Felician Athletics - 8/22/07 VOLLEYBALL - 2007 Outlook: Clements Upbeat Despite Program History

Shortly after accepting the position of Felician College’s volleyball coach this spring, Alan Clements became apprised of the program’s brief history. Despite now being well aware that the Golden Falcons have a 3-69 record in three years, Clements sees no reason for the losing trend to continue.

“To me we look pretty good, and I want the players to mentally believe that we’re better,” said Clements, who came to Felician after a season at Bergen Community College. “I’ve asked the girls for their initial trust until I can prove to them that I deserve it, and so far they’ve done everything I have asked of them.”

The Golden Falcons return five of six starters from last year’s 2-17 campaign, and Clements knows his veteran squad will not take overly bold proclamations from a new coach very seriously. But he still intends to express his confidence in his players at every opportunity.

“There is talent here,” Clements said. “I don’t want to overwhelm them, so I simply tell them that we need to win or be competitive in every game. We have to try to stop those games where we score less than 20 points. But unless the (CACC) is much better than I think, and with the increased depth we have over what they had last year, I don’t see why we can’t go .500 in the league.”

SETTER: Incumbent Nicole Degenhardt (54 GP, 5.61 apg in 2006) has been impressive in preseason workouts. “She gets to just about every ball,” Clements said, “and her knowledge of the setting position for a sophomore is outstanding. I’m excited to work with her for three years.”
Freshman Amber Doran is the back-up, but she is expected to see time in all rotations.

OUTSIDE/OPPOSITE: The only open starting position on the Golden Falcons was nabbed by surprising first-year senior outside hitter Dee Dee Smith, a scholarship basketball player at Felician. “Dee Dee has tremendous leaping ability,” Clements said. “She can be as good as she wants to be in this sport.” Doran is also an option.

Senior Keisha Milstrey (54 GP, 4.13 kpg, 2.19 dpg, 0.89 bpg) was among the CACC’s kill leaders last season after transferring from Monroe College. Felician’s depth on defense will allow her to be a full-time opposite hitter this season after spending time at middle and outside in 2006.

MIDDLE: This is easily the Golden Falcons’ most experienced unit, as they send out fourth-year starter Ashley Patterson (50 GP, 0.80 bpg, 1.40 dpg) and third-year starter Laura Peskosky (54 GP, 2.56 kpg, 2.61 dpg) as middle hitters. Peskosky is expected to play all around, while Patterson will likely be limited to the front row.

BACK ROW/LIBERO: Senior Nicole Niedzwicki (54 GP, 2.91 dpg), along with Patterson the only holdovers from the inaugural 2004 team, made a seamless transition to defensive specialist a season ago after two years as the No. 1 setter. She could begin her senior campaign as a libero while the incoming freshmen are given time to develop. Redshirt freshman Erica Moore should see regular back row time, while freshmen Sam Ament and Leanne Sleboda provide depth.