YSU VOLLEYBALL Conroy building team around veterans

The coach said three captains will provide the nucleus for improvement.
YOUNGSTOWN -- "Back to the basics" is the mantra for the 2003 Youngstown State volleyball team.
That fundamental perspective of the game has coach Joe Conroy taking a day-by-day approach, setting goals for daily improvement.
"We are going to go back to the way we did things when we found some success by stressing improvement on a daily basis," Conroy said. "We need to let our student-athletes know that they are the heart and soul of our program."
According to Conroy, the Penguins must build around four strengths -- senior leadership, passing, blocking and balance.
"Our veteran players must provide on-court leadership to our underclassmen to help them adjust to the college game," Conroy said.
Veteran leadership
Conroy will look to three three-year letter-winners and team captains -- Beth Boscarelli, Annie Buschur and Colleen Royer -- to provide senior leadership to a relatively young squad.
"We have a strong core with our three senior captains, who will lead this year's team to future successes, and four starters returning," Conroy said.
"Our ball control and passing will be a strength for us this season and will come from a mixture of upperclassmen and newcomers.
"Traditionally, we have always been a good blocking team and I feel we'll continue that pattern," he added.
Setter
One of the four starters returning is sophomore setter Angie Pasquinelli. Last season, Pasquinelli was named to the Horizon League All-Newcomer team, collecting 1,011 assists and averaging 8.79 assists per game.
The Penguins are deep at setter with Boscarelli, who averaged 2.98 assists per game. She also saw a lot of time as a defensive specialist.
"We are fortunate to have two talented setters to run our offense," Conroy said. "Both Beth and Angie bring athleticism to the team and are also solid defensive players."
Outside hitter
Youngstown State has talent at the outside hitter position, but in contrast to last season lacks both depth and experience.
Royer, who led the Penguins in kills (3.16 per game) and digs (2.63) last season, is the only experienced player returning on the outside.
"Colleen is a senior leader who has a lot of court knowledge in the front and back rows," Conroy said. "She will again be one of our top offensive threats and needs to be a floor leader."
Freshman Cari Leslie was a two-time first-team all-district selection at Grafton Midview. She led her high school team to two straight Lorain County Conference Championships.
"Cari is a talented freshman who we feel is going to have a great future on the outside," Conroy said. "She is a well-rounded player with terrific offensive and defensive skills."
Middle hitter
Although the Penguins lost the Horizon League's leading blocker in Michele Batton, YSU will be strong again in the middle.
"We have two upperclassmen with strength, speed, agility and experience in the middle for us," Conroy said.
Buschur, who finished second in the league with 1.22 blocks per game, returns for her fourth year as a middle hitter.
Buschur, a native of New Weston, needs 320 kills and 157 blocks to become just the second player in YSU history to record 1,000 career kills and blocks.
"Annie has become a tireless worker in the middle for us," Conroy said. "She just continues to get stronger and better. We are expecting her to be a defensive force at the net."
Joining Buschur in the middle is junior Melanie Pounders. Last season, Pounders was a starting outside hitter for the Penguins, but is moving back inside.
The 6-foot middle hitter averaged 1.78 kills and 1.77 digs per game last season.
"Melanie hits the quick sets really well and has played in the middle for us during her freshman year, so I don't think there will be much of an adjustment for her," Conroy said.
Also slated to see time at middle hitter are sophomores Abby Ettenhofer and Katie Shea.
Opposite side hitter
The opposite side hitter position also has talent but is thin in experience.
Junior Lori Lyman returns as the sole returning starter on the right side. Lyman, who played through severe knee pain all season, averaged 1.70 kills and 1.66 digs per game.
"Lori is a seasoned right-side hitter who will bring strength to that position in the front and back rows," Conroy said. "She has great hands and a quick hitting motion."
Sophomore Crystal Duncan will also see action on the right side.
Defensive specialists
An area of concentration for Conroy during the past recruiting season was in the back row. Conroy saw a need for better passing and signed a pair of defensive specialists and liberos.
The Penguins signed Janelle McDonald and Amanda Cindric to play major roles in their defensive scheme.
"Both Amanda and Janelle have great ball control and will help our program immediately in the back row," Conroy said. "So much of volleyball is being able to stay within your system, and having players that can pass the ball is vital. We feel we found two players that can help us in that area."