By Kristen Wood
PRESEASON PREP
By Kristen Wood
Even though the season doesn’t officially start until September, Riverside Community College women’s volleyball is already busy building a strong team for the 2005 season.
“I have high expectations for the team,” said coach Suzie Hauck.
Hauck, who was named conference coach of the year for 2004, is looking forward to getting started.
One sophomore returning for next season is Jasmin Rivas. The team’s libero just underwent knee surgery for a torn meniscus. The knee problem is a reoccurring problem. Rivas also tore her ACL while playing at North High School.
Despite the injury, this defensive specialist will have the entire summer to adjust and recover. She is still expected to be a great contributor to this volleyball team.
Another returning player is Reanna Conenna. The 5’10” middle blocker, who has been playing for about eight years, will be a force to reckon with at the net. Conenna was named to the second team All-Orange Empire Conference for the 2004 season. She led the team in kill percentage with .252.
When asked about her expectations for next season, Conenna said, “We will be a lot stronger all around. We’ll have to see what happens.”Other sophomores returning are setter Nickie Reichling and middle Ashley Favreau.
Riverside is looking forward to a few very talented freshmen to fill out the rest of the team.
“There’s a lot of good girls coming in, a lot of good talent,” Hauck said.Erin Araujo will add some offensive strength as a hitter on the right side. The 6’1″ lefty from Paloma High School had a previous injury when she tore her rotator cuff, but is confident that it will not hold her back from being an asset to the team.
Another new face on the team will be Sarah Baker. She is a setter who won the Riverside County all-area team award which is given by The Press-Enterprise.
Two more talented girls joining the team are 5’7″ Megan Argueta and Skye Williams both from Rialto High School. Williams at 6’2″ will add some needed height to the team.
One player who will not be returning is outside hitter D’Ann Gorman. Gorman, who led the Tigers in kills last season, is planning on attending Cal State San Bernardino in the fall and playing for the Coyote’s volleyball team.
During the 2004 season, the women’s volleyball team finished in a disappointing fifth place. Everyone on the team is looking forward improving on that next season and being a strong competition in the Orange Empire Conference.
With a lot of new talent and a number of very experienced sophomores returning this year, the 2005 volleyball season looks promising.
