Season Preview: Sea Gulls return with high expectations
SALISBURY, Md. - The Salisbury University volleyball team looks to return to the top of the Capital Athletic Conference in 2007 and feels it has just the team to do it. SU returns practically its entire team as the Sea Gulls lost one senior to graduation. The Gulls bring back a big part of last season's offensive production as it returns 79 percent of its kills (1,258 kills) and 87 percent of its service aces (309).

Last season, the Gulls (22-13, 5-2 CAC) recorded their fourth straight 20-win season but were knocked out of the conference by Gallaudet University, 3-2. Coach Margie Knight is eager to see how this young team has matured and grown in the last year.

"We have a lot of changes on the floor but we don't think we will miss a step," said Knight, who enters her 11th season at the helm at her Alma Mater. "We want to win the conference and make a huge impression in the NCAA tournament."

Salisbury will be led this year by a pair of returning juniors. Stacy Krebs (Eldersburg, Md.), and Jaime Marzocchi (Harrington Park, N.J.) will be looked upon to carry the work load for the Gulls.

Offense
Krebs was a first team All-CAC member in 2006 and has played in 238 career games. The six foot outside hitter led SU in 2006 with 440 kills (3.83 kills per game), 285 digs and 39 service aces. As a freshman in 2005 she was second on the team in kills (335) and fourth in digs (304). 

"Last year she [Krebs] was learning a new position [outside hitter]. She has been great in practice, she is hitting around, over and through whomever we put at the net and I really think she has a shot at being the top hitter in the conference," said Knight.

Marzocchi who was last year's defensive specialist, also known as a libero, will now move into the setter position which was vacated by All-CAC first team member Abbey Petrecca.

"The offense will be run by Jaime. She trained hard in the spring to be the next setter and has done a great job getting into up tempo sets," said Knight.

As SU's defensive specialist, the junior played in 121 games and ranked third in the CAC last year with 653 digs. In 2005, Marzocchi played in 125-of-127 games and was third on the team with 349 digs.

Challenging Marzocchi for the setter position will be Katie Moyseenko (Hagerstown, Md.). The freshman will most likely be used to give Marzocchi a few breaks throughout the year in order to keep both players healthy.

Also looking to make an impact on the offense line will be senior Jessica Powell (Salisbury, Md.) along with sophomores Rachael Downes (Salisbury, Md.) and Nicole Massarelli (Clarksville, Md.).

Massarelli played in 122 games, recorded 270 kills, 23 service aces, 116 digs and 84 blocks as she did a little bit of everything for the Gulls in her rookie season.

"Nicole will be a force for us in the middle and is one of the few players returning to their positions from last year," said Knight.

Defense
Sophomore defensive specialist, Gabby Long (Bel Air, Md.), will take over the reigns as the leader of the Gulls defensively. Long is now the starter at defensive setter (libero) since Marzoochi switched positions. Last season Long played in 119 games and made 335 digs.

"Gabby is now our defensive leader as she has taken over the [defensive] setter position. She is quick, decisive and she can run virtually everything down," said Knight.

Freshman newcomer, Annie Belott (Rockville, Md.), will be vital for the Sea Gulls as she will be used in rotation with Long in order to grab valuable game-time minutes and to keep both athletes fresh throughout the entire season.

Schedule
SU has another grueling schedule this year as they start the first month off with five tournaments which include trips to Johns Hopkins, Gettysburg, Swarthmore and then hosting two Salisbury Invitationals. Intermingled in September, between the tournaments, are three CAC matches against Marymount, Wesley and Hood. The Sea Gulls open up October with matches against Villa Julie and Christopher Newport in back-to-back nights followed by a road trip Westminster Md. for the McDaniel Tournament on the weekend of the 13th. The maroon and gold then play three straight home CAC games before closing out the regular-season on the road against Virginia Wesleyan.

"Our schedule is tough," said Knight. "We play CNU twice who is arguably one of the best teams in the south region. We meet up with a New Jersey City team who may have the best hitter in the country and our CAC schedule remains strong as we think St. Mary's (Md.) is now the team to beat."

Summary
Salisbury is a young but experienced team this season and look to get off to a solid start as they are on the road for the first three weeks of the year. Coach Knight will look to Krebs and Marzocchi to lead a team that is seeking their fourth CAC title and are poised to make a run in the NCAA tournament.

"Every player is excited about the season," said Knight. "They like the challenge in practice and we have a couple of freshman who can step right in and give us a boost immediately."