Last year, the Beacons had a fantastic fall season. Volleyball reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament, Men’s Soccer made major leaps from their 2012 campaign, and Women’s Soccer had one of the best regular seasons in program history, before a heartbreaking loss in the first round of their conference tournament. The 2014 year looks promising for fall sports, here are previews for each of the fall teams:
Volleyball
The Beacons hope to continue their run of dominance in the Little East Conference, seeking their sixth straight championship. Hitter Kirsten Morrison, the only returning senior, will look to add on to her success last season after posting 248 kills, the third highest amount on the team, and being named to the All-Little East Conference Second Team. Sophomore hitter, Julia Murphy, also returns after winning last year’s LEC Co-Player of the Year and posting a conference-leading .298 hitting percentage. Reigning Defensive Player of the Year, sophomore Elizabeth Glavan, also returns to the Beacons this fall. Three freshmen join the team in setter, Jillian Brown, hitter, Janae Ballard, and defensive specialist/libero, Breana Kemp. The team, ranked 22nd nationally, was recently selected by the LEC coaches poll to win the conference championship, securing six of a possible seven first place votes.
Women’s Tennis
After a disappointing season last year, the women’s tennis team looks to bounce back this fall. Junior Logan Smith returns to the team hoping to build off of her 7-6 record in doubles last season, including a record of 2-0 at number two doubles. Senior Stephanie McKenna has transferred from Holyoke Community College and will be on the roster this season. Freshmen Martina Daelli and Kristy Garcia join the team this season in hopes of improving on last year’s 6-13 record. The team was recently picked to finish sixth and return to the Little East Conference tournament in this season’s LEC Coaches Preseason Poll.
Women’s Soccer
The Beacons enter this season hoping to capture their third straight LEC Regular Season Championship after finishing 15-5 last season. Junior goalkeeper Kristen Spain returns this season after posting a 14-5 record in her nineteen appearances last year. Spain was named to the ECAC New England All Region Second Team and All-Conference First Team after her performance last season. Senior Krista Ledin also returns to the Beacons this season after leading the team in goals (with thirty-two), including eight game-winners. They earned two of a possible six first place votes in the Little East Conference Coaches’ Preseason Poll, which has the Beacons picked to finish second behind the reigning LEC Tournament Champion Keene State Owls.
Men’s Soccer
The men’s soccer team returns to the pitch this fall in hopes of building off of their 11-7-1 record in the 2013 season. Coach Jake Beverlin returns for his second season behind the bench with the Beacons. LEC Rookie of the Year, Edmilson Barros, returns for his sophomore season after netting twelve goals in his first collegiate campaign. Senior Marcus Pizzetti also returns after tallying twelve goals and six assists last season, leading the team with thirty points. The Little East Conference Coaches’ Preseason Poll has the Beacons slated to finish third in the conference, the first top-three ranking the team has had since 2000.
Beacon Previews: Fall 2014
August 28, 2014