AT A GLANCE
Conference GCAC Red
2007 record 21-17
Coach Karen Van Assen

Top returners
Mary Broadhurst        sr.    S
Jackie Dalcerro          sr.    L
Kathryn Landis           jr.    OH
Annie Szram               sr.    OH

Promising newcomers
Emily Gunter               so.    M
Lauren Pratl                 jr.    OH/RS
Trisha Cahill                jr.    RS
Becki Baran                 jr.    DS
Bridget Williams         jr.    S
Alex Lee                      so.    M

KEY MATCHES
Sept. 9 vs. Mother McAuley Tough test against the class of the GCAC Red
Oct. 4 at IMSA Invite Second of two new tournaments to help beef up schedule.
Oct. 7 at St. Ignatius Wolfpack handed Eagles two three-set losses last year.

WHAT TO WATCH
Anything less than a regional championship and 20-plus win season would be a disappointment for the Eagles, according to Van Assen. The team won a Class 3A regional title last year, giving the program four regional championships in the last five years.

With four top players returning, including four-year defensive starter and three-year all-conference player Dalcerro (548 digs in 2007) and three-year starting setter Broadhurst (798 assists), the Eagles have the pieces in place to have continued success. They are both captains along with Szram (182 kills), while Landis (131 kills) is in her third varsity season.

The question for the Eagles is in the middle where they lost all four middle blockers from last year’s team. Gunter and Lee are expected to fill that role, while Pratl is an asset at all three front-row positions. Cahill started as a freshman in the back row, but has grown 6-8 inches and can play each position on the floor.

In an attempt to be more prepared come playoff time, the Eagles dropped two tournaments and added the West Aurora and IMSA invites — both featuring Class 3A and 4A schools.

“We’ve bumped up our schedule, but we still have high expectations,” Van Assen said.


Coach speak
Karen Van Assen

How much does the play of Broadhurst and Dalcerro mean to the team?
“It’s very nice. They actually play club together so they are nice senior leaders to have. They know so much about the game and are calm on the floor. Through their club and high school experience they know that even if you’re down, you can work hard to come back.”

Where is an area of concern?
“Right now we are lacking in the middle, but are strong on the outside and hopefully we can make up for that. If we are able to establish our middles, then team’s blockers won’t be able to just camp out on us.”