The women's volleyball team finished with a 20-11 record despite playing against stringent competition in 2003. This season, the Jumbos are looking to take the next step and win the NESCAC crown.
Head coach Cora Thompson hopes a strong freshman class will combine with an already talented veteran core to produce strong 2004 season.
"In 2003, we had a very good season," Thompson said. "Two of our seniors got injured, and the freshmen, juniors, and sophomores stepped up and got a lot of experience. I think that experience will help us a lot this year and I'm very excited about it."
Along with the returning players, the team boasts a strong cast of five freshmen who will begin to contribute right away.
"This is definitely one of the strongest freshmen classes in a long time," Thompson said. "They are very versatile, and they are actually the tallest part of our team."
Freshman Katie Wysham is expected to backup the middle hitter position and, at the team-high of 6 feet 1 inch, is a player Thompson describes as having a bright future with the team. Newcomers Cecilia Allende and Kay Lutostanski are both six feet tall as well. Both should pick up some valuable experience this season and are expected to play somewhere in the front three spots to utilize their quickness.
Megan Tunstill is another tall freshman (5 feet 11 inches) who will likely see time as a setter. Tunstill's decision to come to Tufts was a coup for the program.
"Megan is a very skilled setter; she was sought after by a number of other NESCAC schools," Thompson said. "She's ultra-competitive, a strong hitter, and she should play a huge role."
Senior co-captain Emily Macy is excited about the new additions to the team as well as about the squad's chances this season.
"The freshmen have a lot of potential and a lot of height," Macy said. "We've only been practicing for about a week, but we're starting to gel already."
Macy is one of the top defensive players in the NESCAC and should continue her strong play this season primarily as a libero. She is also looking forward to her leadership responsibilities.
"My job is to focus on leading the team vocally on the court," Macy said. "I've tried to do that in the past, but I'm going to put extra emphasis on that this season."
Fellow senior co-captain Alison Sauer will play outside hitter and likely continue to be a force for the Jumbos. Sauer posted 260 kills along with 33 aces in 2003.
"Alison was the rock of the team last year," Thompson said. "Both captains have already done a tremendous job on and off the court."
Sophomore Kelli Harrison, an outside hitter, is looking to build on her freshman season in which she led the team in kills with 413 and tied for second on the team with 36 aces.
"Kelli was the standout freshman in 2003," Thompson said. "She's really made a great contribution."
Junior Courtney Evans will also be back after a 2003 season in which she was selected as an All-American Honorable Mention and was also named to the All-New England First Team.
Along with the freshmen, new assistant coach Lauren Knight joins the squad this year. Knight was a star at the University of New Hampshire, where she played Div. I volleyball and graduated in 2003. Knight's volleyball knowledge and recent experience as a player will help the Jumbos enhance their skills. Knight will also practice with the team, a tactic that should help sharpen everyone's game.
"Coach Knight has already done a lot to help us," Macy said. "It certainly is very beneficial to be able to practice with someone that talented."
Thompson, who has accumulated a successful record in her own right, is happy to have Knight aboard.
"She's an excellent communicator and very competitive. She also buys into the winning tradition we're starting here at Tufts which I think is very important," Thompson said.
In order to be successful in 2004, the Jumbos need to stay healthy and continue to play the tight defense exemplified by the 2003 team. They should also utilize their depth and versatility in experimenting with different formations such as the 5-1 and 6-2.
"Some of the best things about this team are that everyone can play multiple positions, and anyone on our bench can step in at any time and give us a boost," Thompson said. "Time will tell as to what our final lineup will be, but we have so many options and we can adjust from team to team, which I think is a huge advantage."
Despite their talent and depth, the Jumbos know they have a long road to the NESCAC title. Williams and Amherst are probably the two toughest of the many teams they will have to defeat to garner the top league ranking. The NESCAC is considered the best volleyball conference in all of New England. Tufts will play all ten of the top ranked teams in New England over the course of the season, and are hoping to have enough success to net a NESCAC championship and an NCAA berth.
The season will begin on Sept. 11th when the Jumbos compete at the Coast Guard Invitational Tournament against the Coast Guard Academy, Rhode Island College, and Eastern Connecticut State University. Tufts has won three out of the last four Coast Guard Tournaments.
