Every skyscraper needs its strong foundation. Every Redwood tree needs its giant root system. And every team needs its great coach. Great coaching is the backbone of the women’s volleyball team at UMass Boston, as 2006 Little East Conference Coach of the Year Terry Condon looks to improve on last year’s 18-12 overall record and make it to the LEC Tournament in 2007.

Players to Watch: Two athletes to keep an eye on are Emily Thompson, a first year libero, volleyball jargon for a defensive specialist, and the reigning Little East Rookie of the Year in 2006, Kate White. Thompson, because of her height, has been spending time in the opposite hitter position in practice. This pre-season, assistant coach Ken McNeeley likes what he sees: “[Thompson’s] progress has been astounding and we look forward to what she can accomplish.” The coaching staff already knows what Kate White can accomplish as she led the Beacons in kills with 305 last year, and was seventh overall in the conference.

The Leaders: When choosing the captains of their 2007 squad, the coaching staff made an interesting choice: they allowed the team to vote on it. “[We wanted] to ensure that we had the girls who were most respected by the team,” McNeeley said. The three captains are junior Randle Stock, senior Denise Hill, and senior Alessandra Adamo. “All three girls are perfect examples of hard work and determination to make a growing team even better,” McNeeley added.

Expectations: Since last year’s overall record was six games over .500, the biggest area of improvement for these Beacons is within the conference, an area where they held a 2-5 record. That 2-5 record left them in seventh place and out of a tournament spot in 2006. “We are looking to compete and [make] a run at the top of the conference,” McNeeley said. Expectations should be high for a team who competed well last year and has added more strength to their team.

Why Go? McNeeley makes it plain and simple: “It’s a great chance to see a fast-paced game.” Aside from the game itself, you also have a chance to see one of the brightest volleyball minds in all of America in Condon. In 1974 and 1975, she won national championships with the UCLA Bruins and in 1992 had her number retired by the Bruins.