Friday, August 29, 2008
Strong Roster Bodes for Success for Mercy Volleyball
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| Diana Bruzzone |
DOBBS FERRY, NY – Head volleyball coach Jennifer Addison has high hopes going into the 2008 season. Addison recruited five new student-athletes to join her seven returnees.
“We are all excited about this season. The team spirit is high and our student-athletes feel confident,” Addison said. “We are more balanced and have a good chance to make the playoffs.”
With junior outside hitter Diana Bruzzone (Guayaquil, Ecuador) leading the way, the Mavericks are poised for a strong season. Bruzzone averaged 2.97 kills per game last year, which leads all returning players. She was second in the East Coast Conference (ECC) in service aces with 0.84 per game.
Sophomore middle hitter Shedeiky Hamilton (Yallahs, Jamaica) is also back for another season in the Blue & White. As a freshman, she led the team with a .210 hitting percentage and averaged 2.23 kills per game.
Junior setter Trevene Smith (Old Harbor, Jamaica) will be feeding the ball to her teammates. Smith led the Mavericks with 9.52 assists per game in 2007.
“I expect Shedeiky on the attack and Diana on defense to be a big part of our team,” Addison said.
Other returnees include sophomore middle hitter Mirlusca Montes (Lima, Peru), junior middle hitter Sasha Atkins (Bronx, NY) and senior middle hitter Diane Phillip (Yonkers, NY). With another year under each student-athletes’ belts, they will all be expected to provide the team with effective play. Red shirt freshman Crasheena Ward (Danbury, CT) will also contribute in her first season.
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| Trevene Smith |
Joining the Mavericks for the 2008 season are five student-athletes with a diverse range of skill sets. Addison, who is entering her sixth season at the helm, brought in two defensive specialists, freshman Ashleigh Curtis (Queens, NY) and junior Bernalyn Judan (Queens, NY). Both will get the chance to step into the action right away.
Junior middle blocker Ashley Zufelt (Farmington, NM) at 5-foot-11 and freshman outside hitter Bridgette Pennelle (Hawthorne, NY) at 5-foot-9 give the Mavericks some size. Zufelt and Pennelle will be crucial parts of the team’s defense. Also jumping aboard with the Mavericks is senior Lena Leite (St. Petersburg, Russia).
“Ashley Zufelt will be a force on the right side for us,” said Addison, “and Bridgette Pennelle can set and play defense so she has a double role.”
Mercy will begin its season at the Kutztown Tournament on Friday, August 29. The Mavericks will face many tough non-conference opponents along the way, including Stonehill, Southern Connecticut State, Dominican, Virginia State, Post and Bloomfield.
Addison’s squad will also play a difficult ECC slate. Mercy will face defending champion Dowling on Sept. 9 on the road and then back at home on Oct. 9. Adelphi, who was picked to finish second in the ECC Preseason poll, will also be stiff competition for the Mavericks.
Touting a strong roster, Mercy will look to compete with the top teams in the ECC.
