Sept. 18, 2009

By Rob Silvers
UWRF Sports Information

The 2009 Falcon volleyball team will have a new look this season with 13 freshmen making the squad.

Danielle Gibbemeyer (OH), Haley Buchanan (S), Courtney Preiner (L), Mackenzie Suda (S), and Kaitlin Speedling (OH) are a few of the new faces joining the eight returning upperclassmen this season.

Head Coach Patti Ford is very excited about this year’s freshmen class and will be expecting several players to contribute right away.

“Several of our new players come in with a lot of experience in high level volleyball at both the high school and club level,” said Ford. “This really is a special class that adds a lot of depth to this year’s team and sets a solid foundation for the future.”

Two all-state players, Gibbemeyer and Speedling, will add depth to the Falcon core of outside hitters. Speedling, who developed into an excellent all around player at Wabasha-Kellogg High School, will use her outstanding ball control and a versatile serve to torment opponents. Gibbemeyer meanwhile will employ a wide variety of shots and superb knowledge of the game to gain an edge.

“Danielle and Kaitlin are highly talented players,” said Ford. “Both were all-state and bring with them all the tools it takes to play at the high level of volleyball that’s played in the WIAC.”

Suda and Buchanan will be the setters for the team this season. Suda an all-conference player and team MVP her senior year at Blaine High School will be put in charge of running the offense. Her superior athleticism will drive the Falcon offense. Buchanan will also run the Falcon offense at times this season, and Ford will call upon her defensive mindset whenever the Falcons need a defensive stand.

“Mackenzie and Haley are very special players,” said Ford. “They both are quality setters, confident and good leaders, which is what we look for from someone who is going to run our offense.”

Preiner enjoyed a successful career at Hill-Murray High School where she was named all-conference three times. She will play libero this season and will be called upon to be a defensive anchor in the Falcons new defensive scheme. Her athleticism, outstanding ball control and passing ability will be the competitive drive that will hopefully propel River Falls to the top of the conference.

“All of our new women are excellent defensive players,” said Ford. “But Courtney just has a dynamic quality in her defensive play that is going to be a lot of fun to watch.”

While there are a lot of fresh faces fighting to see the court, they also realize that the team’s success is the most important part of the equation.

“Obviously we want to finish in the top tier of the conference, either one or two,” said Preiner. “To do that we have to build team confidence and minimize mistakes early in the season. Everybody on this team has great ability and intensity which will push everyone in games and practice to improve.”

Eight other freshmen join the Falcons this season; Megan Schroeder (OH), Josie Holter (RH), Jamie Michkolichek (MH), Erin Green (MH), Lauren Matask (OH/S) Micha Sater (OH), Abbey Schmidtman (L) and Morgan Wynveen (MH).

“Everybody has a role on this team, and understanding that role and excelling at it will make us stronger,” said Gibbemeyer. “I hope we can make this a year that no one will ever forget.”