SALISBURY, Md. - The Salisbury University
volleyball team recorded its fourth consecutive 20 win season in
2006 and also achieved milestones to highlight the season.
Abbey Petrecca set a school record for assists in
her four year career and head coach Margie Knight won her 200th
career game.
On September 9, Knight reached the 200 win plateau with a win
against the University of Scranton, 3-1. It has taken her ten years
to compile a record of 217-137 where she averaged nearly 22 wins a
year.
"It shows the consistency of the program over the years as we
have averaged 20 wins a season," said Knight. "The quality of
players that have come through the program have been very good."
Petrecca led the Gulls to a 22-13 record and a 5-2 Capital
Athletic Conference mark. She recorded 1,146 assists on the season
in 117 games. The senior setter boosted her career numbers to a
school record 4,708 assists, with a 9.65 assists per game average.
"She had an outstanding senior season," said Knight. "She tore
her ACL at the end of last season and worked extremely hard during
the spring to get ready for the year. She had an impact that will
last a long time."
Petrecca, along with sophomore outside hitter, Stacey
Krebs, earned first team 2006 All-CAC honors. Krebs led
the team in kills on the year with 440.
The Sea Gulls hit full stride early in the season when they went
on a seven match win streak. During that span, Salisbury swept
matches against City College, Johns Hopkins, St. Mary's (Md.),
Washington and Hood. Despite a CAC semifinal loss to Gallaudet to
end the season the Sea Gulls earned a number two seed in the
conference tournament and won five of its final seven conference
matches.
"Overall we played extremely well," said Knight. "At times we
were playing some of the best ball in the conference."
The game of the year for the Sea Gulls was its September 26
rematch with Gallaudet. Four days prior Salisbury fell, 3-1, to the
Bison in the Salisbury Invitational but avenged the loss in a
five-match thriller.
"The atmosphere of that match and being able to beat them just a
few days after they beat us was great," said Knight. "That was a
big win for us and one that built a lot of confidence."
Salisbury brings back a big part of last season's offensive
production as it returns 79 percent of its kills (1,258/1,600) and
87 percent of its service aces (309/356). Salisbury had great
contributions from its young talent this season as sophomore
Jaime Marzoochi ranked third in the CAC in digs
per game with 5.4, sophomore Lucy Rushing ranked
second in the CAC in hitting percentage at .313 and freshman
Savannah Tinsley ranked first in the conference in
service aces per game at 0.76.
"We had a very young team with only three upperclassmen," said
Knight. "This was a season to learn for us and we got better as the
season went on. All the girls that are returning are dynamic
players."
The Sea Gulls will look to use this season as a stepping stone
to next season as they try for their first CAC title since 2004 and
fourth overall.
"I think we are going to be a force in the conference next
season," said Knight. "Hopefully we'll be able to do it region wise
as well. We've been on the cusp and now we need to get back to the
NCAA tournament."
Team Awards
MVP: Abbey Petrecca
Most Improved: Lucy Rushing
Coaches' Award: Stacey Krebs, Nicole
Massarelli
Game of the Year: September 26 vs. Gallaudet, 3-2
win
