2010 Women's Volleyball Season Preview

Head Coach Rhonda Faunce enters her 23rd season guiding the Elmira College Women’s Volleyball team. Last season, Faunce led the Soaring Eagles to a 17-12 record which included a trip to the ECAC Metro-Upstate Championships where the team finished second. EC won the Elmira College Invitational and Baruch Tournament, and also claimed a second place finish in the Plattsburgh Tournament during the 2009 campaign.

Providing the offensive firepower for the Soaring Eagles this season will be second year standout Sasha Zavadska ’13 (Bratislava, SVK -- The British School). In her rookie campaign, Zavadska put up veteran numbers as she led EC with 389 kills and 413 digs. She ranked second in the Empire 8 in kills per game (.354) and fifth in digs per game (3.75). Her outstanding play on both sides of the ball earned her several accolades this season including an Empire 8 All-Conference Second Team spot as well as AVCA Division III Honorable Mention All-American status. Expect outstanding play from Zavadska this season.

Leading Elmira will be Class of 2011 standouts Tesia Kaczynski ’11 (Mansfield, PA -- Mansfield), Chelsea Needham ’11 (Middletown, NY -- Middletown), and Andrea Masiello ’11 (Rochester, NY -- Greece Arcadia).

Kaczynski proved to be among the leagues best in the 2009 season. Kaczynski earned an Empire 8 Honorable Mention selection, as she recorded team highs in assists (992) and aces (46). Needham was a main contributor in ’09 as she totaled 222 kills, 31 aces, and a team second best 352 blocks. She also finished second on the team in kills (300), aces (44), and blocks (65). Masiello gained valuable experience last season, and was honored for her exceptional sportsmanship by the Empire 8 as she was Elmira’s representative for Sportswoman of the Year.

The duo of Brittany Raykoske ’12 (Gloversville, NY -- Gloversville) and Katie Leo ’12 (Hicksville, NY -- Holy Trinity) will provide the Purple and Gold with consistent play in the 2010 season.

In ’09, Raykoske ranked fifth in the Empire 8 Conference in hitting percentage (.250) and seventh in kills per game (2.75), and earned an Empire 8 All-Conference Honorable Mention selection. Leo proved to be a defensive specialist as she recorded 304 digs. Look for both of these players to excel this season.

The squad returns three outstanding second year players. Francene Cicia ’13 (Sunderland, MA -- Frontier Regional) and Melanie Pershyn ’13 (Lakeview, NY -- Frontier) each earned valuable experience last season with Cicia adding an impressive 22 aces in her rookie season. Look for the trio of Zavadska, Cicia, and Pershyn to make a major impact in 2010.

“With the addition of several talented newcomers, plus our solid core, our goal this season is to compete for the Empire 8 Championship. We have all the ingredients, it is about developing as a group and competing every moment” commented Coach Faunce.

With an excellent combination of youth and experience, the Soaring Eagles are prime for a post-season run. The Purple and Gold will look to regain a spot at the top of the standings and an opportunity to compete for the Empire 8 Championship.

The Soaring Eagles will host the 2010 Elmira College Invitational on Friday, September 10th and Saturday, September 11th in Speidel Gymnasium.