Eye On The Target: Experience and talent keeps expectations high for The University of Saint Francis volleyball team as they seek to get back to the top of the MCC. 

 After finishing tied for second in the Mid-Central Conference last season, the Lady Cougars are hungrier then ever. "We where in the hunt all season for the conference championship and even tied for first going into the last conference match," smiled USF Head Coach Hector Kiely. "We ran into some injuries at the end of the season that really slowed our momentum."

Kiely welcomes back five players with starting experience and adds two strong freshmen and a transfer who's team finished forth at the 2006 NJCAA Division II National Championships." We've got another strong recruiting class to join our veterans, who are determined to become champions. The returning players have taken on a "Blue Collar" mentality and have worked very hard to get stronger and better on the court each day." 

Here's a closer look at how the Lady Cougars break down headed into the 2007 season:

Outside Hitters- The Cougars return both of there starting outsides in Amanda Wiley and Cecelia Tieken. Junior ,Amanda Wiley who started since her freshmen year, finished last season second on the team in kills and kill per game (239/2.32), first on the team in aces (45), and third on the team in digs (344). “Amanda always puts up some consistent performances and in my mind has been underrated in the conference.”  Kiely said.

 Also returning as a junior is two time first team ALL-MCC and 2005 Freshman of the Year Cecelia Tieken, who also started as a freshman. Tieken lead the team in kills and kills per game (316/3.04), second on the team in aces (37), and second on the team in digs (386). “Tieken is a versatile player for us and at times had a lot of pressure on her offensively. The problem about achieving a lot of personal accolades is that you become a containment target by your opponent.” Kiely explains. “Both of our starting outsides have gained a lot of experience over the last two years by playing the nations best. We expect them to use this experience this season with on the court leadership and increased statistical efficiency.”

 Rounding out the outside is Freshmen Abby Schnur. Schnur brings championship experience at the high school level as she has been an essential part of one State Runner-up volleyball team (2005), a State Championship softball team (2005), and a State Runner-up softball team in (2006). In 2006, not only was Abby name second team ALL-State in volleyball but also State Mental Attitude award winner of class 3A softball. “We got a real winner in Abby.” Kiely Smiled. “She’s a winner and we expect her to make an immediate impact to the program as we utilize her in multiple roles.”   

 Middle Hitters- No question Michelle (Shelli) Rumschlag will be a major contributor after she delivered superior contributions in 2006 as a freshman. Rumschlag was third on the team with kills and kills per game (148/1.63), first in kill percentage (0.233), and first in blocking and blocks per game (81/.89). “Shelli had a great year and was a force at the net for us. She has worked hard in the spring to become one of the top middles in the conference and I believe she will achieve that.” Rumschlag earned 2nd team ALL-MCC as a freshman.

 Returning for her senior season is Jennifer Jenkins. Jenkins transfer to USF prior to the 2006 season from Ancilla College, and spent most of last season learning the Cougars system. “JJ had efficient offensive performances in the matches she was utilized. We expect her to have an increase role this season now that she knows the system.”

 Joining the middles this season is freshmen Courtney Perrine. Coach Kiely is excited about the potential Perrine possess and feels she will make an immediate impact to the position. “Courtney is a great athlete with good leaping ability. She started late to the game and getting club experience but over the last two club seasons she continues to improve at a rapid rate.” Kiely stated. “She is a student of the game and will be an asset to the position. I expect her to contribute to our success as a freshman.” 

 Rightside Hitters- Sophomore right side hitters Brooke Baker and Ashley Everhart are expected to build on the strong performances from last season. Baker, who coach Kiely initial brought in as an Outside last season, grew into a starting roll on the right. Baker was fifth on the team in kills and kills per game (100/1.27), and tide for third in aces (25). “I think we found a home for Baker on the right side, thought we aren’t afraid to use her else where,” Kiely would state. “She is a great blocker and as she gets comfortable in the new role I expect to see her statistical contribution to keep climbing.”

 Kiely believes that Ashley Everhart was his biggest surprise last season. “Here’s a kid though she held most every record at her high school, came to use with no club experience,” Explains Kiely. “We told her we were going to change her position and to consider her freshmen season a learning year. She ends up playing in twenty of our thirty-one matches and even was a major contributor to a key conference win over Bethel, who was the defending conference champion. Hands down she was our most improved player.”   Kiely believe that Everhart allows the Cougars to have a versatility in their lineup. “When you have several line-ups you can through out there, the competition has trouble preparing for you.”

 Setter- After running a setter by committee last season not only will he bring back a now more experienced Kayci Cowgill, but also adds a tall Corrianne Warrick, who in 2006 set her team to the semi-finals of the NJCAA Division II National Championships.

 Cowgill who shared time with Holli Jackson finished the season second in assists and assists per game (477/7.95) and tide for third in aces (25). “Kayci gained some great colligate experience last year. We expect her to use that experience to improve our offensive efficiency.” With an early departure of Jackson who has decided to focus on her academics and double major the starting roll will still remain a battle with the addition of Vincennes University transfer Corianne Warrick.  

 Warrick finish her career and championship run with 1,268 assists ,120 digs, 69 service aces, 130 kills, and 65 blocks for VU, helping them to a school-record 55-9 season. “Adding a player like Corianne to your roster that not only has colligate experience, but also brings national championship experience, that says a lot about your program.” Kiely Explains. “Corianne can use her experience from last season to help motivate her new teammates on what it will take to get their. I expect her to make and immediate impact and challenge for a starting role.”  

Schedule- The Lady Cougars are known for having a challenging regular season schedule.

 “To give yourself an accurate benchmark of where you are at on a national level you can’t worry about your overall win loss record,” Kiely insisted. “You have to go out and play the best the nation has to offer. At the end of the day you will know how good you are and at the same time have the battle experience that will prepare you for your conference and post season run, where wins and losses really count.”

 The Lady Cougars have scheduled eight teams that at some point in time were ranked or received votes in the NAIA Top 25 Rating in 2006. Three of these teams where participants at the 2006 NAIA National Championships including national powerhouse Columbia College who finished the year fifth in the nation and a quarter finalist at the national tourney, Georgetown College, and USF first meeting with a California school Azusa Pacific University who finished eleventh in the nation.