In 2009, the Saint Mary’s volleyball team will look to a new head coach to lead
some strong veteran players as the Belles look to climb to the top of the MIAA.
Under the leadership of first-year head coach Toni Kuschel, the Belles will look to
break into the top three of the league for the first time in over a decade.
Playing a big role for the success of the Belles this fall will be senior Lorna
Slupczynski. The outside hitter has gained recognition from the conference
coaches at the conclusion of each season of her collegiate career, including backto-
back All-MIAA Second Team honors as a sophomore and junior. Last season,
Slupczynski became just the third player to surpass 1,000 career kills and digs as she
looks to cement herself as one of the best players ever to suit up for the Belles.
Helping to execute the offense in 2009 could be sophomore Danie Brink. The setter
led the team last season in assists with 693 while also sharing team-high honors for
service aces with 30 in her rookie campaign with the Belles.
On the defensive end, the Belles will look to a pair of juniors to set the pace in the
fall. Libero Meg Rose and defensive specialist Ellen Huelsmann both emerged as
leaders in the backcourt last fall. Rose led the team with 465 digs while earning
MIAA Specialty Player of the Week honors in 2008. Huelsmann, meanwhile, played
in all but three sets last fall and is the third-leading returning Belle in digs from last
season.
“I’m very excited about getting started and working on getting this team
into the top of the MIAA,” first-year head coach Toni Kuschel commented. “With our
strong veteran experience returning from last season and some talented incoming
Meg athletes, I believe we’re primed to have a strong season.”
