Behrend Lions Volleyball 2009 Season Preview

The 2008 Behrend Lions volleyball team captured the ECAC South Region Championship in dramatic fashion, coming back from a 2-1 set deficit against Cabrini to take the title in five exciting sets.  The ECAC championship was the first ever for the Penn State Behrend volleyball program and a satisfying cap to a season in which the squad posted a 25-9 record and won ten of its last 11 matches.

Before heading to the ECAC tournament, the blue and white reached the championship match of the AMCC tournament but came up short against two-time champion Frostburg State.  Behrend's 2009 team hopes to build off the ECAC success and again challenge for the AMCC crown. 

Head Coach Phil Pisano returns for his sixth season leading the blue and white.  Joining Pisano will be assistant coaches Gerry Vensel (sixth season), Paige Payer (second season), and Julie Koman (first season). 

Penn State Behrend heads into 2009 with eight returning players including three all-conference seniors in setter Brooke Gallentine (Mt. Pleasant/Southmoreland), outside hitter Carissa Johnston (Cambridge Springs/Cambridge Springs), and middle hitter Sheila Ogden (Grove City/Grove City).  Gallentine was a first-team All-AMCC selection in 2008, and has the ability and experience to compare to any setter in the region.  She is second in career assists at Behrend and has greatly improved her serving and defense over the past few seasons.  Coach Pisano said, "Brooke elevated her level of play last season and developed into one of the best setters around.  We'll need her to come through once again to be a championship level team, and we all know she can do it."

Johnston and Ogden have been producing at the net since their freshman seasons as Ogden, a first-team All-AMCC selection a year ago has averaged 2.79 kills/set for her career, while Johnston a second-team All-AMCC selection a year ago has posted 2.35 kills/set.  Ogden put away over 300 kills for the second straight season last year, while Johnston battled injuries in 2008 but still managed to post her personal best in attack efficiency.  Pisano said, "Sheila and Carissa have been highly productive players for us, have both emerged as vocal leaders, and have the experience and attitude to excel under pressure."

The lone junior is outside hitter Danielle Woods (Pittsburgh/Baldwin).  Woods has totaled 762 digs, 282 kills, and 102 aces after two seasons with the blue and white.  In 2009 she will compete as an outside hitter and as a libero.  Pisano said, "Danielle is a tremendous athlete who has a knack for making tough plays, she's become more of a leader for us, and she's on the verge of breaking out in a big way."

Four players return for their second season at Behrend, three of whom saw significant action in 2008.  Lauren Dalton (Cochranton/Cochranton) was the team's Rookie of the Year and the Co-Newcomer of the Year in the AMCC after bursting onto the scene with 303 kills as a freshman.  She will be counted on to be a serious offensive threat, while growing her role in the backcourt.  Stefanie Kelley (Moon Township/Moon) led Behrend with 404 digs a season ago, has worked hard to improve her attacking, and will play a big role for the Behrend Lions in 2009.  Kaitlyn Bianco (Aliquippa/Center) worked as a rightside hitter and saw action in 56 games as a freshmen producing 61 kills with 24 blocks, and will push for more court time in 2009.  Alexandra Johnson (Imperial/West Allegheny) has four seasons of eligibility remaining after missing the 2008 season with an injury.  Johnson will compete as a rightside and middle hitter and should play a key role as gains experience at the collegiate level.

The blue and white welcome seven freshmen in 2009.  Joining the Behrend Lions for their first season are setter Carly Higham (Meadville/Meadville/), middle hitters Alyssa Pears (Meadville/Meadville) and Jessica Woods (Corry/Corry), outside hitters Mary Sperry (Atlantic/Conneaut Lake) Elise Sykola (Grove City/Grove City), and Lexy Weissinger (Erie/McDowell), and defensive specialist Gabby Schultz (Saegertown/Saegertown).  This solid group boasts explosive athletic ability and great size, and several should see significant playing time in their first season at Behrend. 

The Behrend Lions face a tough early season schedule and will be road warriors in 2009 playing 19 of 29 regular season matches away from home.  The season opens with a home match on September 1 against Buffalo State in the Junker Center, where Behrend has posted a 44-7 record over the past four seasons.  September 4 and 5 will see the blue and white compete in a stacked tournament at Gettysburg, before returning to host the annual Behrend Invitational September 11 and 12.  Conference play for the blue and white begins on September 19 at La Roche with the AMCC semifinals and finals set for November 6 and 7 to be hosted by the regular season champion.

Coach Pisano said, "Earning the ECAC title a season ago was a huge moment for this program.  Heading into 2009 we're now a more experienced and confident team than we've been in awhile.  Our returning players have made great strides in working to become more complete players. The challenge will be to believe that we can continue improving throughout the season and constantly strive to play at a higher and higher level.  Our league is improving and our schedule will demand a high level of focus and consistency this year.  We're excited for the chance to compete against some great teams this year and eager to see what kind of team we will be in November."