JOHNSTOWN – The Lady Raiders are expected to be serious contenders for the 2014 conference crown, and their season will open with a top-level opponent on Wednesday. FM will host the defending Region 3 champion Lady Timberwolves of SUNY Adirondack at 7:00 p.m. in the Raiders Den.
Head Coach Rachael Salvione's squad finished third in the seven-team Mountain Valley Conference (MVC) tournament last season, and this season's team looks even better than the 2013 team. The current team features strong returnees and transfers, along with some impressive freshmen.
Photo, from left: Seniors Whitney Ostrander, Elizabeth Hayward, Kaylee Gillen, Karissa Morey, and Zara Hyde
Standout sophomore Whitney Ostrander heads the list of returnees. Ostrander led the team in kills and blocks last season, was named to the MVC All-Tournament Team, and has been named a Co-Captain for the 2014 campaign.
Kaylee Gillen is the other Co-Captain. The scrappy defensive specialist played for FM, then laid out last season, and is back with plenty of enthusiasm.
Versatile Liz Hayward is another returnee from last year's team. Hayward made many positive contributions to the team throughout the season.
Two impressive transfer players round out the "senior five." Zara Hyde played for Herkimer CCC and was named to the Region 3 All-Tournament Team. Karissa Morey played for SUNY Delhi. Their varsity experience is a welcome addition to the FM team.
Photo: Co-Captains Kaylee Gillen and Whitney Ostrander
Four freshmen – Ayasia Hopkins, Chelsey Ellison, Kaylee Robinson, and Katlyn Pierce – round out the roster. The 5' 10" Pierce was a multi-year standout at Gloversville High School, and she is expected to transition smoothly to the college game.
The opening night contest will probably be FM's toughest conference challenge of the season. Adirondack won the Region 3 championship last season, defeating Jamestown in five sets after having lost the fourth set. The Lady T-Wolves have a strong roster for 2014, including returning All-Region First Team player Rachael Lumley and Conference All-Tournament Team member Madison Paquin.
The game will be FM's first of the season. Adirondack is 3-0, but all three of their games have been with non-conference, non-region teams.
Assistant Coach Tina Oyler assessed this FM team, stating "We have a solid core of players, and we're eager to play against the best teams in the region."
Head Coach Salvione added, "We have a stronger team this season. We finished third in the conference last year, and our goal is to finish higher this year." When asked about playing a top team on opening night, Salvione replied, "It will be an interesting test, and then we'll expect to meet Adirondack again at tournament time. Both they and we should be even better then."
C.J. Bonny, website writer
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