Volleyball Fall 2021 Preview
The No. 14 Lady Saints open their Fall 2021 Season at the NMMI Classic Tournament, beginning play against New Mexico Military Institute at 2 PM Central Time. The nightcap match at 6 PM will square off the No. 14 Lady Saints against national powerhouse, Salt Lake Community College. On Saturday, Pima Community College will be the first opponent before the big matchup against the No. 3 Snow College Badgers.
Coach Geno Frugoli discussed how the team has been able to come together in the first three weeks of practice as they got ready for the season. "We went from 10 players and eight that could really play to having a full team of 14 players that can really play." Frugoli continued, " So the culture in the gym has been so much better and all of the girls are focused on having a better attitude in the gym than last year."
Seward County returns four student-athletes to their roster that was a part of the 2020-21 season. The Lady Saints fell in the Region VI championship match just five months ago to Barton Community College in the Greenhouse. The Lady Saints were not selected for an at-large bid for the National Tournament and will start the season with a chip on their shoulder.
Coach Frugoli discussed the sophomore's return and what he expects from them, "Our Sophomores are coming back knowing what is expected and they are leading the nine new players that we have." Frugoli added, "We are doing things the right way and we are more on track than we were this time last year."
The nine new players bring versatility and depth to the already talented team. Coach Frugoli discussed the freshman setter Berfin Mertcan, "She is not only a dynamic player and everything seems to flow smoothly through her in our offense but is also a great person, and the team has really embraced her." He went on about the new freshman, "We have a lot of little pieces with our new girls that really complement our veterans so well."
Be sure to follow the team and the following players as they begin their quest for a National Championship. We will have coverage on all social media platforms under SewardSaints and we will provide live stream information as well.
Team Breakdown:
#1 Ana Brangioni - The 6'1 Brazilian, Ana joined the Saints right before last season and has become the leader of the team. Watch out for her serves as she led the team last year in aces.
#2 Skylar Wyllie - A middle hitter from Lindale, Texas, Skylar will be one of the Lady Saints top defensive players with her timing on her blocks.
#3 Brooke Katen - Returning for her second season Brooke Katen from Maryville, Missouri led the Lady Saints last season with 51 total blocks.
#4 Ana Cambraia - Cambraia is a freshman outside hitter from Belo Horizonte, Brazil that has great touch at the net and will provide a powerful attack from the outside.
#5 Michell Jerez - A very skilled Libero Jerez is from Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic, and can get to any ball hit in her vicinity.
#6 Laura Almeida - Almeida comes to Liberal from Niteroi, Brazil, and has a knack for the ball and will help defensively to keep the ball in play in any way possible.
#7 Seyun Park - A sophomore returner Park is originally from Anyang, South Korea, and was named to the second-team all-conference team last year with her dominance in the middle.
#8 Gabriela Badilla - Badilla is from San Felipe, Chile, and led the team last season in total kills with 316 and earned first-team all-conference honors.
#10 Malena Catala - A freshman this year Catala arrives in Seward County from Buenos Aires, Argentina, and will provide a skilled outside hitter with great defensive tendencies.
#11 Sarah Cruz - Cruz is originally from Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic, and is an outside hitter with a booming attack that will echo in the gym.
#12 Berfin Mertcan - The freshman setter Mertcan will be the heart of the offense the Izmir, Turkey native provides a skilled touch that allows the offense to thrive.
#14 Jessica Sales - Sales is originally from Rio De Janiero, Brazil, and is a front-row utility player that brings a lot of skill and power to the front row.
#15 Ileim Terrero - A sophomore Terrero from Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic led the Lady Saints last season with 723 assists and has a great touch to set any position at the right time.
#16 Logan Dodge - A freshman from Liberal, Kansas, Dodge has a great touch with her sets and is skilled all around the court, and will look to help the Lady Saints at any position throughout the season.