Geneva volleyball returns two first-team all-conference Golden Tornadoes entering the 2015 season; three-time Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) rookie of the week and two-time Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) player of the week, Erica Hughes (North Jackson, OH/Jackson Milton) and PAC player of the week, Rachel Netherland (Aliquippa, PA/Central Valley). After finding success in the past, Hughes and Netherland will be looked to for leadership in what is the program's largest roster in recent years.
Co-head coach Curt Conser said, “Rachel has filled various roles the last seasons and regardless of what positions she ends up playing she will be a big part of what we do.”
The lone senior, Netherland, leads the 2015 Golden Tornadoes after tallying 120 kills in 2014, reaching a team season high of 932 assists, 43 service aces, 334 digs and 57 blocks.
Hughes enters sophomore year after an outstanding freshman campaign in 2014.
“Erica had a great offensive season as a freshman and we look for that to continue along with other parts of her game.”
In the outside hitter position, Hughes led the team in season kills at 434 (.244 attack percentage) and contributed 89 digs and 30 blocks.
In addition to Hughes and Netherland, Geneva returns 2014 second-team all-conference member, junior, Olivia Test (Negley, OH/Heartland Christian). Test earned 255 kills while supporting the blocking game with 62.
“One of our strengths is our versatility,” said co-head coach Wendy Smith. “We have outsides that can play middle. We have outsides who can set. We have players that have been training in more than one position and are such well-rounded players which give us a lot of potential options for the season.”
Conser added, “We lost two nice blockers and two nice hitters, those are big shoes to fill but we have quality players returning and quality incoming freshmen who will really be competitive for court time.”
The conference coaches’ preseason poll released the week of August 17 that voted Geneva to finish third behind defending PAC champions Thomas More and long-time opponent Bethany.
“The preseason poll is a fun thing but doesn’t mean much. The conference is stronger each year and so any team could win the Championship,” said Conser
“It should be a fun season. We have a good mix of non-conference opponents to go with a demanding conference schedule.”
Geneva volleyball starts the 2015 season Tuesday, September 1 on the road at Mt. Union at 7 p.m.
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