Guilford's volleyball team returns six players
from last season's 14-16 squad which reached the semifinals of the Old Dominion Athletic
Conference (ODAC) tournament. The veterans will look to help the club's newcomers learn
the winning ways that have kept the Quakers' volleyball program among the ODAC elite for
the past seven years.
Head coach Chuck McCracken starts his seventh season at the helm hoping to replace the 1997 club's three seniors who amassed 55 wins and three ODAC semifinal appearances in their four seasons. Two-time first team All-ODAC outside hitter Laura Nelson '98 graduated with nine school records, including career kills per game and career digs. Amy Shores '98, a second team all-league pick in 1997, left with three school standards and ranked second on the team in kills and digs in each of the past two seasons. The Quakers will also miss the services team co-captain Kelli Malo '98.
Guilford's middle hitters appear to be Guilford's deepest position on the court headed into the season. Senior blocking specialist Monica Jaszczak will unexpectedly return for her fourth season. Jaszczak, who did not play as a freshman, initially expected to complete her degree requirements in the summer, but opted to finish in the fall and use her final season of eligibility. The hitter is a proven defensive presence who will be asked to increase her offense with the graduation of Shores and Nelson. The 5-10 Jaszczak enters her senior season with the school's blocks per game record (1.993) and needs 109 total blocks to pass Sara Johnson '96 as Guilford's career leader.
Senior Danielle Johnson also returns to the middle, but may also see time at outside or right outside hitter. She is also expanding her leadership role on the team as one of the setters in the 6-2 alignment. Johnson returned to the lineup at right outside hitter in 1997 after spending her sophomore season attending Appalachian State. She and Jaszczak provide leadership at the net for the Quakers. Sophomore Mary Catherine Hale made good strides in her first season of competitive volleyball and looks to contribute in the middle or right outside hitter's spot as she gains additional match experience.
Versatile sophomore Marigny Johnston gives the Quakers more depth at middle hitter and at setter. She was one of the setters in Guilford's 6-2 alignment a year ago and spent time on the front line at the middle and right outside hitter's spot. She averaged 3.69 assists per game and ranked among the squad's aces per game leaders.
Senior Jenn Jankowski will have a chance at the setter's position as well. She returns to the squad after appearing in 10 matches in 1997 before leaving the team due to academic conflicts. The leading scorer on Guilford's lacrosse team in 1998, Jankowski is an effective communicator on the court and has strong defensive and serving skills.
Junior Susie Browder continues to develop as a solid hitter from the left side. She will be called on to replace some of the offense lost by the graduation of Shores and Nelson. The 5-10 Winston-Salem native ranked third on the team in kills and blocks per game as a sophomore before incurring a serious ankle injury which ended her season 20 games into the campaign.
First-year players Sarah Miller, Stephanie Rhoades, Erin Kelly, Katy Pomeroy and Jasmine Fouts will vie for time on the court.
Guilford meets some of the top volleyball teams in the South this season in dual matches and at challenging weekend tournaments. The Quakers will play 1997 NCAA playoff participants Savannah College of Art & Design and Emory University in an October tournament in Georgia. Thomas More, another national postseason player in 1997, will be in a six-team tourney hosted by perennial regional power Averett College October 30-31. Guilford hosts its own tournament in the Ragan-Brown Field House October 2-3 with the likes of Averett, ODAC rival Bridgewater and cross-town nemesis Greensboro. The Quakers' schedule also includes a 10-match ODAC slate that features a September 15 tilt against defending league champion Washington and Lee.