ERIE, Pa. – Back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Tournament and 20-win seasons. The return of 15 letterwinners, including the top seven kills leaders and top four blocks leaders from a year ago. An additional seven newcomers to an already deep roster. 

The numbers seem to be adding up in favor of a breakout season for the 2010 edition of the Mercyhurst College volleyball team. 

Though picked to finish sixth in an increasingly competitive Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division, the Lakers look to push for their third consecutive trip to the NCAA Atlantic Regional in as many years behind a mix of experience and an influx of youth. 

“We've got a deep team that is competing very hard in the practice gym,” says head coach Ryan Patton. “Here we are 24 hours from our first match and I'm still three decisions away from setting a lineup for that match. This is a great situation for us.” 

Offensively, the balanced firepower remains as Chelsea Jensen and Becky Leusch lead a group of seven returners that averaged over a kill per set a year ago. As freshmen, both Jensen (2.75 k/s) and Leusch (2.15 k/s) provided the go-to force while three other rookies in Amanda Balasko (1.96 k/s), Gretta Freyermuth (1.76 k/s) and Becky Smith (1.38) contributed to the offense. 

“Our starting outside hitter combination has changed about 217 times on my office whiteboard this fall. Chelsea is building on a very good freshman year, Gretta is passing well and at times just explodes athletically and Amanda brings both good heat and a whole lot of competitiveness to the court. They aren't freshmen anymore and the college experience they gained last year will be good for us."

Also providing depth to this year's attack are seniors Justine Smith (1.62 k/s) and Erin English (1.07 k/s). 

“We have depth in the middle that I've dreamt about for five years here. Justine and Becky did a nice job for us last year and both have done a lot to make their selves better since then. Our two freshmen add a lot to the position for us: Sarah Vick is a physical player and Veronica Crosby has a sneaky-good jump and both are going to push hard for playing time this year and make me feel very secure for the long-term. Erin [English] isn't really a middle anymore, but in her we have a fifth legitimate player for the spot.” 

Additionally, Stacey Miozzi, Kelsey Richardson and Emily Kainer will provide depth.
 
“Stacey had maybe the best volleyball-development summer of any player I've ever coached and Kelsey is recovering from significant ankle/foot surgery faster than probably anybody anticipated. Emily is a longer-term player who is great emotionally for our team. I suspect that we'll use many combinations here throughout the year.” 

At opposite, Leusch is the frontrunner with outside hitter Erin English also making to the move to the position. 

“Becky is getting more consistent and as she does and that matches up with her still raw ability and natural gifts, she could be awfully good. We've moved Erin to opposite, which better suits her body type and athletic ability. She's still figuring out the timing and angles, but the move is showing a lot of promise. Chelsea Bollenbacher and Kelsi Romatowski are cut from different physical molds, but both have the potential to be very good in the future.” 

With the graduation of three-year starting setter Julia Butler, the Lakers will look most likely to sophomore Kiera Rebert in a 6-2 lineup as the replacement in a position that features plenty of youth. Rebert finished her rookie campaign with 71 assists while libero Kendall Ashworth registered the third-best mark at 65. Also pushing for the starting role will be junior Chelsea Hennigan and sophomore Elyse Texido, in addition to freshman Kendra Kowalski. Butler, who handled most all the duties a year ago, played in 115 sets and amassed 996 helpers on the year. 

“Kiera is a very good and competitive player and is progressing as a setter at the rate we hoped she would when we recruited her. Chelsea Hennigan has worked very hard to be a factor. Physically she has gained so much strength since her freshman year and now, as a junior she is one of the strongest players on the team.” 

Defensively, Ashworth returns as the leading candidate at libero after leading the team in digs (437) despite missing several matches with a shoulder injury. Defensive specialists Nicole Texido, Megan Riske and Katie Powell provide depth as well as experience with the three recording significant time a season ago. 

“Kendall has tons of experience and middle linebacker competitiveness and intensity. We'll again want her to touch tons of first-balls over the net. Elyse has gone from someone last year who never passed a ball in competition at any level to someone who probably needs to be on the court in some capacity – she's getting real, real good. Katie has worked very hard to make herself a real, live college volleyball – this is both a compliment and a nice achievement. Nicole is just a nice volleyball player and keeps winning in practice…that's going to factor into our big picture in some way sometime soon. ” 

Serving specialists Megan Riske and Kendra Kowalski also figure into the team's success. 

“As they get better at other things their roles will change, but Megan and Kendra are serving specialists for our team and we are treating this as a very important role. They will make an impact for us this year with their very tough serves.” 

The Lakers begin their run at a third NCAA Tournament appearance at Ferris State on Sept. 3-4, taking on Hillsdale, Michigan Tech, Glenville State and tournament-host Ferris State. 

The Lakers return to the friendly confines of the Mercyhurst Athletic Center on Sept. 14 when they host Notre Dame College.