Young Harper to lean on Strzelec
A freshman-laden Harper College women's volleyball team will usher in the 2010 volleyball season on Friday, with it travels to College of DuPage to face Moraine Valley at 3:30 p.m. in the 15th anual DuPage Classic.
The Hawks return two of the eight members of last year's 21-24 team that lost in the RegionIV Semifinals to eventual NJCAA Division III national runner-up Madison College.
The Hawks will miss the services of three starters - 6-foot-4 All-American middle hitter Alexandra Mason, outside hitter Katie Spychala (Elk Grove) and libero Megan Maze (Conant). The Hawks will lean on middle hitter Joanna Strzelec (Rolling Meadows) and defensive specialist Amy Fischer (Lake Park) for sophomore leadership.
The Hawks welcome 10 freshmen, including five former Daily Herald All-Area selections: twin sisters, middle hitter Jackie Rosinski and outside hitter Sam Rosinski (Rolling Meadows); Lauren LaMasse (Hoffman Estates), the younger sister of 2007 North Central Community College Conference MVP Lisa LaMasse); setter Alyssa Cazzato (Bartlett) and Lynette Mueller (Conant).
"They are two of the smartest defensive players we have," coach Bob Vilsoet said of the Rosinski twins.
Vilsoet believes the Hawks have the depth at their natural positions to be strong national contenders.
"We could have a very good team and still not get to nationals because we can't get out of our region," Vilsoet said of a rugged North Central Community College Conference.
The Hawks could play five games against ranked opponents. Their first clash with a ranked opponent could come this weekend, when the Hawks could face NJCAA Division III preseason No.2-ranked Madison College in the DuPage Classic. On Thursday, Sept. 2, the Hawks travel to Rock Valley College to play the first of two regular-season games against the Golden Eagles, who earned the No. 5 NJCAA Division III preseason ranking, at 6 p.m.
The first conference matchup between the Hawks and Wolfpack comes Sept. 7 at The Sports and Wellness Center.