to go to NCAA Tournament.  Overall, I'm very excited about the new season.

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Players Mentioned

Diane Strutner

Diane Strutner

Throws
5' 11"
Freshman
Rita Welsh

Rita Welsh

Throws
6' 2"
Senior
Jaci Rahey

#11 Jaci Rahey

P/IF
6' 0"
Freshman
Jaci Rahey

#3 Jaci Rahey

OH
6' 0"
Freshman
Julie Bies

#2 Julie Bies

L
5' 2"
Freshman
Rita Welsh

#20 Rita Welsh

MB
6' 2"
Senior
Julie Bies

#2 Julie Bies

L
5' 2"
Sophomore
Jaci Rahey

#3 Jaci Rahey

OH
6' 0"
Senior
Diane Strutner

#1 Diane Strutner

OH
5' 11"
Senior

Players Mentioned

Diane Strutner

Diane Strutner

5' 11"
Freshman
Throws
Rita Welsh

Rita Welsh

6' 2"
Senior
Throws
Jaci Rahey

#11 Jaci Rahey

6' 0"
Freshman
P/IF
Jaci Rahey

#3 Jaci Rahey

6' 0"
Freshman
OH
Julie Bies

#2 Julie Bies

5' 2"
Freshman
L
Rita Welsh

#20 Rita Welsh

6' 2"
Senior
MB
Julie Bies

#2 Julie Bies

5' 2"
Sophomore
L
Jaci Rahey

#3 Jaci Rahey

6' 0"
Senior
OH
Diane Strutner

#1 Diane Strutner

5' 11"
Senior
OH
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