2008 Woodie Awards
Optimistic in the Face of Defeat
Erika Rohrssen
Issue date: 10/13/04 Section: Sports
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The Jasper Women's Volleyball team suffered another overwhelming defeat on Sunday Oct. 3 against the University of Maryland- Baltimore County. While this game was the fourteenth loss this season for the Jaspers, their expectations are high and their spirits continue to be strong.
Both captains, Allison O'Neill and Helena Ward, are optimistic about their future games. "we have so much energy and heart. The team has so much potential, I can't see us losing in the future," said Ward.
Last year the Jaspers had a great season, finishing with a 21-14 record and 8-1 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). This allowed the team to win the MAAC Championship against the then number three-ranked school, St. Peter's. To add to this amazing accomplishment, the Jaspers qualified to enter the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tournament. Unfortunately, they lost in the first round to Peperdine University.
While the ladies lost three of their previous players due to graduation and their head coach to the rival Fordham volleyball team, this season, the girls have shown amazing stamina. According to Ward, "gaining the new head coach, Ray Green, is an extremely positive thing. He works really hard to teach us new things to help us improve our techniques." O'Neill agrees saying, "we are so happy to have coach Green here. He makes us look at many different aspects of the game, and improve the way we work together." Both captains expressed their gratitude to Athletic Director, Bob Byrnes, for finding the team such a wonderful coach. "We are so grateful to Mr. Byrnes, because it was such a challenge to find a new coach for us, and he did an amazing job," said O'Neill.
Green joined the team in July, after spending three seasons as the assistant women and men's volleyball coach at Rutgers-Newark. Last season he helped lead his women's team there to achieve a 25-9 record and the NJAC Championship.
While Green has taught the Jaspers many new ways in which to play the game better, the team is still struggling through this rebuilding season. "It's extremely frustrating, because we have so many talented players. Maggie Pfeifer is definitely our offensive leader. She works so hard not only on the court, but also off the court, to help build a bond with each of the other players. She really reaches the girls, and she helps us to be stronger as a team. We just need to work on our communication more when we are on the court," said Ward. O'Neill agrees saying, "we need to become more confident in ourselves as individuals and as a team, so we can eliminate the small errors that have been occurring."
Both captains, Allison O'Neill and Helena Ward, are optimistic about their future games. "we have so much energy and heart. The team has so much potential, I can't see us losing in the future," said Ward.
Last year the Jaspers had a great season, finishing with a 21-14 record and 8-1 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). This allowed the team to win the MAAC Championship against the then number three-ranked school, St. Peter's. To add to this amazing accomplishment, the Jaspers qualified to enter the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tournament. Unfortunately, they lost in the first round to Peperdine University.
While the ladies lost three of their previous players due to graduation and their head coach to the rival Fordham volleyball team, this season, the girls have shown amazing stamina. According to Ward, "gaining the new head coach, Ray Green, is an extremely positive thing. He works really hard to teach us new things to help us improve our techniques." O'Neill agrees saying, "we are so happy to have coach Green here. He makes us look at many different aspects of the game, and improve the way we work together." Both captains expressed their gratitude to Athletic Director, Bob Byrnes, for finding the team such a wonderful coach. "We are so grateful to Mr. Byrnes, because it was such a challenge to find a new coach for us, and he did an amazing job," said O'Neill.
Green joined the team in July, after spending three seasons as the assistant women and men's volleyball coach at Rutgers-Newark. Last season he helped lead his women's team there to achieve a 25-9 record and the NJAC Championship.
While Green has taught the Jaspers many new ways in which to play the game better, the team is still struggling through this rebuilding season. "It's extremely frustrating, because we have so many talented players. Maggie Pfeifer is definitely our offensive leader. She works so hard not only on the court, but also off the court, to help build a bond with each of the other players. She really reaches the girls, and she helps us to be stronger as a team. We just need to work on our communication more when we are on the court," said Ward. O'Neill agrees saying, "we need to become more confident in ourselves as individuals and as a team, so we can eliminate the small errors that have been occurring."