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Added Offense to Balance Women's Volleyball; Season Preview
8/30/2010 5:02:08 PM
Philadelphia, PA – (8/29/2010) – A developing team awaits the challenges of a new season as the Chestnut Hill College women’s volleyball team program enters its third year under Head Coach Kim Feeny. The Griffins have established a defensive presence under Feeny, who now looks to balance the game-plan with an influx of offensive talent. With better communication and another year of comfort between teammates, Coach Feeny is certain the Griffins can challenge any member of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC).
Six starters return in addition to defensive standout, sophomore libero Elisabeth DiGregorio (Conshohocken, PA) who led CACC in digs per game (5.03) and ranked 26th nationally in Division II. DiGregorio’s 518 digs headlined the Griffins’ stellar defensive play in 2009, with sophomore setter Courtney Gallo (Wilmington, DE), sophomore defensive specialist Bobbie Chukuntarod (San Francisco, CA), and junior Alyssa Miller (East Stroudsburg, PA) all recording at least 140 digs. Additional defensive resources include sophomore specialists Linda Zawadzki (Garfield, N.J.) and, transfer, Crystal Mann (Burtonsville, MD).
Gallo set a single-season record with 328 assists last season. She will team with freshman setter Allison Eberly (Orwigsburg, PA) to generate the Griffin offense. A Natural leader, Eberly is always looking to inspire her team. Sophomore middle hitter Cassie Benson (Rosamond, CA) produced a team-high 217 points (2.41 pts/gm) last season, as she paced the Griffins in kills (178) and blocks (46). Senior outside hitters Nicole Corrado (Telford, PA) and Cheryl Quarles (Owings Mills, MD), and sophomore middle hitters Madelynn Ries (Antananarivo, Madagascar), and Megan Nadler (West Deptford, N.J.) join Benson as frontline returners. Corrado enters her third season as captain after recording career-highs in kills (79) and blocks (12), while Quarles set her own career mark last season with 62 kills.
Additional offense will come on the efforts Feeny’s incoming recruits; freshmen Kailey Arlen (Orland Park, IL), Alex DePalama (Shillington, PA), Eberly, Sarah Mattaliano (Coral Springs, FL), and Mary Markowski (Parkton, MD). Arlen and Mattaliano are well-rounded and experienced players who will strengthen the offense with their versatility. DePalama is an energetic competitor that can spark aggressive team play, while Markowski will be an additional force in the Griffin front line.
A defensive focus gave the Griffins new opportunities last season. Coach Feeney is certain her introduction of athleticism and offense will balance and mature to a young and progressing roster. The first test for women’s volleyball comes at home, with a 10:00 a.m. contest against LeMoyne College on Sunday, September 5.
11.08.11
Women's Volleyball
Chestnut Hill 0
Caldwell College 3
(20-25, 16-25, 8-25) Recap
11.01.11
Women's Volleyball
Chestnut Hill 0
Holy Family University* 3
(19-25, 21-25, 15-25) Recap
10.29.11
Women's Volleyball
Chestnut Hill 0
Caldwell College* 3
(20-25, 19-25, 17-25) Recap
10.27.11
Women's Volleyball
Chestnut Hill 1
Wilmington University (Del.)* 3
(25-27, 26-28, 25-23, 15-25) Recap
10.25.11
Women's Volleyball
Chestnut Hill 3
University of the Sciences in Philadelphia* 2
(12-25, 25-23, 25-21, 19-25, 15-12) Recap
10.21.11
Women's Volleyball
Chestnut Hill 3
Post University* 0
(25-23, 25-20, 25-16) Recap
10.18.11
Women's Volleyball
Chestnut Hill 1
Philadelphia University* 3
(25-22, 32-34, 20-25, 14-25) Recap
Athletes of the Week
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Men's Basketball
DiRugeris Earns Second CACC Honorable Mention
New Haven, CT – (1/30/2012) – Including a career performance at Felician College on Saturday, January 28, Chestnut Hill College junior guard Mark DiRugeris Jr. (Woodbury, NJ) averaged 21.5 points-per-game (PPG) while leading the Griffins to two Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) wins last week. For his efforts, DiRugeris was recognized with his second honorable mention for the CACC Player of the Week award.
After providing eight points, a rebound, and an assist in a 72-57 win over Dominican College on January 24, DiRugeris offered a career night in a 15-point triumph, 78-63, at Felician College on January 28. He hit all four of his first-half three-point attempts (4-of-4, 100.0%) to total 18 points in the opening period and carry Chestnut Hill College (12-6, 7-2) to a 15-point halftime advantage. DiRugeris kept the pedal down in the second half, depositing another 17 points and leading the Griffins to victory over Felician College with 35 points, four rebounds, and two assists. For the week, he was 11-of-21 (.524) from the floor, 6-of-8 (.750) from three-point range, and 15-of-16 (.938) from the throw line.
This year, DiRugeris is leading the Griffins in scoring (15.9 PPG), while also contributing 3.2 rebounds-per-game (RPG), 34 assists, four blocks, and 26 steals. He is carrying a .468 (102-of-218) field goal percentage, a .494 (40-of-81) three-point percentage, and a .891 (90-of-101) free throw percentage. DiRugeris earned his first CACC weekly honorable mention for his efforts during the week ending December 11, 2011; 22.0 PPG and 4.7 RPG while totaling 10 assists and six steals in conference wins over Holy Family University (12/6), Wilmington University (12/8), and Caldwell College (12/10).
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Men's Basketball
Saintilus Serves as Honorable Mention
For CACC Rookie of the Week
New Haven, CT – (1/23/2012) – Freshman forward Alssene Saintilus (Irvington, NJ) recorded his first collegiate double-double to lead Chestnut Hill College against Philadelphia University on January 16 and earn himself an honorable mention for this week’s Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Rookie of the Week. Saintilus provided 15 points and ten rebounds in the Griffins 56-42 loss to Philadelphia University, in addition to two blocks and one steal on defense.
Saintilus was 6-of-9 (66.7%) from the field, 1-of-2 (50.0%) from three-point range, and 2-of-4 (50.0%) from the free throw line as the leading performer in last week’s lone contest. Headlining a miserable team shooting performance (14-of-52, 26.9%), Saintilus was a steady performer against the Rams. His consistency helped Chestnut Hill College (12-7, 5-2) keep within range of the Rams, as he offered seven points, six rebounds, a block, and a steal in a 26-9 run that placed the home team one point ahead of their opponents, 38-37, with seven minutes left to play (6:57). Unfortunately, the Griffins struggled to generate offense down the stretch, leaving the Rams to a 19-4 closing run and eventual victory.
Saintilus has recorded double figures in six games this season, while grabbing double digit rebounds twice as a freshman. For the season, he is averaging 8.1 points-per-game (PPG) and 4.1 rebounds-per-game (RPG), while also contributing a team-high 27 blocks, 11 steals, and four assists.
The men’s basketball team returns to action on Tuesday, January 24, when they host Dominican College in a 7:00 p.m. CACC contest.
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