2010 Schedule / 2010 Roster / 2010 Media Guide

WILKES-BARRE - The Wilkes University volleyball team is coming off a season that saw them go 16-12, 4-3 in conference play, and earn the fourth seed in the Freedom Conference tournament. This year's team will try and duplicate that success by utilizing experience mixed with first-year players. 

The Lady Colonels will embark upon its 2010 season without graduated seniors LeeAnn Searfoss (Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty) and Julie Page (New Milford, Pa./Blue Ridge). Page finished last year with 165 kills, 205 digs, 23 service aces and 20 total blocks. Searfoss had an outstanding season as the teams setting, passing out 883 assists while digging 235 balls and recording 34 service aces. For her efforts she earned second team all-conference honors. 

“As a coach, you never really replace any of your players,” said head coach Lisa Rizzo, who tied the record for the most wins in a season in her first year at Wilkes. “You encourage players to step up and fill the void that was created when your seniors graduate.” 

One player who will be asked upon to step up is senior Marissa Harrison (Shavertown, Lake-Lehman), who was selected first team All-Freedom Conference for the second consecutive season last year. Harrison broke the school record for kills in a season with 402, while recording 44 service aces and 273 digs. In conference play she had 116 kills, the highest in the conference. 

Helping out Harrison at the net will be juniors Kate McGurk (Swarthmore, Ridley) and Emily DeBuck (Pine Island, NY, Warwick Valley). McGurk acted as a utility player for Wilkes last season, recording 200 kills, 279 digs and 31 service aces. DeBuck had a great year at the net, killing 180 balls while leading the team in blocks with 70. 

Defensively, the Lady Colonels return arguably the best libero in school history in senior Allison Kelleher (Sayre, Athens Area). Kelleher broke the Wilkes record for digs in a career as well as a season last year, recording 512, which gave her 1402 on her career. She also had 17 service aces while appearing in 27 matches. Senior Meaghan Williams (Hamlin, Western Wayne) gives the Lady Colonels another option around the net, as she recorded 81 kills and 43 blocks while patrolling in the front row last season. 

“I'm expecting seniors Marissa Harrison (Shavertown/Lake-Lehman), Meaghan Williams (Hamlin/Western Wayne), and Allison Kelleher to be ready to lead the team to the playoffs again,” said Rizzo. “And record-breakers Marissa and Allison are expected to continue to put up big numbers in kills and digs, respectively.” 

Wilkes also has seven newcomers who will mix in with the upperclassmen and complete for playing time. 

“I anticipate that the newcomers to the team will find their fit early on in the season,” said Rizzo. “They will help increase the versatility and value of the team by providing new ideas and depth that can give us the right mix of talent. It will be beneficial to have a bigger squad this year.” 

As far as expectations coach Rizzo has for her team, it all revolves around improvement. 

“Included in our team goals are making the playoffs again this year and working towards getting the extra win to get closer to the NCAA's,” said Rizzo. “We are always working to improve individually, as well as improve as a team.” 

The Lady Colonels will kick off their season against the University of Scranton at home on Wednesday, Sept. 1 at 7:00 p.m.