Lady Trojans look for success in 2010
Coach Ellen McGill heads into her second season at the helm of the Trinidad State Volleyball squad with only three players returning from the 2009 team but that hasn’t put a damper on the hopes of the 2010 Lady Trojans.
“I am very hopeful for the 2010 season, “commented Coach McGill. “I have a very solid sophomore class this year. Kristen Dipaola transferring from Adams State will give us a huge boost on the outside this year. I also expect my three returning sophomores to make a big impact for us as well. Shervonn Johnson, Jillian Wilkins, and Taylor Mosco worked really hard in the offseason and will bring some leadership, experience, and consistency to the court for us.”
All three of the returning sophomores bring a wealth of experience from last season as they each played in all 41 of TSJC’s matches. Mosco had 146 kills last season and led the team with 23 aces. Johnson played setter for the Trojans for most of 2009 and led the team in digs with 423. Wilkins finished 2009 second in kills with 185 and third in digs with 316.
DiPaola had a great season for the Trinidad Miners in 2007 for which she was selected to the All State team before heading off to Adams State. She now returns to Trinidad to give the Trojans some power from the outside.
“We have a big group of freshman this year, so we will be very young” said McGill. “I am very confident in the freshman class and many of them will be expected to make a difference for us this year. “
Joining the Trojan team from Colorado will be Morgan Cahoy (Eaton), Sydney Wilson (Eaton), Annie Wiley (South Fork), Stephanie Hunnel (Arvada), Chelsea Butler (Pritchett), Lauren Gadeken (Grand Junction), Jamie Arterburn (Westcliffe) and Ashleigh Wilson (Fruita). Coming in from out of state are Molly McHenry (Corvallis, Oregon), Alexis Spence (Eager, Arizona) and Dominique Lewis (Gilbert, Arizona)
“We may not be the tallest team in the region this year,” commented McGill. “But we will be very solid defensively as a team. “
The Trojans will have to play great defense as they make their way through a tough Region IX. Perennial powers Western Nebraska and Northeastern Junior College should again be the teams to beat but Lamar, Otero and McCook have also been improving each year. NJC returns eight sophomores with plenty of experience. Western Nebraska, the third place team in the nation last year, returns to the pre-season national rankings in 2010 at the six spot.
The task ahead of the Lady Trojans hasn’t affected the spirit of the team. They are practicing hard and should show vast improvement over last year’s team. They will see their first action August 27-28 at the Lamar Tournament. They will face Seward Community College, Dodge City, Clarendon and Western Wyoming that first weekend. The excitement of Trojan volleyball returns to Scott Gym September 1 when they host 12th ranked Frank Phillips.
“I am excited for this group of girls. They have a lot of heart and talent. It’s up to them to put to together.”
