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Princeton University Athletics
Players Mentioned
Volleyball Looks Towards Talented Youth In Race For Princeton's 14th Ivy Title
August 31, 2006 | Women's Volleyball
The women's volleyball coaching staff of Glenn Nelson and Sabrina King has felt good about each of its last two recruiting classes. They know the future is bright for this proud Princeton program, but they're hopeful that the present could prove just as prolific.
With a potential starting lineup including six underclassmen, the 2006 Princeton women's volleyball team won't rely on experience. It can't gain anything from years of knowledge of its Ivy League rivals, and it won't be able to match the chemistry of the more experienced league teams.
All of that will come, but in 2006, Princeton will just have to rely on talent and depth. And there is plenty of both.
Defending Ivy League Rookie of the Year Parker Henritze will lead the charge into 2006, which features three early-season tournaments and a home opener against Juniata prior to the heart of the Ivy League schedule. The league is expected to be deep once again, as defending champion Cornell is one of numerous squads that could stake its claim to the title and the automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. Princeton will be one of those teams as well, but it knows it can't relax any night of the Ivy season. One bad loss almost always comes back to bite you.
And as Princeton teams have seen in the past, a few good wins, especially on the road, can go a long way in the race for a title.
Here is a look at the potential Tiger lineup:
OUTSIDE HITTER
Start with Henritze, who, barring injury, should be one of the premier players in the Ivy League for each of the next three years. She finished second in the league in kills and first in aces as a freshman, and her 2.79 digs per game last season was the best of any non-libero. She hits a hard, controlled ball that she can put down the line or cross-court, and she has already established herself as the go-to hitter in the big spots.
The second outside position could come down to freshman Sheena Donohue and sophomore Sasha Sadrai. Donohue led Archbishop Mitty to each of the last two California state championship matches. An all-tournament selection as a senior, Donohue is a gifted leaper who also hits a smart, controlled ball. Sadrai gained plenty of experience last season as the first sub at both outside and rightside. She averaged more than 2.3 kills per game and limited her errors. Either could prove to be a strong starter at outside, and both will also be in the mix for the libero position.
MIDDLE BLOCKER
After Henritze, the top Princeton freshman last season was Lindsay Ensign, who finished third in the league in attack percentage (.360) and averaged .66 blocks per game. She was a full-time starter last season and will be the most experienced middle (in terms of starts) on the Princeton roster. With more attack opportunities and more experience on defense, Ensign could become one of the most talented middles in the league.
Classmate Jessica Hoffmann gained more experience through the season, and with the graduation of Brittany Wood, she will compete for the second starting middle position. She was a strong defensive player, averaging .69 blocks per game, but will need to build on last year's .277 attack percentage. Hoffmann has the athleticism and versatility to play several other positions, including libero, so she will give the coaching staff several lineup options to work with as it builds a young lineup. Senior Bayley Dixon is another potential starter in the middle. She is both an emotional leader and a top-rate blocker, and she knows the Princeton system better than anybody. Freshman Kait Woznicki, a 6-3 freshman, was an all-district middle for Mt. St. Joseph in Maple Glen, Pa., and could also factor into the mix, although injuries have limited her preseason.
RIGHTSIDE
Sophomore Kelli Grobe and freshman Taylor Carroll are the two frontrunners for the starting job. Grobe was the early favorite to start last season, but her freshman year became a battle with injuries. Fully healthy now, she brings an athleticism to the right side, where she can hit from anywhere and also serve as a second setter. Carroll is taller (6-1) and can quick-set balls. She comes from Mater Dei high school, one of the premier California programs, and she was a first-team All-CIF selection as a senior.
SETTER
For the first time in four years, somebody other than Jenny Senske will be handling the role of setter. Sophomore Bailey Robinson, the younger sister of former men's standout Blake Robinson, was one of the most sought-after setters in the summer of 2005. She was injured all of last season, so this is basically her freshman campaign, but the coaching staff is confident in her abilities. She is a smart passer who can find the best option, and her ability to develop a quick chemistry with her hitters, especially Henritze, will go a long way in determining the success of the team.
LIBERO
Joanna Mandecki and Emily Turner are two potential starters at libero, as well as other of the afore-mentioned Tigers. Mandecki is the local product who has done well in relief spots over the last three years, while Turner is one of the most versatile players on the team and can start at three other positions on the team.
Other freshmen, including Rachel Cocalis and Halycon Person will also factor into the race for certain positions, but all will add to the overall depth of the squad. Yes, the team will be young, and yes, the future is bright for the program.
But this team believes it can win now.