2007 Outlook

2007 Walsh University Volleyball Outlook

The Cavaliers return ten letter winners, including five starters and libero from the 2006 American Mideast Conference Championship team. With the experience and depth the Cavaliers bring to the court, look for them to make a run at the AMC Championship once again. Walsh enters 2007 ranked 13th in the NAIA Preseason poll.

The top returners include; senior setter Jillian Barry (5-6, Salem, OH/HS) pictured left, senior libero Heather Hernandez (5-9, Oakdale, CA/HS), junior middle blocker Erica Parker (6-0, Concord, OH/Mentor) pictured bottom right and junior outside hitter Megan McDonald (5-10, Kirkland, IL/Rockford Lutheran). Barry, one of three co-captains, was named AMC and Region IX Setter of the Year in 2006. She also earned All-AMC South First Team honors and AMC Setter of the Week four times. Barry currently ranks third in Walsh history in total assists and first in assists per game. Look for Barry to lead the Cavalier offense for the fourth consecutive season. Returning libero and co-captain Heather Hernandez has become a crucial part of the Cavaliers’ success. In 2006, Hernandez ranked 10th in the NAIA in passing percentage with a .966. She finished first on the team in digs with 675, nearly doubling her digs from the previous season. Hernandez also earned AMC Libero of the Week twice during the 2006 season. She currently ranks 6th in Walsh history in digs per game with 3.87 and her .34 aces per game ranks 10th. Hernandez will be expected to lead the passing and defensive efforts during her senior campaign. Parker comes into the 2007 season ranked second in Walsh history in hitting percentage with a .377 average and seventh in kills per game (3.58). She finished 2006 ranked 14th in the NAIA in hitting percentage and earned All-AMC South Second Team and Region IX Team honors. Parker finished the season with 443 kills, 33 service aces, 107 digs, 90 blocks and was named AMC Player of the Week once during the season. Megan McDonald is expected to lead the offense on the outside. She was second on the team in kills with 518 for an average of 3.89 kills per game in 2006. McDonald ranked 10th in the AMC in kills per game and currently ranks sixth in Walsh history in kills per game with 3.75. She also added 90 digs and 37 blocks.

Letter winners Caitlin Doon (5-6, Sr., Columbus, OH/DeSales), Danielle Evancho (5-11, So., Strongsville, OH/HS), Hilary Dattilo (5-10, Jr., Mason, OH/HS), Caitlin Whealy (6-2, Jr., Avon Lake, OH/HS), Amy Police (5-5, So., Perry, OH/HS), and Jennifer Carona (5-4, Jr., Canton, OH/Massillon Perry) round out the returning members of the 2006 AMC Champions. Doon brings back considerable experience to the back row and will be looked to play right-back defense again for the Cavaliers. Her presence in her natural position has greatly improved the Cavaliers’ defense. Evancho, the AMC South Freshman of the Year last season, will be looked to contribute once again in the middle. Her high energy and versatility will allow for the Cavaliers to have many options this season. Middle blocker, Hilary Dattilo, is an athletic player that has the potential to be a dominant force in the middle. If Dattilo can come in this season more aggressive, look for her to also contribute significantly in the middle. Caitlin Whealy, the returning opposite hitter, will be looked to tremendously for her blocking capabilities and hard hitting from the right-side. Whealy has the potential to not only be an offensive threat in the American Mideast Conference, but also nationally. Defensive specialist Amy Police gained significant collegiate experience last year as a freshman. She played in all of the Cavaliers’ matches last season and has become more confident and consistent in the spring training. Look for Police to join with Hernandez and Doon in the back row. Jennifer Carona is also an experienced defensive specialist for the Cavaliers. Her serve is one of the toughest on the team and will be needed throughout the season.

Incoming freshmen; Megan Kelly (5-10, Fr., Brook Park, OH/Holy Name), Jill Taylor (5-10, Fr., Indianapolis, IN/Franklin Central), and Ashley Yuhas (5-9, Fr., Elyria, OH/HS) bring in vast talent and experience to the Cavaliers for the 2007 season. Kelly will be a likely candidate to start opposite McDonald on the outside. She has terrific ball control and brings a big jump and heavy swing to the Cavaliers. Look for Kelly to have a successful career at Walsh. Taylor, a setter, comes to North Canton with immense leadership abilities. She is recovering from ankle surgery over the winter and will most likely train for a year before looking to take over the offense after Barry. Taylor is a strong and knowledgeable player that brings height to the setter position that Walsh has not seen in a long time. Yuhas is an athlete that can add to the Cavalier lineup in numerous positions. She is capable of hitting outside or right-side and has the ball control to see quite a bit of playing time as a freshman. She has natural instincts and awareness on the court that cannot be taught. Ashley is a fantastic addition to the Cavaliers and will give the offense and defense various options.

“Coming off an American Mideast Conference Championship, I believe our team has worked extremely hard in the off-season and is motivated to repeat as champions this season,” stated fourth-year Head Coach Krista Singleton. “Although we graduated a great all-around player in Jamie Herr, we return most of our starting lineup and I believe we can be even stronger than last season. Our team chemistry should be very strong. Our leadership and experience is more solid than ever. I look for our captains, Barry, Doon, and Hernandez to have stellar senior seasons and for McDonald, Parker, and Whealy to lead the offense. Our incoming freshmen have many years of club under their belts and I expect all three of them to be playing like veterans very early in the season. Our offense should be very balanced and I look for our ball control and defense to be the key to our success. Cavalier Volleyball has a chance to turn some heads in the NAIA this season and our schedule will allow us to step on the court against some of the top teams in the country. This team is determined to win the AMC and berth to the NAIA National Tournament.”