The questions that surround the 2002 volleyball teams are many and perturbing. First and foremost is the current coaching vacancy (although it is thought that will soon be remedied.) Last year’s coach Derek Smith will not return and the absence of a head coach leaves the program in a slightly precarious position for the moment.
Second of all is the depth of players. The squad of last year was carried by a troupe of six skilled and dedicated women. The players played through pain and fatigue for much of the entire season, knowing that a substitute. With four of the players having graduated or completed their eligibility, once again there is a serious question about depth for the team.
The two players that have eligibility remaining are two good athletes: Lauren Chaves and Laurel Smith Chaves played middleback last season, providing strong support along the net for her teammates. Smith came into her own with superb net play and a killer arm that led the Little East Conference. Smith, however, was overlooked when it was time to hand out postseason accolades, as she made neither the first or second team conference all-stars.
The season was one of streaks last year. The team got off to a horrible start, losing their first nine games before they beat UMass Dartmouth. After two back-to-back losses to conference rivals Eastern Connecticut State and Rhode Island College, the Beacons went on three-game winning streak and then a six-game winning streak. The team never lost consecutive games for the rest of the season, going 14-5 after their 1-11 start.
The team made the Little East Conference championship as the fifth seed. The team was carrying a lot of momentum at the time and they were serious dark horses for a run at the title. However, the season came to an end as Plymouth State bounced them out of the tournament 3-1.
There are many unknown variables in the upcoming season, and there could be cause for concern. Yet, the program hopes to overcome these obstacles, like it has in the past, and put forth a competitive and talent-laden team.