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Volleyball Team Returns From Training At Beach
Eagles Continue 2001 Preparation After Week in Ocean City, Md.

Aug. 20, 2001

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- American University's volleyball team resumed regular practice on Monday after a week-long training session in Ocean City, Md., in preparation for the 2001 season. The Eagles open their season on Aug. 31 against Coastal Carolina at the two-day Davidson Classic.

Coming off one of its most successful seasons in AU history, the team is out to prove that last season was no fluke. A 26-4 overall mark and an 11-1 record in conference play, along with a slew of post-season awards, including a Coach of the Year nod for head coach Barry Goldberg, is hard to match. But the Eagles are up for the challenge.

The 2000 season closed on a disappointing note despite all of the accolades and records, as the team was excluded from the NCAA Tournament despite its league-best record and impressive overall mark. But that is a distant memory for this 2001 squad as the Goldberg and his Eagles now have their sights set on the challenges of their new Patriot League foes and capturing the league tournament crown to gain the accompanying automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

"I would love to be as successful as we were last season but I know this is a new team and it will take some time," said Goldberg. "We are simply striving for a good balance and team chemistry that allows us to continue improving and succeeding."

The Eagles' Attack
One of the veterans who will rise to the occasion this season is junior Judit Szekelyhidi. An All-CAA First-Team selection last season, Szekelyhidi played in all 99 of American's games as a sophomore and boasted a .342 attack percentage, the second best average in the conference. She led the team in blocks and picked up five double-doubles on the season. The middle blocker will be a major contributor to this season's team providing excellent height at 6'1" along with athleticism and experience.

Another strong role player for the Eagles this season will be right side hitter Karla Kucerkova. A 6'3" sophomore, Kucerkova provides tremendous blocking ability and excellent ball-handling skills.

Returning for her senior season with the Eagles is Eneida Muzhaqi. As the lone senior on the team, the 6'2" outside hitter with a strong arm will be looked to as a source of leadership and knowledge by her younger teammates throughout the year.

Leadership will also be provided by sophomore Natalie Hand as she became the force in the back row for the Eagles during her freshman year. A gutsy competitor, Hand brings the team together with her energy and toughness.

"We have pretty good size this season so controlling the net will be a priority," Goldberg said. "Attacking and blocking effectively will make us a very competitive Patriot League team."

Assisting the Kills
The void left by AU record-holding setter Sylvia Panak may be filled by Sabrina Vasconcelos who redshirted her freshman season but will compete for the starting position this year.

"It's hard to replace the kind of leadership that Sylvia provided last season," noted Goldberg. "A good setter with a commanding presence and experience is hard to come by so we will be looking for that in our setter this year."

The New Kids
The Class of 2005 is a very promising group that has the coaching staff at American extremely enthusiastic about the immediate and long-term impact it is capable of providing.

Standing at an even six-feet tall, Courtney Mulford will compete for the starting setter job. Mulford has received excellent experience as the All-North County's MVP at La Costa High School in San Diego, Calif., and a member of the prestigious San Diego Club Team.

Also adding some height to the Eagles this season will be Catherine Fluegeman, a 6'1" middle blocker from Muncie, Ind., who helped the Munciana Junior National Team to the national championship. Her wealth of experience as a three-time All-County and All-State selection will make her a threat for a starting position.

Stepping in to help fill the void left by Maria Zhuravleva and Ajola Berisha will be Kalamazoo, Mich., native and all-state honoree Erin Allgaier and Daria Bobko who joins the Eagles from her native Moscow. Each provides excellent size up front with Allgaier standing 6'0" and Bobko towering as a lefthander at 6'3".

Jessica Tuthill, a 5'5" defensive specialist from Sunapee, N.H., adds to the Eagles' depth as a former All-State selection. She will be looking to split time with Hand on the court.

Rookie middle blocker Natacha Cornaz may be only 5'10" but her ability and experience make her an excellent prospect for the Eagles. Cornaz played with the Swiss Junior and National teams for the past three years and she has the ablility to be a force in the collegiate ranks this year.

"We are looking for at least two of our freshmen to be starters right from the beginning of the season," said Goldberg. "We've never been this young of a team before, so it will be interesting to see which newcomers will step up and play big roles for this team."

The 2001 Schedule
The opponents on the Eagles' 2001 Patriot League schedule remain as unknown as the capabilities of Goldberg's young squad this year.

"Much of our first year in the Patriot League will be learning about our new opponents and what makes them tick," he said. "I know not to take any team lightly and,as is the case anytime during the season, you have to expect the unexpected. If you're not ready to play, no matter who it's against, it is not a pleasant outcome."

Dominating the league will be a goal for the team this season but it also wants to prove itself ready for competition on the national level.

"We?ll see how ready this young team is to compete against national powerhouses, such as Long Beach State (top-10 team), in the second week of the season," Goldberg said. "We'll see how the dynamics of this group develop over the course of the season and we'll know where we have to go in the near future to become a really great volleyball program."