The 2011 season looks to be one of the best in program history for the Lasell College women's volleyball team with a slew of experienced veterans and the fresh talents of new recruits to bring the Lasers squad to the next level.
The women's volleyball team finished off the 2010 season with a 12-18 overall record as well as a 6-6 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) slate. After a three-game skid to open up the early part of the season, Lasell came back to defeat Lesley University and Newbury College in back-to-back matches to turn the season around. The Lasers went on to produce a four-game winning streak midway through the season with conference victories over Pine Manor, Mount Ida, and Albertus Magnus, along with a non-conference sweep of Rhode Island College.
Lasell also closed the regular season with three successive triumphs over Simmons, Saint Joseph College of Connecticut, and Lesley University. Head Coach Mary Tom, who enters her 15th year with the Lasers, picked up her 200th career win during the 3-0 sweep of Saint Joseph College of Connecticut on October 23rd. The season ultimately came to an end for the Lasers on November 2nd in the first round of the GNAC Tournament when they were pitted against the 2nd seeded Raiders of Rivier College, falling in three straight sets.
Lasell was led in 2010 by the outstanding play of GNAC All-Conference honoree Danielle Drapeau (Biddeford, ME). Drapeau started in all 111 sets and 30 matches for Lasell, accumulating 311 kills, 89 blocks, and 102 digs. The veteran middle hitter averaged 2.80 kills per game over the course of the year.
Senior setter Meghan Crozier (Ballston Spa, NY) also provided impressive leadership and performances during the 2010 campaign. She recorded her 2,000th career assist against Simmons College on October 23rd and finished the season averaging 7.38 assists per game. She also led the team in service aces, chalking up 44 points on her serve, and was third on the team in digs with 237 total, averaging 2.14 per set.
In addition, Drapeau, Crozier, and Eileen Barrett (Ludlow, MA) will all take on the reigns as team captains for the 2011 campaign. Barrett and Jenna-Lynn Geary (Marion, MA) will also be playing in their final season with the Blue & White. Both have been major contributors to the program for the past three years and will continue to flourish this year. Sara Biondo (Coventry, RI) will also be looked to in the 2011 season after a strong rookie year.
There will be five new faces on the squad this year that will add to the Lasers success. Two of these new first year athletes include Anna Feeter (Peterborough, NH) who enters the ranks as a New Hampshire All-Star setter and defensive specialist, and Stella Edwards (Quincy, MA) who earned conference honors as an outside hitter during her high school career.
Lasell graduated just two seniors from their 2010 squad and will open their 2011 campaign with a trip to California at the Pacific Coast Classic on September 2nd against Centre at 2:00 p.m.