Keene Equinox

Issue date: 5/8/08 Section: Sports

Senior captain Britney O'Bryant returns a shot during a game against UMass-Dartmouth on Sept. 22, 2007.

They were undefeated in conference play with a record of 6-0, and an overall record of 25-15 in the NCAA, last year was a great year, but this year has hopes and determination of being that much better. Keene State College's women's volleyball team is good. They know they're good, their fans know they're good, and in the 2008 season they will be looking for more wins, and a berth in the NCAA Tournament.

"We lost in the semifinals, which was just stupid!" said volleyball coach Bob Weiner. "Our goal is to finish the job we started."

And the goal of winning the Little East Conference will be alive this upcoming season as KSC bowed out in a disappointing loss to Eastern Connecticut in 2007's conference tournament.

But that was last season, the upcoming season has promise of excitement, and the team hopes to have an even more successful season.

A senior next year, captain Sarah Peterson is extremely optimistic about next season, and hopes the squad will buckle down and get the job done.

"I hope we go further than we have ever gone before," said Peterson. "Every single game is important."

Peterson joins two other seniors on what looks to be an exceptionally talented group of women.

Coach Weiner is also very excited for next year's incoming class and has high hopes for more talent on an already stacked team.

"We're in nice condition," said Weiner. "We're returning three all-conference players, and we've had a terrific spring season."

Weiner also looks forward to a highly talented recruiting class, explaining that two or three women will probably be starting, while the other recruits will be key role players on top of an established team.

Joining Peterson as captains are seniors-to-be Britney O'Bryant and Chia Rowe (who will be in Australia for the semester).

These three are considered the leaders of the team, along with juniors-to-be Jordan Pokryfki and Carly Newton.

These girls hope they can pull off what last year's team came up just shy in; a NCAA tournament birth, and with team chemistry O'Bryant is assured they can do it.

"We want to be closer as a team," said O'Bryant. "We need a team bond we haven't had, we need to be closer. When you're not close together it's harder to play together."

Continued...

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