Lehigh University Athletics
Mix of experience and young talent to lead Lehigh
8/16/2006 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
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After winning just two matches in 2004, the 2005 was a season of improvement for the Lehigh volleyball program. The Mountain Hawks, bolstered by a late-season run after being tested by a challenging early season schedule, posted a five-win improvement over the previous year while suffering several heartbreaking losses that could have improved that number along the way.
Head coach Amanda Moran enters her third season at the helm, looking to rebuild the proud tradition of a program that has qualified for the Patriot League Tournament in 14 of the last 16 seasons. Lehigh returns six players, who will be joined by a talented group of nine freshmen, many of whom will be called upon to contribute right away. Behind the leadership of senior tri-captains Michelle Schwendenmann, Cassidy Maumus and Courtney Cherry, expectations are high for the Mountain Hawks in 2006.
“Our three captains have been the most outstanding leaders of this team since I’ve been here,” explained Moran. “The players are really excited and are communicating well with each other as they prepare for the coming season.”
With the new additions, Lehigh has the most depth the program has had in quite some time.
“Last year we had high expectations after the spring season, but it did not really translate into the fall,” said Moran. “This year, we brought in so many players that the level of competition will increase both amongst ourselves and against our opponents.”
Lehigh’s biggest weapon offensively is senior outside hitter Schwendenmann. A second team all-league selection as a junior, Schwendenmann racked up 362 kills a year ago, good for fifth in the Patriot League, despite being the focal point of opposing defenses. Schwendenmann spent the spring season improving her defense and could blossom into one of the best all-around performers in the Patriot League.
“Michelle spent the spring completing her all-around game,” said Moran. “We’ve worked with her to make her a force on both the offensive and defensive side and she has a great opportunity to be one of the top players in the league.”
Cherry is expected to play a role on the outside as well. After transferring to Lehigh prior to last season, Cherry appeared in 57 games for the Mountain Hawks and this year will be counted upon to fill a utility role, as she may see time as a setter or defensive specialist in addition to her play on the outside.
Three freshmen also figure to be in the mix on the outside. Lindsay Brown, Mo McReynolds and Brittany Thurston are all expected to step in immediately and compete for playing time.
On the right side, sophomore Cindy Eakin will look to regain form after having her freshman season cut-short by an injury. A lefty hitter from
“We have a lot of newcomers on the outside,” notes Moran. “We will give all the girls the opportunity to contribute and we will see who steps up to help us at the outside hitter position.”
Having size in the middle is essential in Division I volleyball, and Moran now has four middle blockers at her disposal, as she looks for the position to be a strength of the Mountain Hawks in 2006. Junior Shannon Spafford is the returning starter at the position, and after missing most of her freshman year with an injury Spafford contributed an impressive sophomore campaign, with 207 kills and 54 total blocks, including a team-leading 13 solo blocks.
Three talented freshmen will battle for court time in the middle as well. Six-footers Suzee Richter from Minnesota and Morgan Molnar from Connecticut both had accomplished high school careers and will get a chance to step in immediately and contribute.
Two freshmen are expecting to share the setting duties for the Brown and White in 2006.
“Both Sarah and Kelly are good players from good high school and club teams,” said Moran. “They’re both skilled at running different styles of offense and should help us immediately.”
Defensively, Lehigh returns one of the top liberos in the Patriot League in senior tri-captain Cassidy Maumus. One of two Mountain Hawks to play in every game in 2005, Maumus set a school single-season record by averaging 4.25 kills per game last year. The team’s vocal on-court leader, Maumus will be counted upon for more of the same in her senior year.
Once again, Moran has loaded the schedule with tough early-season tournaments to prepare the Mountain Hawks for the rigors of Patriot League play. Lehigh will play in tournaments hosted by national powers
“We will be playing in some very tough tournaments,” Moran acknowledges. “The girls are looking forward to it and they know the only thing that matters is how they do within the Patriot League. The best way to prepare for that is by playing bigger and better teams and hopefully that will make us mentally stronger and tougher once we get to league play.”
The Patriot League will once again prove to be a highly competitive league. Although American has been the dominant team since joining the league others appear to be closing the gap.
“There are some very good teams in the league, from top to bottom,” said Moran. “I think some schools were surprised by the number of girls we brought in, but we will be competitive. Even though we’re rebuilding, you never know how things are going to turn out.”
Lehigh opens the 2006 season on Friday August 25, at the Temple University Classic where the Mountain Hawks will face the host
