2006 Bryant Volleyball Preview 

Tradition of excellence. It's what the Bryant volleyball program, through hard work and commitment, has established over the years. 

Year after year, the Bulldogs have been one of most dominant programs in not only the Northeast-10 Conference, but in the Northeast region.

Bryant has averaged 32 wins in the last five seasons and have won three-straight Northeast-10 Conference Tournament Championships. Photo of Tiffany Garry by David Silverman (www.dspics.com)

Need proof?  During the past five seasons alone, Bryant has averaged 32 wins a season, posting a 159-45 record.  In conference play, where the Bulldogs have won three-straight Northeast-10 Conference titles, Bryant has been the dominant program. 

The Bulldogs are 66-4 against conference teams, coming up short just once in the last 42 matches.

The architect of what Bryant volleyball has become over the years resides in coach Theresa Garlacy.  While the names on the jersey's may change with each passing season, the one trademark that has always been with the Bulldogs is consistency. 

Now entering her 11th season, Garlacy has consistently produced all-conference and all-region athletes over the years, but perhaps one of the biggest challenge will be finding a way to replace one of the program's all-time best in Michelle Muniz who graduated this past spring.
One of the region's best players during the past four seasons, Muniz concluded her hall of fame career as the program's all-time career kills leader and second in all-time career digs. 
While it may be hard to replace a player with talents of a Muniz, Bulldog fans should not worry entering the new season. 

The 2006 squad features a cast of veterans that have enjoyed conference championships and NCAA appearances during their career, plus a talented group of newcomers capable of contributing immediately.

Here's a look at the way the 2006 Bulldogs look heading into the season.

SETTER

A signature of the Bryant volleyball program has been its ability to produce top-notch setters each season.  Perhaps the key spot on the floor, a setter in volleyball is as important as having a playmaking point guard or intelligent quarterback. 

This year, the Bulldogs will have just that as junior Tiffany Garry (Frankfort, IL) returns for her third season in 2006.  The reigning two-time Northeast-10 Conference Setter of the Year, Garry enters her third season on the verge of moving into third all-time at Bryant for career assists. 

Last year, Garry not only led the conference in assists with 1,559 (12.09 per game) but was the conference leader in service aces with 107, averaging nearly an ace per game. 
Newcomer Adriana Fuertes (Miramar, Puerto Rico) will gain valuable experience working behind Garry.

OUTSIDE HITTER

Always a strong area for the Bulldogs, the Bulldogs will need to fill the shoes of Muniz who was virtually instant offense for the past four years, but the Bulldogs will have experience and power with the return seniors Jessica Cegarra (Danville, NH) and Vanessa Lavallee (Gilford, NH). 

While Cegarra will be utilized mostly as a middle, her power and quickness will make her dangerous from just about any spot on the floor.

In 2006, Cegarra was second on the team with 465 kills (3.60 per game) and hit a respectable .315 offensively.  One of the most athletic members of the team, Cegarra was a stopper at the net, leading the Bulldogs with 138 blocks - 24 of which were solo stops. 

Lavallee has been a regular since her freshman season and this year will have the opportunity play a key role offensively in 2006.  Lavallee has played in over 200 games during her career and averaged 2.32 kills per game season as a junior. 

Sophomore Delia Glover (Marston Mills, Mass.) is coming off a strong freshman campaign and will look to give the team some offensive depth while at the same time give the team stability defensively with strong passing skills.  Glover had 326 digs defensively while also adding 41 service aces.

Newcomers Likica Grceva (Natick, Mass.), Monika Sattler (Gruenwald, Germany), Julie Geonnotti (St. Louis Park, Minn.) and Lauren Warning (Naperville, IL) give the team excellent depth and should play a factor this season. 

Both Grceva and Sattler are Division I transfers with Grceva coming to Bryant from the University of Maryland - Eastern Shore where she was a two-year standout both from an offensive standpoint, as well as defensively where she was among the team leaders in digs. 
Sattler played one season at South Carolina State University and could give the Bulldogs a boost from the right side this season.

Warning and Geonnotti are both freshman making their collegiate debuts this season and bring a hard-hitting game to the lineup.

MIDDLE HITTER

Joining Cegarra in the middle this season will be senior Beth Schlatterer (Arlington Heights, IL).  Together, the pair will give the team a strong presence defensively at the net, not to mention a wealth of experience. 

As a junior a year ago, Schlatterer tallied 114 kills while finishing with 57 total blocks.  Schlatterer's skills on the floor are invaluable with her ball control. 

Newcomer Morgan Wood (Cedar Park, Texas) gives the team much-needed height up front in the middle and is coming off a strong high school career at Cedar Park.

DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST / LIBERO

One of the key veterans returning in the back row will be senior  Elysce Tackmann (East Providence, RI).  Tackmann saw  time at both setter and defensive specialist for the Bulldogs last year.  Her passing skills and leadership is a critical asset to the team both on the floor and off. 

While Glover and Tackmann give the team excellence experience in the back row, the Bulldogs welcome back its primary passer and libero Maureen Atkins (Fenton, Mo.)  
With lightening-quick reflexes and solid athletic ability, Atkins wowed the Bulldog fans with brilliant defensive digs throughout her freshman season. 

The only player on last year's roster to see action in all 130 games, Atkins was second on the team behind Muniz with 470 digs (3.62 digs per game) and racked up a career-best 34 digs against Eckerd and added 24 vs. Rollins College early in the season.

In addition to playing a role in generating offense and maintaining momentum throughout the match, Atkins proved to be one of the top servers on the team, racking up 74 aces on the season; the third-most on the team.

Newcomer Leanna Lam (Quincy, Mass.) will look to challenge for playing time this season and gives the team excellent depth and quickness defensively.