Cowley volleyball poised for another big season
August 11, 2011
Having placed in the top-three at each of the last two national tournaments, the Cowley College volleyball team has added some talented players to its roster as they attempt to make another run at a national title.
Achieving the highest winning percentage in the program's history in each of her first two seasons at the helm, Jenifer Bahner returns for her third season as head coach of the Lady Tiger volleyball team.
Bahner was named the District M Coach of the Year after Cowley finished the 2009 season as the national runner-up with a record of 32-5. In year two at the school, Bahner helped Cowley finish with a record of 34-4 overall and a share of its third straight conference title. The Lady Tigers won a school-record 29 matches in a row and placed third at the national tournament.
However, Cowley said goodbye to seven sophomores including two-time Jayhawk East Most Valuable Player, Roslandy Acosta, who is now playing volleyball at the University of Arkansas. Elena Berroteran, a first-team all-conference libero, and Lindsey Chandler, a second-team all-conference middle hitter will also be missed.
Looking to make up for those losses are Jayhawk East Freshman of the Year Emily Barto and starting setter Molley Scanlon.
"We will expect a lot from Emily and will work her at different positions on the court," Bahner said. "Being our setter, Molley will have a lot placed on her shoulders and will be counted on to run our team and our offense. She does everything we ask her to do and will provide leadership."
Danika Maggard and defensive specialist Shanna Seyfarth also return to the team. Seyfarth is the team's lone returning defensive player.
"Shanna will provide knowledge to the freshmen," Bahner said.
Last year's success helped Bahner in recruiting as she added nine freshmen and a junior college transfer to this year's team.
"Recruiting went really well, we have brought in 10 new players to provide competition at several positions," Bahner said. "Each of these girls has an opportunity to improve and fight for playing time."
Also new to the team is assistant coach Riann Mullis, who was an all-conference libero at Neosho County Community College before finishing her collegiate volleyball career at Pittsburg State University.
"Having played in the Jayhawk Conference Cowley was always the team to beat, so I like being on this side of the rivalry," Mullis said. "I am excited about the girls and their versatility and am ready to help the team grow throughout the season."
Having gone the past two years without an assistant coach on the staff, Bahner has welcomed Mullis with open arms.
"Riann has been great, she is another set of eyes for me and someone I trust," Bahner said. "She believes in the same things I believe in and will make our team better."
Mullis believes several of the freshmen on the squad will be able to make an immediate impact.
"Our incoming freshmen have a lot of versatility," Mullis said. "Who responds quicker and buys into our system will be key."
The Lady Tiger coaches see freshman outside hitter Georgina Perez from Guaynabo, Puerto Rico as being similar to former player Elena Berroteran.
"Georgina is very versatile as she can play in the front or back row and will bring a lot to our team," Mullis said.
Fellow freshman Martyna Gluchowicz from Poland is a left-handed, rightside hitter that will also be a nice addition to the team.
"We hope Martyna's power will help us fill the spot vacated by Roslandy," Bahner said.
Goda Jankauskaite is a sophomore transfer from Missouri West Plains, where she was the team's second leading point scorer as a freshman. At 6-2, she will provide a strong presence in the middle.
"She comes into our program with a year of college experience under her belt so she knows what it is like to be a student-athlete at the college level," Bahner said. "She has good size and blocking will be her biggest strength."
Other newcomers to the team are, Taylor Kean, SkyLeigh Bingham, Erin Lichter, Cathy Hafenstine, Bridget Paulk, and Sabetha Young.
As has been the case in recent years, Cowley has put together another challenging schedule.
"We like to schedule tournaments that feature top level teams to help prepare us for the district and national tournaments," Bahner said.
If the new players and returning players can learn to play together as a team, Cowley should continue to be one of the top squads in the nation.
"The competition we have for positions on the team should help make the girls better," Bahner said. "Our expectations are to win conference, host the district tournament and get back to nationals."
Achieving the highest winning percentage in the program's history in each of her first two seasons at the helm, Jenifer Bahner returns for her third season as head coach of the Lady Tiger volleyball team.
Bahner was named the District M Coach of the Year after Cowley finished the 2009 season as the national runner-up with a record of 32-5. In year two at the school, Bahner helped Cowley finish with a record of 34-4 overall and a share of its third straight conference title. The Lady Tigers won a school-record 29 matches in a row and placed third at the national tournament.
However, Cowley said goodbye to seven sophomores including two-time Jayhawk East Most Valuable Player, Roslandy Acosta, who is now playing volleyball at the University of Arkansas. Elena Berroteran, a first-team all-conference libero, and Lindsey Chandler, a second-team all-conference middle hitter will also be missed.
Looking to make up for those losses are Jayhawk East Freshman of the Year Emily Barto and starting setter Molley Scanlon.
"We will expect a lot from Emily and will work her at different positions on the court," Bahner said. "Being our setter, Molley will have a lot placed on her shoulders and will be counted on to run our team and our offense. She does everything we ask her to do and will provide leadership."
Danika Maggard and defensive specialist Shanna Seyfarth also return to the team. Seyfarth is the team's lone returning defensive player.
"Shanna will provide knowledge to the freshmen," Bahner said.
Last year's success helped Bahner in recruiting as she added nine freshmen and a junior college transfer to this year's team.
"Recruiting went really well, we have brought in 10 new players to provide competition at several positions," Bahner said. "Each of these girls has an opportunity to improve and fight for playing time."
Also new to the team is assistant coach Riann Mullis, who was an all-conference libero at Neosho County Community College before finishing her collegiate volleyball career at Pittsburg State University.
"Having played in the Jayhawk Conference Cowley was always the team to beat, so I like being on this side of the rivalry," Mullis said. "I am excited about the girls and their versatility and am ready to help the team grow throughout the season."
Having gone the past two years without an assistant coach on the staff, Bahner has welcomed Mullis with open arms.
"Riann has been great, she is another set of eyes for me and someone I trust," Bahner said. "She believes in the same things I believe in and will make our team better."
Mullis believes several of the freshmen on the squad will be able to make an immediate impact.
"Our incoming freshmen have a lot of versatility," Mullis said. "Who responds quicker and buys into our system will be key."
The Lady Tiger coaches see freshman outside hitter Georgina Perez from Guaynabo, Puerto Rico as being similar to former player Elena Berroteran.
"Georgina is very versatile as she can play in the front or back row and will bring a lot to our team," Mullis said.
Fellow freshman Martyna Gluchowicz from Poland is a left-handed, rightside hitter that will also be a nice addition to the team.
"We hope Martyna's power will help us fill the spot vacated by Roslandy," Bahner said.
Goda Jankauskaite is a sophomore transfer from Missouri West Plains, where she was the team's second leading point scorer as a freshman. At 6-2, she will provide a strong presence in the middle.
"She comes into our program with a year of college experience under her belt so she knows what it is like to be a student-athlete at the college level," Bahner said. "She has good size and blocking will be her biggest strength."
Other newcomers to the team are, Taylor Kean, SkyLeigh Bingham, Erin Lichter, Cathy Hafenstine, Bridget Paulk, and Sabetha Young.
As has been the case in recent years, Cowley has put together another challenging schedule.
"We like to schedule tournaments that feature top level teams to help prepare us for the district and national tournaments," Bahner said.
If the new players and returning players can learn to play together as a team, Cowley should continue to be one of the top squads in the nation.
"The competition we have for positions on the team should help make the girls better," Bahner said. "Our expectations are to win conference, host the district tournament and get back to nationals."