2006 Preview: SU welcomes new faces, the return of team leader in '06
The Salisbury University volleyball team has been no stranger to success during head coach Margie Knight's tenure. The Sea Gulls have won three of the last eight Capital Athletic Conference titles, including most recently in 2004. Last season, the Gulls (26-10, 5-2 CAC) bowed out in the semifinals of the CAC tournament, leaving Salisbury two wins short of defending its title and receiving an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

"Our ultimate goal is to get to the NCAA Tournament," said Knight, who is entering her 10th season as head coach of the program. "I think we will have a new attitude out on the court which should translate into us being better on the court."

The new attitude will be led by the lone senior on Knight's roster Abbey Petrecca (Baldwin, Md./Perry Hall), a first-team All-CAC setter a year ago, returns after undergoing off-season knee surgery. Her presence on the court and her game experience make her an invaluable leader for the Sea Gull squad.

With the loss of two senior hitters from a year ago, Petrecca will more than likely be setting the ball to sophomore Stacey Krebs (Eldersburg, Md./Liberty), among others. Krebs finished the 2005 year with 335 kills, averaging 2.72 a game, while playing 123 of the teams 127 games.

Another key sophomore that is expected to make an impact on the team is Jaime Marzocchi (Harrington Park, N.J./Old Tappan), a defensive setter, who tallied 349 digs as a freshman, averaging 2.79 a game.

"Jaime brings a lot of energy to the court," said Knight.

The top servers returning from last year's team are Marzocchi, Krebs and junior Lynn Cipollone (Severna Park, Md./Severna Park). Last year, Salisbury managed 275 aces. Cipollone was responsible for 41 percent of those aces, averaging 0.26 per game. According to Knight, Cipollone has three different serves in her repertoire and is the strongest server returning.

OFFENSE
The offense will also welcome several new faces. Junior Stephanie Withers (Gaithersburg, Md./Quince Orchard) joins the squad after transferring from Division II Glenville State College. After sitting out last season, Withers will be instrumental to the team's success as a right side middle hitter.

DEFENSE
The defense is big upfront, and over the last two years the blocking has gotten better and better. As a team, the Gulls averaged 18.9 digs a game and 2.8 blocks a game in 2005. Freshman Gabby Long (Bel Air, Md./Bel Air) is a quick defensive setter who excels in passing and digging the ball. With her ability to pass, Knight is trying to convert the freshman to a pure setter.

SCHEDULE
The schedule is difficult early on as the Sea Gulls play in five straight weekends of tournaments, one of which is a new tournament to the SU schedule the Tufts/MIT tourney.

"We have never been there before," said Knight. "We will see some of the best teams up in the New England area."

CAC
In addition to the tournaments SU will have to navigate through the well balanced CAC. Gallaudet University is still the team to beat as Salisbury, Marymount and York should contend for the title.

"We will be right up there in the CAC," said Knight.

The winner of the Capital Athletic Conference receives automatic bid to the NCAA National Tournament. The Sea Gulls look to return to the NCAA Playoffs after taking a one year hiatus in 2005.