The women's volleyball squad has been preparing for their upcoming season. The roster of 10 players has been working hard on the court and off the court with their pre-season workout. Head Coach Rachael Salvione has the deepest roster she has ever had in her career and it will give them a lot of depth throughout the season.
Photo: Head Coach Rachael Salvione leads a drill with her team during practice.
The Raiders return three key starters from last year's team. Jenna Putnam, outside hitter who received many awards last season. She was named the 2015 Mountain Valley Conference Player of the year, 2015 second team All-Region, team MVP and FMCC Female Player of the Year. The Orminski twins are back as Emily, setter, co-captain and Brittany Orminski, Libero, co-captain are all vital players to reaching the goals that the team has in place.
Salvione brings on new local talent to the squad in Bri Eagan, Middle Hitter from Mayfield. Miranda
Nethaway, middle hitter and Gianna Cruz, outside hitter both from Fonda. Ruverlyn Marrero, defense specialist from Schenectady. Brittini Nestle, freshman defense specialist from Canajoharie. Gabrielle Smith setter and Megan Ryder right side hitter, both from Broadalbin.
Photo: Bri Eagan goes up for a spike.
The team has been working on a lot of conditioning, a lot of drills working on communication, accuracy and efficiency, and a lot of drills working on several different offensive and defensive aspects of the game. "Our strengths will be having such a large group of versatile players, said Salvione. There are several well rounded all around players and we will have the ability to work in several different rotations. So many of the girls can set, pass, and hit. We will have the ability to rest our athletes more than we have in the past with a roster of 10 which makes us extremely lucky. Our focus this year is to be as efficient as possible, to be head strong in the crucial moments where the mental aspects of the game determine our wins and losses."
The last two seasons have been extremely successful for the Raiders, and with only rosters of 7 players. This year the team can work on perfecting different line-ups and offenses, which will give FM an advantage this year that they haven't had in previous seasons.
The team goal is to obviously advance further than they have in the last two seasons and to
secure a spot in the regional tournament. "Every team strives to be a contender and that is our goal this year as well. Every player on the squad brings something different to our team, and we plan to use every bit of that talent to the best of our ability. The athletes on the squad this year have been working hard at every practice and we all want the same outcome; to win regionals. I am already proud of these girls, and we have extremely high hopes for this season," exclaimed Salvione.
Photo (right): Jenna Putnam works around the blocking of Megan Ryder and Miranda Nethaway.
FM begins its 2016 schedule on Saturday, September 3rd when they travel to Jefferson CC to compete in their invitational. The Lady Raiders will return home on Wednesday, September 7th when they host Adirondack CC in the Raiders Den. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m.
Photo (below): Brittini Nestle, Brittany Orminski & Ruverlyn Marrero work on defense.
