Simmons Volleyball is preparing for the 2010 season after a successful 2009 campaign. The Sharks ended last season with an appearance in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference Tournament, reaching the quarterfinals after a 13-15 season (7-5 GNAC), and tying the program record for most wins in a regular season (13). Led by fourth-year Head Coach Jason Conetta, the Sharks hope to solidify the program after three years of rapid growth, and finish in the top four of the GNAC tournament in 2010.
"This will be a memorable season for the Simmons Volleyball team," said Conetta. "I have witnessed the growth of this program from a group of individuals into a family. We have been building the foundation of this program for several years, and we aim to demonstrate our development on the court this fall."
The Sharks graduated just two athletes last fall—starting libero Jessica Hambleton and starting setter Amanda Weaver, and will return several impact players to lead the large freshmen class in 2010. Junior captains Meaghan Flynn (Laguna Beach, Calif.), Kate Fionte (Andover, Mass.) and senior captain Nicky Loring (Chester, N.H.) will lead the way on and off the court.
Flynn, an outside hitter, earned Second Team GNAC All Conference in 2009. She is known for her offensive attack, and has one of the most difficult serves to handle in the conference. Fionte, a starting outside hitter, was ranked second in kills on the team in 2009 (165). Conetta expects her two seasons of experience have prepared her to become one of the top offensive players in the GNAC over the next few years. Loring, on the Right Side, had her best season in 2009 as the only junior captain on the squad. Her determination and sacrifice on the court contributed to Simmons' hard-fought victories in the 2009 postseason.
Senior starting Middle Hitter Taylor Pederson (San Antonio, Texas) entered the 2009 season with an injury to her cornea, which had Pederson sidelined for the entire month of August and September. Upon her return in October, she helped lift the Sharks to a sixth place finish in the GNAC. Conetta expects Pederson to come back strong, and if she stays healthy, to not only finish her senior year successfully, but also become one of the most dominating middles for the Simmons program.
Junior Right Side Krista Evans (Killen, Ala.) has been one of the catalysts of the Simmons offense. This "Lefty Sensation" brings a whole different dynamic into the Sharks offensive schema. Evans has come up big in some very important games throughout her two seasons at Simmons, and is a force to be reckoned with on the right side in the GNAC.
Sophomore Kelly Last (West Haven, Conn.) was a true freshmen sensation in 2009. With her first year out of the way, Conetta's expectations for Last are high for her work in the Middle and the Right Side with Simmons' quick offense.
"This will be the strongest Simmons volleyball team in history," said Conetta. "With the help of current players, alumnae, friends, and family, we have built a Simmons Volleyball family. Their support and the players' effort will contribute to a great team experience this year."
The Sharks will open their season at WPI on Wednesday, September 1 at 7:00pm, and will host North Central College at home on Friday, September 3 at 3:00pm.
Meet the Freshmen!
Megan Chamberlin-- 5'8" RS/Setter
Megan Chamberlin was a three-year varsity player for the Milford High School Girls Volleyball team in Milford, Mass, and was also a four-year member of the Milford High School Girls Varsity Basketball Team, which she captained as a junior and senior. Chamberlin was also a member of National Honor Society, a Boston Globe Scholastic Art Award recipient, and played varsity lacrosse.
Her volleyball honors include 2009 team captain, 2009 Coaches Award, and 2007 Rookie of the Year. Chamberlin was also named to the Worcester Telegram and Gazette 2009 Super Team, the 2009 and 2008 Metro West Daily News All-Star Teams, and the 2009 and 2008 Mid-Wach League All-Star Teams. Chamberlin was a member of the 2007 Massachusetts Division 1 State Finalists team, and in 2008 defeated Westboro to win the 2008 Mid Wach League Championship.
Nafeesa Connolly – 5'9" OH
Nafeesa was a four-year volleyball athlete for Natick High School. She was a team captain as a junior and senior, and was named a Bay State first league All-star and most valuable player as a senior. Connolly served on the executive board for the Class of 2010, ELNA, SADD, earth club, and the French club.
Connolly's most memorable experience on the court was her senior night game against Natick's rival, Wellesley. "Everything about that day seemed to be amazing. On the court, I had a personal best of 13 kills, and could feel positive energy from all my teammates and co-captains. My coach was very proud of me," she said.
Rossi Fish - 5'11" MH
Rossi Fish is a middle hitter from Bishop Feehan High School, and also played for the JO Club Metrowest Volleyball Team. As a senior, she was a co-captain and named an EAC All-Star and a Sun Chronicle All-Star. Fish was also a member of the Science Honor Society and the National Honors Society.
Her favorite game of the season was her team's Breast Cancer Awareness Match. They packed the gym with hundreds of fans, all wearing pink. "I was really proud that our team was able to raise awareness and money for such a great cause."
Sandy Lor – 5'2" Libero/ DS
Sandy Lor hails from Fitchburg High School's volleyball team as a four-year athlete, and graduated as the starting setter. She received the team MVP award three years in a row, beginning her sophomore year, and served as a team captain as a junior and senior. Lor was in the top 10 percent of her class at Fitchburg.
"This past spring, I was chosen to be a Coca Cola Scholar and was flown to Atlanta, Georgia, which was amazing. I have a passion for the arts and I also have a love for the studies of science. On my free time I paint, write, and play volleyball."