Fact Sheet
The Rowan University women’s volleyball team enters the 2012 season with high expectations. The Profs return five starters from their 2011 team that went 15-16 overall and 5-2 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC). Rowan advanced to the semifinals of the conference tournament.
“I hate to lose and I want the team to reach its potential,” said head coach Libby Ranero. “I expect to get as much out of the athletes as they have in them. I want them to realize they can do things they don’t think they can. I expect the team to improve daily and do their personal best every time they are on the court. They will bring it together and winning will happen.”
This year’s team is comprised of one senior, seven juniors, three sophomores and three freshmen. Veterans Krissy Collins (jr. Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown) and Dakota Oeskovic (jr. Pine Beach, NJ/Toms River S.) will play at outside hitter. They are joined by Katie Havlicek (sr. Midland Park, NJ/Immaculate Heart Academy) and rookie Danielle Havlicek (fr. Midland Park, NJ/Midland Park). Maggie Catherina (fr. Ridgefield, NJ/Ridgefield Mem.), Elaina Hansen (jr. Monroe Twp., NJ/Monroe Twp.), Morgan Mende (fr. Glen Rock, NJ/Glen Rock) and Sarah Hanrahan (so. Montvale, NJ/Pascack Hills) may also see time at outside hitter.
“It is a huge advantage to have the majority of the team together for over two years,” continued Ranero. “We have team cohesion and that is definitely an underrated asset. Now in their third season together, the team is familiar with each other’s nonverbal communication and tendencies. It gives us an edge. They can sense where each other are and where they will be.”
Last season, Collins led the team with 270 kills and 2.41 kills per set. She also compiled 118 digs, 23 service aces and 34 blocks. She ranked eighth in the conference in kills. Collins was named to the NJAC All-Conference second team for the second consecutive year. She was chosen the NJAC Offensive Player of the Week once. Oeskovic posted 227 kills, 1.99 kills per set, 103 digs and 18 blocks. Katie Havlicek did not play last season. In 2010, she had team-highs with 261 kills and 2.56 kills per set. Havlicek tallied 132 digs and 27 blocks. She is a two-time NJAC All-Conference second team selection and was chosen the conference’s Rookie of the Year in 2009. Danielle Havlicek received All-League and All-County first team and All-North Jersey third team honors as a senior at Midland Park High School.
“Collins is a leader,” stated Ranero. “She is athletic, vocal and encouraging. She wants to win and knows how to do it. Danielle Havlicek is skilled. She is a solid passer, good defender and has a good wrist snap. Catherina is extremely athletic. She has great net vision and is aggressive. Once Danielle Havlicek and Catherina perfect their mechanics, they will be very good players.”
Middle blocker Nikki Binetti (so. Toms River, NJ/Brick Twp.) returns from an injury that limited her to eight matches in 2011. Prior to getting hurt, she totaled 59 kills 1.97 kills per set, 16 blocks and a .255 hitting percentage. Hansen, Mende, Hanrahan and Catherina will all see playing time in the middle as well. Hansen registered 140 kills, 1.30 kills per set and 50 blocks. Hanrahan led the Profs with 65 blocks and finished seventh (0.57) in the NJAC. She added 120 kills, 1.05 kills per set, 147 digs and 15 service aces. Mende collected All-League first team honors at Glen Rock High School.
“Binetti has done a lot of maturing on the court,” commented Ranero. “Missing a lot of time made her a more focused player. Our young players are hungry. They are all battling each other for playing time.”
Nicole Ciandella (jr. Hoboken, NJ/Roselle Catholic) will take over the starting setter role. Casey Grasso (jr. Wilmington, DE/Alexis I. duPont) will serve as the backup. Last season, they were both primarily used as defensive specialists. Ciandella posted 174 digs, 34 assists and 19 service aces. Grasso chipped in with 131 digs and 14 aces.
“Ciandella was a setter in high school out of necessity,” remarked Ranero. “She came to Rowan as a defensive specialist and was our backup setter. In the spring, she knew there was a chance she would have to set this year. Ciandella worked hard in the off season. She looks really good and is running the offense well. She has a good mind for the position. Ciandella’s smart play and creativity are an asset to the team. Grasso is vocal and she is a hard worker. She expects a lot out of her teammates and wants everyone working together.”
Marissa Micciche (jr. Kinnelon, NJ/Kinnelon), Gabby Kulikowski (so. Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown) and Grasso will all see time at defensive specialist. In 2011, Micciche compiled 77 digs. Kulikowski transferred from Penn State University, but she did not play volleyball there.
Lauren Ruffalo (jr. Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) will be the team’s libero for the third straight year. Last season, she collected team-highs with 523 digs and 24 service aces. Her 5.03 digs per set ranked third in the conference. Ruffalo earned NJAC Defensive Player of the Week honors twice.
“Ruffalo has improved defensively,” continued Ranero. “She has gotten to the point where she is confident in her own skills. She has become a leader on the court. Ruffalo is communicating much better, which helps the defense.”
Rowan opens the season at the Red Dragon Classic in Cortland, NY on August 31-September 1. The Profs will face Lebanon Valley College (22-10) and Buffalo State College (15-20) on the first day. Lebanon Valley won the Commonwealth Conference Championship and advanced to the first round of the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament. The women’s volleyball team hosts Baptist Bible College (17-19) in its home opener on September 5. Rowan travels to Stevenson, MD for a tri-match with Stevenson University (31-4) and Cazenovia College (11-17) on September 15. Stevenson earned an at-large bid to the national tournament. The Profs will also face tough competition at the Spartan Invitational in York, PA on September 28-29 and at the Knights Fall Class in Aston, PA on October 12-13.
In the NJAC Preseason Coaches Poll, four-time defending conference champion Richard Stockton College (25-9 overall, 7-0 NJAC) was selected first with seven first place votes. The Ospreys received the conference’s automatic bid to the first round of the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament. Ramapo College (28-8 overall, 6-1 NJAC) was second in the preseason poll with one first place vote. Rowan was picked third and chosen as the dark horse. Kean University (11-21 overall) followed fourth with one first place vote. Rutgers-Camden (14-17 overall, 3-4 NJAC) and Montclair State University (12-18 overall, 3-4 NJAC) were fifth and sixth respectively. Rounding out the poll were William Paterson University (17-11 overall, 2-5 NJAC), seventh, Rutgers-Newark (8-19 overall, 2-5 NJAC), eighth and New Jersey City University (7-20 overall, 0-7 NJAC), ninth.
The Profs begin conference play at home against Richard Stockton on September 13. The women’s volleyball team plays at Rutgers-Newark on September 18. Rowan hosts William Paterson and Kean on September 20 and September 27 respectively. The Profs are at Rutgers-Camden on October 4. Rowan travels to Montclair State on October 16 and Ramapo on October 18. The women’s volleyball team finishes conference play at home on October 25 versus New Jersey City.
“The team needs to stay positive this season,” said Ranero. “We need to learn from past setbacks and can’t get discouraged. I want our younger players to develop quickly. There will be position battles all year and that will help raise our level of confidence. This team has a sense of wisdom to go along with its skills and athleticism. They have an intense calmness about them. We are all focused, driven and want to win.”
