With all eight Ivy League volleyball squads starting play this Saturday, it is fitting that we bring you the 2013 Ivy season preview now. As has been the case for the last few years, everyone is chasing Yale, with the Bulldogs going for their fourth straight Ivy League title. Can anyone dethrone the dominant Elis?
The favorites
Yale: The answer to the question above is “probably not.” The Bulldogs are pretty far ahead of everyone else in the Ivies at the moment, especially when looking at the five-game advantage they had over second place in last year’s standings. It certainly doesn’t hurt that Yale returns two-time Ivy Player of the Year Kendall Polan, who was a major part of the Elis three straight titles. Expect Yale to put together another strong Ivy season, although it may not end with another undefeated Ivy record.
Stuck in the middle
Penn: The Quakers might be Yale’s top competition in the Ancient Eight, as the Red and Blue bring back some strong parts from last year’s squad. Yes, they do lose some talented pieces with Amanda Pacheco graduating and Emma White out indefinitely, but having Dani Shepherd, Alex Caldwell and a strong freshman class should ease the blow. Penn was second last year in points per set, and the standings may well reflect that this season.
Columbia: While the Lions finished in second place last season, they may be about to take a step backwards. With their leader in blocks (Heather Braunagel) and kills (Megan Gaughn) gone, along with the presence of Kelsey Musselman graduated as well, Columbia loses three of its best players. However, the Lions do return co-captain Colleen Brennan, who should help soften that blow.
Princeton: The Tigers lose arguably their best player with first-team all-Ivy Lydia Rudnick graduated, but the team remains relatively strong. That’s because they return two All-Ivy players in Ginny Willis and Tiana Woolridge. Furthermore, Princeton added a trio of outside hitters in its most recent recruiting class, which should help replace Rudnick.
Harvard: Last season, the Crimson finished in the middle of the pack within the Ancient Eight and it is tough to see them rising much higher. They lost a pair of strong seniors in first team All-Ivy outside hitter Taylor Docter and setter Beth Kinsella, but Harvard also adds five freshmen, giving the team tremendous depth. It remains to be seen whether it will make enough of a difference in the standings.
SEE ALSO
Quakers to rely on their good Shepherd
Stuecheli ready to lead Penn volleyball past Yale
Penn volleyball freshmen enter at different levels
An old maxim: freshmen learn by way of teaching
Powerful performances at the Palestra: The top moments of 2012
Cornell: While the Big Red finished with just five wins in Ivy play last year, they could be a step up this year. Their roster last season featured just two seniors and they also return their top six in kills per set. What they get from their recruiting class is a question mark, but with so much offensive experience returning, Cornell could be a team to watch in the fall.
The cellar dwellers
Brown: After just three wins a season ago, the Bears return the leaders in most of their statistical categories, including Maddie Lord (kills), Alexandra Rieckhoff (assists) and Kathryn Conner (digs). Therefore, Brown could make a move towards the middle of the Ivy standings, with its top players one year more experienced.
Dartmouth: Two seasons ago, Dartmouth set a school record with eight Ivy victories but took a significant step back last season, notching just one Ivy win. Now, the Big Green have by far the youngest roster among the Ancient Eight, featuring eight freshmen and just six upperclassmen. It is tough to see the squad moving too far up the Ivy ranks with its definitive lack of experience.
SEE ALSO
Quakers to rely on their good Shepherd
Stuecheli ready to lead Penn volleyball past Yale
Penn volleyball freshmen enter at different levels
An old maxim: freshmen learn by way of teaching
Powerful performances at the Palestra: The top moments of 2012
