ANDREW RICHARDSON
Special to The Leader
All last week, the Fredonia women’s volleyball team talked about using the losses it faced to motivate the team in the playoffs. At first, it translated perfectly; after the first three sets this team was up 2-1 in the SUNYAC Championships on Friday at Brockport.
Then the motivation started to deflate for the Blue Devils. The team lost the last two sets 19-25 and 14-16. The loss was not due to a lack of effort — Fredonia sophomore outside hitter Kristen Stanek registered a whopping 20 kills.
Assistant coach Jon-Ryan Maloney recognized the loss, but is already looking toward next year. He also knows the losses his team will have to overcome losing multiple big-time seniors.
“I’m already excited for next season,” said Maloney. “The seniors will be hard to replace, as they’ve been bedrocks of the program for four years, but we do have several players who’ve been improving over the course of the year who may be able to make that transition into the starting rotation.”
Among those seniors, opposite hitter Paulina Rein had some emotional comments about her last year as a Blue Devil.
“As a senior and a two-year captain it has been an honor to be a part of such an amazing volleyball program,” said Rein. “Knowing that I will not have to prepare for another preseason, or wear another jersey again breaks my heart … but being a part of this program was by far one of the best things to be a part of as a college student.”
Head Coach Geoff Braun said he’d always be supportive of the team, despite any losses.
“I’m proud of them. It’s bittersweet,” said Braun. “Although as a coach you’re angry you lost, you’ve got to be there for the team.”
Whenever a team make the playoffs, regardless of how it turns out, the season is considered a success. That is the case with this team. However abruptly the season might have ended for the women’s volleyball team, the players left the court with a positive atmosphere.