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	Women's Volleyball

2007 Season Review
Young Cyclone team serves up successful season

When the women's volleyball season began, head coach Gloria Coughlin thought it would be difficult for her young team to match the undefeated conference record it had seen the last two seasons. The Cyclones nearly pulled off the feat, however, dropping only three of 12 conference games (31-14 overall) and making it through the playoff round of the Region IV Tournament.

"These girls did an excellent job of finding their identity as a team," Coughlin said. "I knew we could put a lot of individual talent on the court, but their cohesion was key in their success this season."

Having graduated four all-conference players last year, including National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA)All-American Natalie Wigginton, the Cyclones returned only four second-year players to the court.  Veterans Kaitlin Fischer (Marian Catholic), Kaitlyn Clemens (Oak Lawn), Meghan Hughes (Oak Lawn) and Maribeth Evans (Mother McAuley) gave the team a solid foundation, and allowed for the development of several talented first-year players, including Marina Uher (Maria), Emily Seidelmann and Christie Leahy (both of Queen of Peace), and Julie Tracy and  Danielle "Yellie" Synowiecki (both of Oak Lawn). Synowiecki followed the steps of her older sister Jessie (2004-05), who also played at the outside hitter position.

Receiving post-season recognition this year were first-team All-Region IV and Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference first-team selections Fischer and Uher, along with second-team conference selections Clemens and Hughes.  Clemens, Fischer, Hughes, and Tracy all were named to the conference's All-Tournament team, and Fischer was named to the Region IV All-Tournament team. Uher also was named the National Junior College Athletic Association's Setter of the Week October 15 for Division II Volleyball, while Fischer was named NJCAA Division II volleyball Co-Hitter of the Week on October 8.

2007 Season Preview
Volleyball team eager to gain experience, challenge conference foes

The Moraine Valley's 2007 women's volleyball season will be inspired by team growth and development.  Having graduated four all-conference players, including 2007 NJCAA All-American Natalie Wigginton, the Cyclones return only two starters to the court.

Veteran Kaitlin Fischer (Marian Catholic) will move to a new position on the left side where she will have more opportunities to score points using her outside attack options.  Kaitlyn Clemens (Oak Lawn) also returns as the middle attacker/blocker, a position in which she'll need to show a strong presence to stop or deflect the opponents' offensive strikes, said head coach Gloria Coughlin.

Meghan Hughes (Oak Lawn) will return to the team, assuming the role of "Libero," whose "free" appearance on the court leads the defensive effort as well as the passing of each opponent's serve. Rounding out the second-year players is Maribeth Evans (Mother McAuley), an experienced, versatile defensive player and serving specialist.

The team's growth and development will depend on the play of several talented freshmen, including new setter Marina Uher (Maria)—one of few players with club volleyball experience. Coughlin believes Uher will quickly learn what she calls the "quarterback" position, helping the Cyclones to run an offensive system quite different from her previous experiences as a defensive player.  Joining Uher on the right side of the court will be Julie Tracy (Oak Lawn), who brings a new look to the Cyclones as a left-handed attacker.  Coughlin expects Tracy will be vital as a front court attacker, as well as an offensive threat in the back court.

Another new face on the roster is Danielle "Yellie" Synowiecki (Oak Lawn), who comes in as a left side attacker.  Synowiecki follows her older sister, Jessie (2004-05) in the same position and is expected to assist the team with a strong defensive performance.  Rounding out the newcomers are Emily Seidelmann (Queen of Peace) and Bianca Cuoto (Brazil), who are both being trained as middle attackers/blockers; and Christie Leahy (Queen of Peace), a defensive and serving specialist who brings great energy and a contagious team attitude.

"While it will be difficult to repeat the success of the last two seasons, in which we went undefeated in conference play, we plan to build upon our strengths as a ball control team and be able to challenge all of our conference opponents," Coughlin said.

"There's a lot of talent on our court, and we'll be able to present a challenge to any opponent as these players begin to find their identity as a team."