Women's Volleyball
2006 Season Recap
Despite a 12-13 (4-4 NEWMAC) mark, the Clark University women’s volleyball team had its best campaign since 2001. Not only did the Cougars record its highest number of overall wins (12) in five years, but also started its conference slate going 3-1 for the first time since 1995 with early season victories over Babson College (3-2), Wheaton College (3-1) and WPI (3-0). It was Clark’s first win over Wheaton in five tries. The Cougars capped their year by celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Clark Volleyball at its final regular season home game. Earning the sixth seed in the NEWMAC tournament for the first time since 2001, Clark bowed out after the opening round with a 3-0 loss to Springfield College.
Earlier in the season, Clark posted a 2-1 record at the Worcester City Tournament, where junior middle-blocker Sarah Hunsucker and senior outside hitter Margo Labadorf were named to the All-Tournament team. Following the season, senior defensive specialist Regat Gebrebrehan and senior setter Larissa Christenson were named to the NEWMAC academic all-conference team, while Labadorf was selected to play in the New England Women’s Volleyball Association (NEWVA) Senior Classic match.
2006 Season Outlook
The 2006-07 edition of Clark University women’s volleyball has its sights set on a winning season this year. After a 10-18 (3-6 NEWMAC) campaign last season, the Cougars welcome back five starters and four seniors looking to go out on top. With the addition of five first-year players, Head Coach Kate Weiss hopes this squad will start strong and finish with a bang.
“We’ve had incredible starts our last couple of seasons,” said third-year head coach Kate Weiss. “If we could do that this year and continue the momentum throughout, that would be a step in the right direction.”
One of Coach Weiss’s biggest challenges will be replacing New England Women’s Volleyball Association (NEWVA) senior all-star Kara Scimeca, who will join the coaching staff as an assistant this fall. Although losing Scimeca will be difficult, Weiss is confident that junior co-captain Sarah Hunsucker and newcomer Elizabeth Magier will give the Cougars’ a strong middle-hitting tandem.
The Cougars return a wealth of talent on the outside, where senior Margo Labadorf and sophomore Karleen Porcena will make a menacing pair. Labadorf, topped the team in kills (2.5) last season, while versatile Porcena hopes to have a breakout year. With the loss of right-side hitter Adiba Hassan, junior Kate Head will take over the responsibility, while transfer Pamela Taylor may also see time at the position.
Seniors Tiffany Ong and Larissa Christensen, co-captain, will battle for the starting nod at setter. “Last year we split the position,” said Weiss. “We’re not sure how it will work this season because they both contribute so much to the team.”
Clark must also compensate for the loss of libero Petra Kristie. Sophomore Magen Blake looks to step into the starting defensive role, while senior Regat Gebreberhan and first-year player Emily Visone are expected to see significant back-row playing time.
Freshman players Brittany Meadows and Kylie Kutney will add much-needed depth to the Cougar line-up.
Adding a pair of non-conference tri-matches to Clark’s already competitive schedule, Weiss is confident the competition will prepare the squad for the hard-hitting NEWMAC.
“A goal our team should aspire to is being competitive out of conference and to return to a winning season,” she said.
For more information about Clark University Women's Volleyball, please contact head coach
Mickey Cahoon at (508) 793-7260 or by email at mcahoon@clarku.edu
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