Pitt State Volleyball

2009 Outlook

For the first time in several years, Pitt State Volleyball has a whole new look for 2009. With only five returners from last season and only three players with more than a year of experience in the program, Head Coach Ibraheem Suberu and his staff certainly have their work cut out for them. But working with a young squad with a lot of potential and high volleyball IQ is more exciting than daunting.

"(Assistant Coach Lindsay) Sowder-Hill and I are excited to be molding this group through the process to achieve their goals," Suberu said. "This year we are starting all over. We have more numbers of players starting over than we ever have. It is going to be exciting to see their acceleration throughout the season."

"This team has set a modest goal. They want to continue improving every day and do what is under their control. In the long term, they want to make the NCAA Tournament, which has become a tradition. This year's team understands its pre-season No. 17 ranking is because of the respect for what the Pitt State Volleyball program has become. They are working hard to earn their own identity."

There are two crucial pieces to the 2009 Pitt State squad earning its own identity ... and its own spot in the rankings. Those crucial pieces are its seniors, outside hitter Pamela Cartagena (5-7, Bayamon, Puerto Rico) and senior Emily Vosseler (5-10, Leavenworth, Kan.). Both are fifth-year seniors and they will be relied on for their experience and leadership.

Cartagena is no stranger to the rigors of the Pitt State schedule and the competitiveness of the teams the squad will face, especially in league play. Because of that experience and her ability to score points, Cartagena must be the anchor for her young team. In the past, Cartagena has had a stong cast of supporting veteran players around her. She has been one of several stars on the court, now she will be the main star that the offensive and defensive schemes revolve around.

"We will rely on Pamela to carry a big part of our offense and defense," Suberu said. "She will have to be the person that our pass defense and attack flows through more than in the past.

Vosseler's role will be to be a steadying factor on the court for all the young players. Her experience on the court the last three years and as a starter last year give her the skills to be a more consistent player. Her consistency at setter is necessary for a smoothly run offense. At the end of last season, Vosseler also began to take on a bigger defensive role, as she put up bigger numbers of blocks and digs. That trend will continue this season as her experience will be valuable both at the net and in the back court.

Junior Cassie Wilson (5-10, Pittsburg, Kan.) is the third Gorilla player who saw considerable time on the court in 2008. Her role will continue to expand in 2009, so much, in fact, that Coach Suberu describes her position as a utility player. In addition to a continued defensive role in the back court, Wilson will also be relied on contribute offensively in the front court as well.

"Cassie has fashioned a very important role for herself as someone who can play both offensively and defensively," Suberu said. "He role will change match to match, based on where she is most needed. She is capable of being dominant as a libero, as well as provide stability at the net as an offensive player."

Training behind Vosseler at the setter position will be freshman Becca Pearson (5-8, Kansas City, Mo./St. Pius X High School). Pearson has a strong presence on the court, good energy and communications skills and good defensive skills. As she works on more consistency in her set location and decision making, she will become more capable of being a bigger contributor.

The outside/rightside hitter positions have a returner with one year of experience and two newcomers joining Cartagena. Sophomore Samantha Franiuk (5-10, Tonganoxie, Kan.) saw limited action last season, but came on during the spring and in early preseason practices. She has established herself as a point scorer, reads schemes better and has expanded her shot making range. Sophomore Corrinne Stringer (6-0, Topeka, Kan.) joins the Pitt State squad from the University of Kansas. She is a very physical player. She is adjusting to the Pitt State system very well and since arriving in Pittsburg has improved her range, form, footwork and passing. She will be counted on to produce points. Freshman Shannon Majors (5-8, Topeka, Kan./Washburn Rural High School) has a very good volleyball IQ and is evolving to be a physical force. She is improving her speed and vertical elevation so she will be able to play above the net consistently.

Four new players will be competing for spots in middle blocker positions. Junior Molly Bergkamp (5-9, Blue Rapids, Kan.) transferred to Pitt State from Hutchinson Community College. She will play middle blocker/outside hitter. She is quick and aggressive and her quickness will be an asset in the Gorilla's blocking defense. She will be able to produce points and will be a leader on the court.  Freshman Brooke Fay (6-0, Parkville, Mo./Park Hill South High School) is a very athletic middle blocker/outside hitter with tremendous range. She posses advanced blocking skills and is working on learning the rhythm of the Pitt State offense. Freshman Leah Flynn (5-11, Topeka, Kan./Hayden High School) has the potential to be a 3-to-4-point scorer per set. She has the ability to be multi-dimensional in her offensive role and has caught on quickly during preseason. Freshman Brook Jansen's (5-11, Shawnee, Kan./St. James Academy) attention to detail, determination to excel and understanding of the game will allow her to become a dependable point scorer for the Gorillas, whether in a middle blocker or rightside hitter position. If she continues the progress she has made in preseason, she will see more time as the season progresses.

Pitt State has two players focusing as defensive specialists in 2009. Junior Riann Deere (5-3, Lansing, Kan.) transfered from Neosho Community College where she played libero for two seasons. She is a quick, high energy player, who is very team oriented. She will be able to provide the Gorillas with consistent passing, providing shut down, ball off the floor defense that is necessary to give the offense second and third chances to score points. Sophomore Tesia Lahm (5-6, Carl Junction, Mo.) has improved her communication skills and her vocal presence has been impressive in preseason workouts. That improved communication has helped her improve as a passer and defensive stopper. She will be counted on to contribute significantly this season.

The biggest challenge for this young Pitt State squad will be to maintain consistency. In order to be successful, the team will have to be steady under pressure, despite its youth. The good news its that its strengths are some of the little things that separate good teams from the great teams. When this team makes mistakes, they are quick to recognize their flaws and correct them, they communicate well, have a high on-court consciousness and they are focused. With that attitude and continuously improving skills, 2009 should be and exciting season for Gorilla volleyball.