Team looks forward to 2005 season

Junior Danielle Holt hits the ball off of two Ohio blockers last fall at the M.A.C. Center during Kent’s 3-0 loss to the Bobcats.

Credit: Beth Rankin

Kent State volleyball is looking forward to the 2005 season with four new recruits and a tough schedule ahead.

The Flashes finished last season with an 11-14 overall record and a 7-9 Mid-American Conference record, landing them in a tie for third place at the close of the 2004 season.

Five of the 2004 squad’s starters are returning this season. Expected to lead the squad are seniors Danielle Holt and Anne Butts. The two have dominated opponents and broken records in their three seasons with the Flashes.

Holt ended last season strong. She was selected to the All-MAC second team., and her average of 4.35 kills per game landed her the No. 5 ranking and her 4.97 points per game average led to a No. 4 ranking in the MAC.

The squad will also start the season with four new recruits. Freshmen Jessica Condeni, Lindsay Daniels, Krista Groce and Lindsey Skorupan will join the squad this season.

All four of the freshmen add much-needed height to the team. Three of the women play the middle blocker position, including 6-foot-1-inch Daniels, 6-foot Groce and 5-foot-11-inch Skorupan. The 5-foot-9-inch Condeni joins the squad as a right-side hitter.

The Flashes were picked to finish as No. 3 in the MAC East division, behind No. 2 Miami and No. 1 Ohio in the MAC Preseason Poll. Ohio is expected to once again take the crown is the MAC tournament champion. Last season, Ohio knocked the Flashes out of the MAC tournament in the quarterfinal match.

The Flashes begin the season against the Big Ten squad Michigan State in East Lansing, Mich. The match is set for Saturday at 7 p.m.

Contact general assignment reporter Kali Price at [email protected].