Coach Lynn Ray Boren shares thoughts as the season begins
WASHINGTON, DC—Head coach Lynn Ray Boren prepares to start
his third season at the helm of the Bison volleyball program. Coach
Boren is renown for his recruiting prowess, based on the building
of successful volleyball programs year in and year out.
Enter Katelyn Reese, a junior transfer from San Jose Community
College. The 5’9 middle hitter brings overall talent that can
cover any position, providing stability to the void left by
All-Americans Tamijo Foronda and Kristina Burke. Incoming freshmen
Nukeitra Hayes and Rachel Benedict, of the Indiana and Maryland
Schools for the Deaf, both also play into Boren’s offensive
set. Hayes stands 6’0 and will be a nice complement to
6’1 Ludmila Mounty-Weinstock, who returns for her third
season.
“I look at each year differently—this year we’ve
got more quality players, albeit a smaller squad. I had 16 last
year, 14 the year before. Now, I have 12, but I see a lot more
options this year. We can change our lineup a lot and still carry
the same effect. I’m looking forward to seeing these changes
happen,” Boren opined.
Chemistry is a vital component to any athletic team, and none more
so than for Gallaudet. Coming off its first-ever NCAA Sweet Sixteen
trip in 2006, the Bison will look to captains Shana Lehmann and
Krystle Berrigan to anchor a team that has only one senior
(Berrigan). Lehmann is expected to reprise her role as defensive
specialist, or libero, also adding the outside hitter position to
her repertoire. Berrigan has been a backup setter for the past
three seasons, learning from departed All-Conference setter Pia
Marie Paulone, and has shown tremendous confidence, poise and
consistency thus far, earning herself a co-captain slot.
The additions of Hayes and Reese will also contribute to
bolstering the middle front line, supporting Justine Jeter, Ursa
Rewolinski, and Mounty-Weinstock. These five players will
contribute to removing a thorn in Boren’s side, team
blocking. The veteran coach signed: “Last season, we
didn’t block as well as other teams in the nation, and I want
to build on that as an improvement.”
On the season, Coach Boren expressed enthusiasm at being invited
to the Juniata Tournament. “It feels good to have their
invitation, to play against a team, and teams of Juniata’s
caliber. Juniata was the #1 team last season, and this is sure to
give us great experiences and challenges for the rest of the
season.” Among a long list of matches, the Washington &
Lee tri-meet and Christopher Newport University invitations also
add to the litany of challenges the Bison will take on.
Within the conference, Boren has his eye on Salisbury, noting that
the Sea Gulls have only lost one player (setter Abbey Petrecca)
from last year’s squad. Gallaudet mastered a come-from-behind
victory in the conference tournament. “They’ve got six
players over 6’0 and a strong, aggressive serving offense. We
can’t overlook St. Mary’s either, especially with their
hungry attitude and smart hitting game.”
Boren will continue to play maestro with his offense, using a
talented cast to choreograph a winning season. Another factor to
look for—7 of the 12 players on the roster also are on the
United States National Deaf Volleyball Team, which practices
together in the off-season for the upcoming trip to Taiwan in 2009.
These players are coming into their own not only for their country,
but for Gallaudet pride as well, reasons worth overcoming
adversity.
