Oct. 9, 2007

Stony Brook, N.Y. - This is the first installment in what I hope will be a monthly newsletter to all of the supporters of Stony Brook Volleyball. From recaps of matches to interesting tidbits about the team and staff, the objective of this letter is to keep you up to date on everything that is Stony Brook Volleyball. As I write this letter, we are off to a good start to the season as our record stands at 14-7 overall, 2-1 in conference play.

The 2007 season is well underway and our team features a good mix of veteran strength and youthful talent. Returning to the starting line-up this season are our senior tri-captains: setter Kaitlyn Deutsch '08 (St. Louis, Mo.), middle blocker Amy Oleksiej '08 (Coram, N.Y.) and outside hitter Morgan Sweany '08 (Mission Viejo, Calif.). Both Kaitlyn and Amy are coming off of second team all-conference honors for 2006, while Morgan was a first-team selection. All three have played key roles in our early season success with victories over three top 100 teams: Baylor (38), Cal State Fullerton (88) and Portland (94). Also returning to the Seawolves line-up this season are middle blocker Jessica Graham'09 (Eastport, N.Y.), outside hitter Gulce "Naz" Dikecligil '09 (Istanbul, Turkey) and libero Noelle Bay '09 (Selden, N.Y.). Noelle has been the defensive anchor in the back row this season as she earned the starting libero position. Both Jessica and Naz have each played key roles in all twelve of the Seawolves victories thus far.

In the off-season, five new players were added to the roster: middle blocker Ashley Headen '11 (Alexandria, Va.), outside hitter Jeanette Gibbs '11 (Port Jefferson Station, N.Y.), outside hitter Alicia Nelson '11 (Eastview, Minn.), outside hitter Linda Weber '11 (Dachau, Germany) and outside hitter Jackie Ahlers '08 (Stony Point, N.Y.). Ashley's quickness and blocking ability, Jeanette's defensive ability and Alicia's strong arm have all played major roles in the Seawolves early season success. Jackie's offensive abilities have helped bring the Seawolves offense to another level and Linda will look to use her international experience to be an instant contributor both offensively and defensively.

The 2007 Seawolves roster is rounded out by several sophomores: setter Samantha Filipek '10 (Washington, Mich.), defensive specialist Jamie Watson '10 (New York, N.Y.), middle blocker Lindsey Gordon '10 (No. Patchogue, N.Y.), middle blocker Justine Hoffman '10 (Wading River, N.Y.) and defensive specialist Amanda Steen '10 (New York, N.Y.).

The America East conference schedule got off to a slow start for us as we lost to defending America East champion Albany in a five-game thriller. The team will be looking to avenge that loss the next time we meet Albany at Stony Brook on October 26th. Following the Albany loss, we rebounded to knock off UMBC and Binghamton to up our conference mark to 2-1. We now hit the road to take on New Hampshire, Maine and Hartford. The Seawolves will return home on October 21 to face Hartford before taking on the Great Danes on Homecoming Weekend.

We hope you return for Wolfstock 2007 to cheer us on to victory Friday night against Albany before enjoying all of the homecoming festivities on Saturday afternoon. Be sure to register on our website at www.goseawolves.org to take advantage of all of the fun at Wolfstock Village, including the Athletics Alumni Reunion Tent where you can reunite with your former teammates. If you have any questions about homecoming, please call Sam Kornhauser at 631-632-7198.

Thanks for all of your support. We hope to see you soon. Go Seawolves!

Deb Matejka-Deslauriers
Head Volleyball Coach