Veteran Presence Creating Enthusiasm, Excitement As Volleyball Ready And Set For Ratches' Ninth Season
A solid veteran presence is creating enthusiasm and excitement for the Massachusetts Maritime volleyball team heading into the 2012 season, as Head Coach Chris Ratches welcomes back eight letterwinners and four starters for her ninth overall campaign at her alma mater. The Buccaneers will look to that experience in tackling a 28-match regular season slate that includes six contests in the always-rugged MASCAC.
Ratches, a former two-sport standout at the Academy back in the early ‘90’s, knows that leadership in the staple for success, and she will look to her lone senior to set the tone for her squad, tabbing Alex Burgess-Chrost (Leominster, Mass./Leominster) as Massachusetts Maritime’s captain this fall. Ratches says that Burgess-Chrost “has displayed a tireless work ethic and commitment in helping to build the program, and she has instilled those same values in her teammates.”
Here’s a look at how things are shaping up for the 2012 edition of Buccaneer Volleyball:
HITTER. Burgess-Chrost leads the way at the outside and middle spots, as she recorded a team-leading 62 kills to go with 101 digs and 18 service aces in 2011. Sophomore Meghan Weir (North Andover, Mass./North Andover) added 15 kills and 55 digs during her rookie campaign a year ago, while junior Ashley Button (Southfield, Mass./Mount Everett) collected 12 kills and 47 digs in 25 contests. Sophomores Alexandra Chrsyovergis (Sharon, Mass./Sharon) and Jessie Goodhue (Hyde Park, Mass./Dedham) lend additional experience after combining for 17 match appearances last fall, while freshman Emily Calnan (Hingham, Mass./Hingham) looks to contribute to her inaugural season from the middle position.
SETTER. Sophomore Deb Langley (Abington, Mass./South Shore Voke) returns to the setter position after registering 116 set assists to go with 95 digs, a team-leading 23 service aces and 22 kills as a newcomer. Freshman Kelsey Black (Plympton, Mass./Silver Lake) will also be vying for a setting role and will also see time as a defensive specialist for Massachusetts Maritime in 2012.
DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST/LIBERO. Junior Michaela Garrity (Tiverton, R.I./St. Mary Academy – Bay View) brings great experience on the defensive side for the Buccaneers, as she notched a team-best 123 digs last fall. Sophomore Lauren O’Shaughnessy (Yarmouthport, Mass./Dennis-Yarmouth) returns after posting 27 digs in 20 contests as a rookie, while junior Melanie Holder (Calidonio, Panama/Colegio Javier) is back with the Bucs after a year’s hiatus. Freshman Marissa Boudreau (New Bedford, Mass./New Bedford) will be looking for a role during her first collegiate season as both a defensive specialist and opposite side hitter.
SCHEDULE. Ratches’ crew will play 12 matches in the friendly confines of the Clean Harbors Athletic Center in 2012, including the Third Annual Maritime Classic on September 15-16 when Massachusetts Maritime welcomes sister schools Maine Maritime, SUNY-Maritime and Merchant Marine to Cape Cod. The Buccaneers will also host Bridgewater State, MCLA and Worcester State in league play while also entertaining Anna Maria, Simmons, Pine Manor, Becker, Castleton and Albertus Magnus.
Massachusetts Maritime begins the 2012 campaign on Thursday, September 6th when the Buccaneers host Anna Maria at the Clean Harbors Athletic Center beginning at 7:00 p.m. EDT.
