Mount Ida College is looking to get back into the post season this year after finishing just one spot out of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) tournament a year ago. The Mustangs lost two key starters in outside hitter Rachel Gilbert and setter Cody Fusco, but with the experience that the young Mustangs accumulated last season, along with the additions of 3 incoming freshman, the Mustangs expect to crack the top 8 and return to the playoffs. The team will be led by three captains. Senior outside hitter Jen Ferreira (Shirley, MA/Ayer), who led the team with 189 kills a year ago, will be a big part of the Mustangs success. Ferreira's passing ability as well as her offense will be heavily relied upon to carry the Mustangs throughout the season. Along with fellow senior defensive specialist Toni Vegiard (South Attleboro, MA/Attleboro), the two will give everything they have in order to finish their careers with a winning season. Junior captain Emily Hutvagner (Beacon Falls, CT/Woodland Regional) will take over at outside hitter this season to keep the ball control on point for the Mustangs. Sophomore setter Nicole Peixoto (New Bedford, MA/New Bedford) will handle most of the setting duties while sophomore Shay Collins (Londonderry, NH/Londonderry) will have a greater work load on the right side this year as the 5'10 opposite will be asked to make a bigger impact on the offensive side of the ball.
That nucleus will be joined by three first year players. Trudy Goetchius (North Andover, MA/Lawrence Vocational) took a year off from school and returns after getting some coaching experience at the junior level. Trudy will add some height in the middle of the along with a great vocal presence on the court. Kelcey Koolman (Bedford, NH/Bedford) will help to sure up the back row, as the defensive specialist brings a ton of energy and quickness to the court. Finally, Haley Paradis (Hampton, NH/Winnacunnett) will split time between defensive specialist and outside hitter as she develops her game.
The returners will be rounded out by senior setter Julie Smith (Richmond, RI/Chariho), who returns to the Mustangs line-up after a two year hiatus, junior middle hitter Abbey Fedigan (New Fairfield, CT/New Fairfield), sophomore middle hitter Nicole Batakis (East Longmeadow, MA/East Londmeadow) and sophomore defensive specialist Lauren Rushalski (Brick, NJ/Brick Memorial).
"This year's team will have to get production from everybody, spots 1-12 on the roster." Says first year head coach Craig Martin. "Unfortunately we don't have a lot of height this season so blocking is going to be our biggest struggle, but if we can combat that with a great deal of ball control and defense then I see no reason why we can't make our way into the playoffs."