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Experience not a problem for the Lions this season

Saint Leo feels it has the depth, leadership and talent to notch a winning record.

By MIKE TOMPKINS
Published August 30, 2006

ST. LEO - Despite two sub-.500 seasons in his two years at the helm, Saint Leo coach Sam Cibrone has reason to believe.

Last season, his Lions had their sights set on finishing in the top three in the Sunshine State Conference and qualifying for the Division II Tournament. But with a lineup that featured three freshmen starters, the team faltered against the SSC hierarchy of Barry, Florida Southern and Tampa, going 0-6 against the trio. That led to a 12-18 campaign (6-9 in the conference) and a fifth-place conference finish.

Those three freshmen starters - Jessica Lynn, Audrey Starkebaum, Emily Frey - are now more experienced. Also returning is senior captain Erin Oberlin, along with sophomore captain Amanda Cook, who contributed extensively last season off of the bench. And after losing only one starter (right-side hitter Kristin Mondientz) to graduation, the team is poised to make a run. While this season's goals haven't changed, Cibrone hopes the results do.

"We're not going to change too much," Cibrone said. "I think the girls finally understand the system. I think we're very good athletically, and we have some nice depth. (In the season-opening tournament at Florida Southern) I thought we passed exceptionally well. We had a lot of hitting errors, but that's just part of knocking the rust off. They need to be more aggressive.

"We don't deliver the knockout punch, and that catches up with you."

Saint Leo opened the season this past weekend going 1-1, dropping its opening match to Texas Women's University in five games before disposing of Angelo (Texas) State in four.

Even with the season underway, the players are campaigning for positions. With Mondientz vacating the right-side hitter slot, Oberlin, whose 300 kills in 99 games last season (3.03 average) led the Lions, was moved from outside hitter. But senior Alex Farmer' stellar tournament performance has created a head-to-head battle for playing time, which bodes well for Farmer, and possibly the team.

"It has been a constant struggle to get playing time," Farmer said. "I'm excited. But we've got a lot of depth, and a lot of people play my position."

Another position battle is at setter. Lynn, who last season led the team with 1,079 assists in 103 games (10.48 average), would seem like the obvious choice. But she has been pushed by freshman Michelle Nogueras, formerly of the Puerto Rican junior national team.

The remainder of the starting lineup consists of Frey at middle hitter, Starkebaum and freshman Chelsea Armer at outside hitter, and junior Eniko Lukacs at libero.

[Last modified August 30, 2006, 06:26:54]