2007 WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL SEASON IN REVIEW
Jan. 10, 2008
After winning three-straight conference titles (2004, 2005, 2006), the 2007 season was a rebuilding one for the Saints. His year marked Head Coach Denitra Seals' first season at the helm. Seals was faced with leading a squad which had lost three major contributors to graduation after the 2006 championship run. The 2007 Emmanuel team wrapped up the year with an overall record of 10-22 and a 7-6 conference mark.
The Saints participated in three very competitive tournaments, including the Endicott, MIT, and Bowdoin/Bates Invitationals. Highlights of the 2007 season included big wins over Keuka College (3-2), Eastern Nazarene College (3-2), and Wentworth Institute of Technology (3-1). The Saints also defeated seven GNAC rivals in straight sets. The wins included victories over Suffolk, Pine Manor, Saint Joseph (CT), Simmons, Daniel Webster, Saint Joseph's (ME), and Albertus Magnus.
Outside hitter Lindsey Parker (New Bedford, MA) posted a solid junior season with the program. Parker led Emmanuel with 377 kills (3.52 per game) and 307 digs (2.87 per game). On October 20th, in a 3-0 win over Daniel Webster College, Parker eclipsed the 1,000-kill plateau. In doing so, she became just the second player in program history to reach this milestone. Parker also received 2nd Team All-Conference honors this season.
Junior libero Amanda Machado (Swansea, MA) anchored the Saints' back row. Machado's defense accounted for a team-high 457 digs, good enough for 4.39 per game. On October 27th, in a 309 win over Saint Joseph's College (ME), Machado recorded her 1,000th career dig. She is just the second player in program history to achieve this milestone. Machado earned 3rd Team All-Conference honors for the 2007 season.
Emmanuel's senior tri-captains showed tremendous leadership throughout the 2007 season. Middle-hitter Meagan McGivern (Merrimack, NH) played in a team-high 107 games and tallied 101 kills and 111 blocks (62 solo and 49 assisted). Middle-hitter Ashley O'Neill (Tyngsboro, MA) totaled 65 blocks and 50 kills. Senior Jen Walsh (West Springfield, MA) shared time as the team's setter. Walsh dished out 262 assists, while accounting for 159 digs.
Sophomore Diana Grimaldi (Sandy Hook, CT) was charged with learning a new position. Grimaldi faired well as one of the squad's setters, dishing out 336 assists, while also smacking down 75 kills. Newcomers, Megan Clary (Cumberland, RI) and Megan Murray (Killingworth, CT) stepped in right away and played big minutes for the Saints. Together, the rookies combined for 207 kills, 342 digs, and 32 blocks.
Head Coach Denitra Seals and Assistant Coach Brian Klementisz will return 10 veterans for the 2008 season. They will look to add a solid group of freshmen to the program for the upcoming year.