2009 St. Olaf volleyball preview

Mike Ludwig
August 31, 2009

NORTHFIELD, Minn. - The St. Olaf volleyball team enters 2009 with a balanced roster stocked with quality returners and three first year attackers that head coach Cindy Book, in her 17th season leading the Oles, hopes can lead her team to the NCAA's.

Book eclipsed 600 career wins in the Oles' 21-12 2008 season and the team's 2009 roster brings back two juniors -- setter Kelly Prunty and outside hitter Kim Smisek -- that could lead the squad to another 20-win campaign. Prunty was one of the Oles' two All-MIAC honorees, with the graduated Jess Levin, after finishing third in the MIAC in set assists.

One of Prunty's main recipient's has been, and will be, Smisek. The 6-1 Smisek was All-MIAC as a first year and was second in the league in kills last year (461). She was one of the steadiest hitters in the conference collecting at least 10 kills in all but six matches and had at least 20 five times.

First year Katie Wolfram (Woodinville, Wash./Bear Creek), a two-time all-state pick, will play the other outside spot. Francis Xin, who was solid when she played during an injury-plagued first season, could play outside if needed. Xin will start the season playing defensive specialist.

Aside from Xin, seniors Alyssa Williams and Janet Sully and sophomores Katie McDonald and Kristin Boyum will compete for defensive specialist spots. Williams was the team's primary libero in 2008 and has led the team in digs in each of the last three seasons. Her 537 last year rank ninth all-time. Sully has spent time as the team's libero in her career and had 261 digs last season. McDonald played in 26 matches as a serving specialist while Boyum saw action in 19 matches.

Senior Paige Olson will return to the middle this fall. Olson his a career-best .211 last season and has experience on her side (81 matches, 313 games in three seasons). With the departure of Levin, first year Maddy Kreykes (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer) will get the opportunity to play early and often at the other middle spot.

The right side will likely be patrolled by first year Melissa Burch (Lawrence, Kan./Free State), an all-area selection as a high school senior. Alise Carlson will also compete for time in the middle and right.

The team also brings back reserve setter Anna Meneely, who appeared in five matches in her first season last fall.

The Oles open the season with a non-conference game at MIAC foe Gustavus Adolphus College on Sept. 1 before playing in a pair of tournaments on Sept. 4-5 and Sept. 11-12. St. Olaf opens the MIAC schedule on Sept. 16 with a home match against defending MIAC champion St. Thomas.

Contact media relations specialist Mike Ludwig at (507) 786-3834 or ludwigm@stolaf.edu.