2006-media-guide-community

Christie Gustafson

Senior

Outside Hitter

Nadiege Honore

Junior

Outside Hitter

2006 Media Guide

April London

Sophomore

Setter

Siena

and the Capital District

Table of Contents

Siena and the Capital District. . . Inside Front Cover

Content/Quick Facts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

The College . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Siena’s Franciscan Tradition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

The Capital Region. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

The Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

2006 Outlook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7

Coaching Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

The Captain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Upperclassmen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-15

Newcomers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-16

2005 Statistics and Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

2005 MAAC Results. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Year in Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

2006 Opponents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. . . . . . . . 21

Athletic Support Services . . . . . . . . . . . . 22-23

Siena College Administration . . . . . . . . . . 24-25

Siena College Head Coaching Staff . . . . . . . . 25

Saints in the Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26-27

Saints in the Classroom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

The Record Book. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29-32

Siena Athletics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

TV/Radio Roster . . . . . . . . . . inside back cover

2006 Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . back cover

2006 Volleyball Roster

Jason Rich ’98

Sports Information Director/

Volleyball Contact

Stephen Dombroski ’04

Asst. Sports Information Director

Joe Burek

Sports Information

Graduate Assistant

NO NAME Class POS HT Hometown/High School

2 Elizabeth Akin JR OH 6-0 Monument, Colo./Palmer

3 Christie Gustafson SR OH 6-0 Rochester, N.Y./Gates Chili

5 Kelly Hummel SO M/RS 6-0 Hamburg, N.Y./Frontier

6 Nadiege Honore JR OH 6-0 San Fernando, Trinidad/Naparima Girls

7 Kathi Kobayashi SO DS 5-1 Aiea, Hawaii/Punahou

8 Celeste Sisson SO DS 5-7 Charleston, N.Y./Fonda-Fultonville

10 Janine Pesusich JR MH 6-1 Farmington Hills, Mich./Marian

11 Kaui Robello FR S/DS 5-7 Honolulu, Hawaii/Punahou

14 Emily Kruglik SO MH 6-3 Coventry, Conn./Coventry

16 Andrea McBride FR OH/DS 5-10 Hicksville, N.Y./Trinity

19 Burgandy McCurty FR M/RS 5-11 Port Washington, N.Y./Schreiber

20 April London SO S 5-10 Woodbury, Minn./Woodbury

23 Jessica Hackett JR S/DS 5-8 Pawling, N.Y./Pawling

Coaching Staff: Head Coach – Garvey Pierre

Assistant Coaches – Tim Stewart, Jennifer Sangiacomo

Quick

Facts

Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Loudonville, N.Y.

Enrollment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,900

Founded. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1937

Nickname. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Saints

Colors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Green and Gold

Facility/Capacity. . . . . . . . . Alumni Recreation Center/4,000

Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Metro Atlantic Athletic

President. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fr. Kevin E. Mackin, O.F.M.

Director of Athletics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John D’Argenio

Associate Athletic Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joyce Eggleston

Associate Athletic Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dennis Bates

Assistant Athletic Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kim Moutz

Corporate Sales Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Scott Knapp

Athletic Marketing Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . Camelia Trahan

Administrative Secretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Megan Gilligan

Coaches’ Secretary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sybille Cowan

Athletic Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (518) 783-2450

Athletic Fax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (518) 783-2992

Team Information

2005 Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20-12

Conference Record/Finish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2/2nd

Starters Returning/Lost. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 + libero/2

Letterwinners Returning/Lost. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11/4

Volleyball Information

Head Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Garvey Pierre

Career Record. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34-49/4th Season

Record at Siena. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Same

Assistant Coaches . . . . . . Tim Stewart, Jennifer Sangiacomo

Office Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (518) 786-5044

Email . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . gpierre@siena.edu

Sports Information

Sports Information Director. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jason Rich

Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (518) 783-2411

Email . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . jrich@siena.edu

Asst. SID. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stephen Dombroski

Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (518) 783-2377

Email . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . sdombroski@siena.edu

Fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (518) 783-2992

The 2006 Siena College Volleyball Media Guide is published

by the Siena College Sports Information Office. It was written

and edited by Jason Rich, sports information director.

It may be purchased for $6 in the Marcelle Athletic Complex, or

by mail for $8. To do so, please send a check or money order to:

Siena College Sports Information Office, 515 Loudon Road,

Loudonville, N.Y. 12211-1462. Make check payable to Siena

College Athletics.

Design by: Jan Jarvis, Willow Graphics.

Printing by: Walter Snyder Printer, Inc., Troy, N.Y.

Photography by: Stockton Photo, Inc.

Albany and Capital District photos courtesy of Albany County

Convention and Visitors Bureau, Inc.

For more information about the Siena College volleyball

program, please contact the Siena College Volleyball Office,

515 Loudon Road, Loudonville, N.Y. 12211-1462

Phone: (518) 786-5041 or (877) GO-SIENA (toll free)

Siena College Volleyball 2006 Email: gpierre@siena.edu

This is Siena

Siena College is a community of 2,900 men and women offering degrees in

Liberal Arts, Business, and Science. Founded in 1937, Siena is a coeducational,

independent, liberal arts college with a Franciscan and Catholic tradition.

Student-focused professors are at the heart of a supportive learning

community that prepares students for careers, an active role in their community,

and for the real world.

An independent Board of Trustees governs the College. An active Board of

Associate Trustees serves to strengthen the relationship between the campus

and the surrounding community.

Recognizing that its students come from varied racial, ethnic and cultural

backgrounds, Siena College supports the creation of a multi-cultured environment

for all of its students. The internal growth and development of Siena has

been continuous. In response to the changing needs of the times, the Siena

curriculum allows flexibility and individual choice for all undergraduates.

The Secret of Siena’s Success

What keeps Siena College among “America’s Best?” Since its founding,

Siena has been a community where care and concern for the intellectual,

personal and social growth of all students is paramount.

The overwhelming sense of community spirit at Siena grabs your attention the

moment you arrive on campus. It is a place where your friends are your neighbors,

your professors are your friends, and just about everyone calls you by

your name. The one on one interaction in the classroom and personal attention

to each individual is why students call Siena “home.”

Academics

Siena believes that a liberal arts education

provides our graduates with

the necessary skills to succeed.

Students can choose among 26 majors

in liberal arts, science and business.

All majors require coursework in

English, history, philosophy, religious

studies, fine arts, the social sciences

and natural science as part of Siena’s

core curriculum.

Siena also offers more than a dozen

cooperative and special programs to

suit a variety of professional interests.

The Siena/Albany Medical College

Program features a medical education

with a distinct ethical dimension, the

first of its kind in America. Certificate

programs are also available in theatre,

peace and international studies, foreign

languages, and business. All certificate

programs offer students a concentration

of experience that enhances their majors and increases their career options.

Other popular choices include Study Abroad, the Siena in London program,

the Washington Semester, an MBA program with Clarkson University, and

several cooperative engineering programs.

Siena’s liberal arts education prepares every student for entry into professions

or to graduate school. Each year Siena graduates more

than 700 students who are eagerly accepted by leading

corporations, the public sector and into America’s

most prestigious graduate programs.

Student Life

The proud sense of community

and spirit on the Siena

campus is directly linked to the students. Their

energy and enthusiasm is present in every

aspect of the College. Approximately 90 percent

of Siena’s freshmen live on campus,

and accommodations range from traditional

residence halls to suites and townhouses.

The student population is more influential

than most would imagine. There are more

than 70 student-run clubs, teams, committees,

intramural sports, and various other

programs to choose from. There is an

activity for virtually every interest. It is

student pride and activism that keeps

the Siena campus alive and strong.

2 Siena College Volleyball 2006

Understanding Siena’s Franciscan Tradition

The Catholic, Franciscan tradition is Siena’s founding tradition, and this

tradition remains alive at Siena where it engages students, faculty, staff,

administrators of diverse backgrounds.

Franciscan education is affective learning. It occurs in

the personal interactions of faculty, students, and student

affairs staff; it prepares students to address real

issues in our contemporary world, and to raise critical

questions. Siena has adopted a multicultural plan to

foster its Franciscan commitment to being a community

which reflects and appreciates the ethnic and cultural

richness of the college community.

The Franciscan tradition plays out in the two crucial areas of college life.

First, Siena’s Franciscan identity requires us to be a student-centered community.

It requires faculty, staff, and administrators to respect each student,

to work with students attentively, to communicate a sense of enjoyment

at being part of this college. Students work together in programs

which range from peer tutoring in the college to volunteering in the larger

community. The emphasis on volunteering means that not only does

Campus Ministry run an extensive volunteer program, but student organizations

carry out volunteer programs as part of being chartered by the College.

Many colleges say they are student-centered, but

Siena’s Catholic, Franciscan vision of human life

is essentially communal. It knows that life is

lived in, with, and for, other human beings. At

the same time, it respects the

irreplaceable dignity of the individual and the

individual’s freedom of conscience. This communal

and respectful experience begins

within the college community and is

carried out into the larger society.

Second, the Franciscan

tradition provides resources

which contribute to our

academic excellence. Saint

Francis called himself

simple and unlearned,

but he had a profound

and coherent understanding

of human identity,

social life, and the

physical world. This

understanding began

with careful attention

to the real experience

of being human, living in a community, being situated in a particular place,

but then he put this experience in the context of a tradition. He could also

listen to and learn from people formed by other traditions.

Siena’s Franciscan tradition guides Siena in creating a curriculum which

stimulates individual intellectual growth and civic responsibility, connecting

knowledge and action.

The Franciscan tradition also focuses us on pedagogical strategies which

are both critical and interactive. It is the reason we limit our class sizes, it

is the reason we emphasize the relationship between faculty and students.

At Siena, education is understood as a transformative experience: personal

interaction, introduction into the traditions of human social life, and assuming

responsibility.

Siena College The Facts

Enrollment: Approximately 2,900 undergraduates: 53% women, 47% men.

Student-Faculty Ratio: 14:1

Class sizes range from 15-35

Location: Suburban, 155-acre campus two miles north of Albany, less

than three hours from New York City and Boston.

Majors

B.A.: American Studies, Classics, Creative Arts, Economics, English,

Environmental Studies, French, History, Mathematics, Philosophy, Political

Science, Psychology, Religious Studies, Social Work, Sociology, Spanish

B.S.: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, Finance,

Marketing & Management, Physics

B.B.A: Accounting

Computers

All Siena students have free Internet and e-mail access; students

have 24-hour access to campus-wide computer system; Siena maintains

specialized computer labs for Arts, Science, and Business students.

Student-Computer Ratio: 12:1.

Student Life

80 percent of students live on campus in residence halls, suites or

townhouses. More than 60 organizations, including Karate Club, Ski

Club, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Multicultural Center, Model UN, Stage

Three, Students Events Board, and 88.3 FM-WVCR.

Marcelle Athletic Complex (“The MAC”) features exercise equipment,

swimming pool, racquet and squash courts, aerobics, an elevated,

banked running track and basketball courts.

18 NCAA Division I sports (7 for men, 11 for women); 20 intramural

and club activities.

Costs

$28,260 (tuition, room and board and fees

in 2005-2006)

Approximately 85 percent of Siena students receive

financial aid.

Siena College Volleyball 2006 3

The Capital Region

Albany...and Beyond

Pick the ideal location for a city. Make it a port

on a seagoing river, and root it in history almost a

century older than the United States itself. Let it be

a seat of government, but situate it among three of

the most beautiful mountain ranges in the country.

For the adventurous spirit, position it equidistant

from New York, Boston, and Montreal, and you have

the Capital Region—one of the most dynamic capital

areas in the nation.

Albany’s prime location, stable economy and quality

of living are luring an increasingly diverse population

to the Capital Region. From large corporations to

seedling businesses and flourishing arts organizations,

the region provides the goods and services to

sustain each.

The 152-acre Siena College campus is located in the

suburban community of Loudonville, just two miles

north of the New

York State capital.

Nearly one million

people live and

work in the

Capital Region,

and more than

50,000 students

live and learn in

the region’s 14 colleges and universities.

If it is entertainment one seeks, you need not look

far. The picturesque town of Saratoga Springs is

located only 20 minutes north, and is home to the

Saratoga Performing Arts Center, an amphitheatre

which draws famous acts for anyone’s taste. In the

summer, the serene town transforms into the mecca

of thoroughbred racing, drawing over half a million

fans to view its exciting races annually.

The Pepsi Arena,

located in downtown

Albany, hosts some of the

country’s top entertainment acts,

and doubles as the home of the area’s

premiere sporting events as well. The

Albany River Rats of the International Hockey

League, the Albany Conquest of the Arena2 Football

League and the Siena men’s basketball team all play

home games in the arena.

Outdoor fun takes students skiing on some of the best

trails in the Northeast, hiking in the Adirondacks, or

boating on the Hudson or Mohawk Rivers.

It’s that simple. This is a place of entertainment and

excitement, of history and beauty. From daydream to

fact, the Capital Region is fulfilling the highest

expectations of a diverse and growing community.

4 Siena College Volleyball 2006

The Program

2006 graduate Liz Hubbard capped off

one of the most decorated seasons any

Siena student-athlete has ever had with

a selection to the 2005 MAAC

Tournament Team after keying Siena’s

Championship. Hubbard was named

MAAC Woman of the Year, MAAC

Humanitarian of the Year and selected to

the First-Team All-District ESPN The

Magazine All-Academic Team. Hubbard

performed a service internship in Kenya

the summer prior to her senior year as

part of the nationally renowned Siena

College/Albany Medical College program

in Science, Humanities and Medicine.

Opportunity

With a full-time coaching staff in place, the Siena volleyball program

becomes increasingly dedicated to providing each student-athlete with the

opportunity to become the best volleyball player she can be; however, this

is not the number one priority. Any

athletic success without paralleled

academic achievement is viewed as a

hollow victory. As a result, volleyball

will always take a back seat to academics

and a player’s family values

at Siena.

Student-athletes strive to succeed

at Siena for a variety of reasons. The

combination of having each class at

Siena taught by actual professors,

and having a low student/professor

ratio, helps foster an environment in

which learning is cutting-edge and

exciting. Siena student-athletes

quickly realize the academic success

they attain will translate into opportunities,

and eventually, successful

careers beyond college. The Capital

Region provides an ideal locale for

such opportunities to be pursued,

as countless internships are readily

available to students.

Balancing Volleyball

and Academics

Siena women’s volleyball has a proud

tradition of success both on the court

and in the classroom. Five MAAC

Championships (1993, 1994, 1995,

1996, 2005) and three American

Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA)

awards for academic distinction

(1994, 1995, 2005) – presented to

teams that boast a 20-win season

and a 3.3 team grade-point average –

highlight the program’s long list of

distinctions. The Saints returned to the

NCAA Tournament last season for the second time in

program history (1995); proving academic and athletic

achievement can go hand-in-hand. To that end, there is

perhaps no greater tribute to the Siena volleyball program

than the successes achieved by its alumni. Recent

graduates have become doctors, lawyers, educators,

medical researchers, psychologists and accountants in

national firms. Other alumni have moved on to different countries and top

graduate schools to pursue their dreams.

The Future

With the injection of full grant-in-aid scholarships, the Siena coaching staff

now has the luxury of recruiting exceptional high school athletes, while

remaining committed to bringing in the type of individual who is rich in

character and has demonstrated the capability to thrive at Siena. Coach Pierre

also has the added benefit of being the first full-time head coach in the history

of the program, meaning he and his staff will be on-campus full-time to

work toward the development of the storied Siena program. The staff has

singled out four goals they hope to discover in every recruit, each illustrating

a particular quality of an individual’s constitution.

The first goal is to find athletes who are willing to pay the price in the classroom

and excel academically – students who realize they can open more doors

in the world with a sound education than a hard spike. Second, the aim is

to discover proven leaders – athletes who are not afraid to be the go-to players

when the score is tied late in the match.

Third, the goal is to

find athletes who have

the unique ability to

make the players

around them better –

students who demonstrate

knowledge of

the importance of

teamwork and team

chemistry.

Finally, the staff looks

for something many

Division I schools do

not. The Siena

coaches recruit players

who are willing to

laugh and have fun.

After all, volleyball is

just a game, and

while at times it is

intense and serious,

without the laughs,

smiles and friendships

developed, it

would not be worth

playing.

This type of athlete is

not easy to find, but

the Siena coaching

staff remains dedicated

to the search –

committed to keep

the rich tradition of

Siena volleyball alive.

Siena College Volleyball 2006 5

2006 Season Outlook

Head coach Garvey Pierre’s expectations for his program

are the same as they were a year ago at this time. It is

those around the league, and around the Northeast

that have changed.

Pierre brashly predicted Siena’s stunning MAAC

Championship last fall, listing the Saints atop the

ballot he cast in the 2005 poll of the conference’s

coaches. Every other coach picked Siena last.

Now, the tables have turned. Siena is the coaches’ choice

to repeat its 2005 title. The Saints return four of six starters

including a talented crop of outside and middle hitters, the conference’s

most heralded setter and a defense anchored by an ever-improving

young libero. So it stands to reason that the powers-to-be see the

Saints in a different light, even if Pierre does not.

“We knew we had the talent last year, it was just a matter of putting

everything together,” Pierre said. “We got a taste of what the

NCAAs are all about and everyone has the same goal in mind this

season. Last year we had to make everyone believe it was possible.

Now everyone knows what we are capable of, it’s just a matter

of execution.”

The Saints saw first-hand the value of preseason polls a year

ago, so Pierre is confident he can keep

the team focused from the start.

“It is important to approach

each game as a new challenge,

and not look too far in the future,”

Pierre said. “We cannot concern ourselves

with what we hope will happen in

November and December, and we must respect

every opponent on our schedule.”

Outside

MAAC Preseason Player of the Year Nadiege Honore will share duties

on the outside with reigning Tournament MVP, senior co-captain Christie

Gustafson, giving the Saints the most dangerous attack tandem in the league.

Honore set a school record, averaging just under four kills per game as a

sophomore a year ago. Her exponential improvement was a major reason

behind the Saints’ quantum leap in the conference standings. Honore, who

hails from the Caribbean island of Trinidad, was lured to Loudonville by

Pierre, who grew up in Haiti and has targeted the tropics throughout his

ambitious recruiting schedule.

Honore is far and away the MAAC’s most athletic talent. She will miss some

of the Saints’ summer workouts traveling with the Trinidad National Volleyball

team. Her vertical leap and finishes at the 10-foot line will be counted on

heavily as the Saints look to emphatically complete their attacks.

Gustafson has improved each year with the program. As a junior, she earned

Second-Team All-MAAC honors, and this summer she was tabbed to the

Preseason All-MAAC team. Gustafson is an ultra-consistent attacker who has

added velocity and improved location to her powerful swing. The consummate

teammate, she will again shoulder a major responsibility on the court

and be asked to lead as the team’s only senior.

Gustafson earned a perfect 4.0 this past spring, raising her grade

point average over 3.80. She could follow in the footsteps of 2005

graduate Liz Hubbard as a District Academic All-American this fall.

Freshman Andrea McBride figures to gain a great deal of

experience shadowing Honore and Gustafson this

spring. The Capital Region product is a versatile

talent with a great work ethic.

MAAC Preseason

Player of the Year,

Nadiege Honore

“We will count heavily on Christie and

Nadiege this season,” Pierre said. “I

expect us to be the best attacking

team in the league and the majority

of our offensive sets will run

through one of them.”

Middle

Junior Janine Pesusich

is the likely candidate to

fill the void left by the graduation of Hubbard. Hubbard will be

difficult to replace. The 6-foot middle hitter was the most decorated

athlete at the College last season, and her graduation will

certainly be felt this year on the hardwood.

“Liz was a major reason behind what we accomplished last year,”

Pierre said. “She was a calming influence on the court and a great

leader at practice and during the games. She will be difficult to

replace, but I am confident in the middles we have coming back.”

Pesusich also demonstrated great improvement a year ago seeing

meaningful action in 30 of the team’s 32 matches. She has the

size and confidence to produce in the middle, especially on defense.

She should have plenty of opportunities to show off her improved swing as

well, with opposing defenses keying on Honore and Gustafson.

“Janine is capable of dominating in the middle and competing for All-MAAC

honors this fall,” Pierre said. “She showed what she was capable of last

season and we will be happy with the same effort this season.”

Pesusich will be joined by sophomore Emily Kruglik and newcomer

Burgandy McCurty. Kruglik is the team’s tallest player. She saw limited

action a year ago, but worked tirelessly at improving her footwork in the

off-season. She could add a dimension to the middle if she develops as

quickly as Pierre hopes.

McCurty plays much bigger than her 5-11 frame would indicate, and although

she can play all three front row positions, Pierre will likely predominantly

utilize her in the middle.

It will be important that Pesusich, Kruglik and McCurty provide an immediate

presence so the Saints can balance their offense and

free up the opposite side.

Right Side

Christa Glenn was presented with the inaugural

“Unsung Hero” award by her teammates for her

work on the right side last season and will be as

difficult as Hubbard to replace.

Leading the way as potential candidates are sophomore

Kelly Hummel and junior Elizabeth Akin.

Hummel saw the most action of the pair a year

ago, playing in all 32 matches. She progressed immensely as the year

advanced and was on the floor for several key points in the postseason.

That experience will likely give her an edge as will her size and range at

the net.

6 Siena College Volleyball 2006

Akin is another versatile player with improved confidence. She can play any

position on the floor and will likely see even more game action than the 22

contests in which she appeared last season.

It is also possible that Pierre could move Gustafson to the right side to

create a formidable front row and keep the opposing defense off guard.

“The right side will be critical to our success this season,” Pierre noted. “I

have confidence in all of the options we have away from the ball, and know

that April (London) does as well.”

Setting

There is no certainty greater than Pierre’s choice at setter. April London

broke onto the scene as a rookie a year ago in record-setting style. The

Woodbury, Minn. native amassed a school-best 10.4 assists per game en

route to capturing MAAC Rookie of the Year and MAAC co-Setter of the

Year honors.

London is a creative passer who sees the floor extremely well and makes

excellent decisions. The maturity she showed in her first season was perhaps

the biggest difference in the team’s overall success. The Saints expect to gel

as a cohesive unit for the next three years with London calling the shots. She

compliments her expert passing with an excellent service and sound defense.

“April may have been our team MVP last season,” Pierre said. “She made

as big a difference in our overall success as any player in the league. We all

have confidence in her and know she is committed to working even harder

to improve her game.”

Back Row

The Saints return their entire defense with sparkplug libero Kathi Kobayashi

leading the way.

Kobayashi led the Saints with 3.5 digs per game as a freshman, regularly

turning opposing attacks into scoring opportunities. Her value, however, far

extends the stat sheet. In the Saints’ NCAA Tournament game against

eventual National Champion Washington, Kobayashi was all over the court,

regularly turning away attacks from some of the country’s most distinguished

hitters. The diminutive Hawaiian seems well suited to wear the opposite

colored jersey for the next three years.

“Kathi brings tremendous energy to the floor,” Pierre said. “She is unfazed

by everything around her and extremely adept at providing April with a

very passable ball.”

Jessica Hackett played in 30 of 32 games last season, primarily

as a defensive specialist. Hackett plays with great enthusiasm

and is a vocal leader on the court. With

two years of extensive playing experience, she will be looked to for leadership

in the back row this season.

Pierre’s most touted recruit is back row specialist Kaui Robello who played

her high school volleyball with Kobayashi at Punahou on the main island.

Kobayashi calls Robello the best passer she has ever played with, a skill that

will be valuable as the Saints look to start their offense with quality digs and

purposeful passes. Additionally, she has great instincts and technique, which

should enable her to step in and adapt quickly to Division I volleyball.

Rounding out the back row is sophomore Celeste Sisson. A local product,

Sisson gained valuable experience in Pierre’s system last season. She is a hard

worker who has shown improvement and should add quality depth on defense.

“Our defense will be a strength this season,” Pierre said. “We take great

pride in our defense and work very hard at teaching responsibility. Kathi

will have even more help this season which should enable us to be the best

digging and passing team in the MAAC.”

Schedule

The Saints will be put to the test from the start. The season opens in

Tucson, Ariz. as Siena draws host Arizona in the first round of the Four

Points Sheraton Wildcat Invitational. After their date with the national

power Wildcats, the team will take on San Francisco and Northern Colorado

before hopping a cross-country flight back home.

The following two weekends bring Tournament play as well. The Saints

again partake in the Big Orange Tournament hosted by Syracuse the first

weekend in September, where matches with the Orange, Kentucky and New

Hampshire await.

A week later, the team will cross the Empire State over night to play in two

more invitationals. Siena travels to Long Island Friday, September 8 to play

Stony Brook and Yale in the Stony Brook Tournament and then boards a

bus for Hamilton for two games the next day against Princeton and host

Colgate in the Red Raider Classic.

“Tournament play early in the season is key to our long-term success,”

Pierre said. “Not only will we see quality opposition and get a bunch of

matches under our belt, but it will also help us prepare for the postseason

and the critical MAAC Tournament in November.”

MAAC play commences September 16 under a new format as Canisius comes

to Loudonville for the Saints’ home opener. This year, each team in the conference

will play each other twice (once home and once away) meaning nine

MAAC matches have been added to the schedule.

The additional conference matches trim the remaining non-conference

docket to just three contests. A quick trip to Albany on September 26

sandwiches home televised matches with Binghamton (September 20) and

Syracuse (October 17).

“The new format will certainly get us better acclimated with all the teams

in the league,” Pierre said. “There will be no surprises when we all get

together for the MAAC Tournament.”

The MAAC Tournament also takes on a new format this year, as Disney’s

Wide World of Sports Complex hosts this year’s volleyball championships for

the third time since 1998. As part of the league’s on-going partnership

with Disney, all 10 teams will partake in this year’s double-elimination

Tournament (as opposed to the traditional four-team, singleelimination

event).

“It is a great opportunity to play the

Tournament at Disney’s first class venue,”

Pierre said. “That said, we know it will be

a more difficult route to the championship

with every team in the league advancing.”

Siena College Volleyball 2006

Sophomore libero,

Kathi Kobayashi

Siena Volleyball Coaching Staff

Head Coach – Garvey Pierre

Garvey Pierre begins his fourth season as the head

volleyball coach at Siena College after becoming the

program’s initial full-time coach in April of 2003.

Pierre has reenergized the Saints’ program with

stellar recruiting and ambitious vision. In just his

third year, he guided the upstart Saints to the

MAAC Championship last season and the second

NCAA appearance in program history.

This type of success is nothing new for Pierre.

Prior to being named Siena’s head coach, Pierre

led the volleyball program at Mercy College in

Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. While at Mercy, Pierre compiled a

winning percentage in excess of 75%, which listed him seventh among active

Division II coaches with at least five years of experience upon his resignation.

Pierre’s teams gained three conference championships, and a number one ranking

in the Northeast Region in 2000 (33-2 record) and 2001 (34-2 record).

He was named conference Coach of the Year four times and Northeast

Region Coach of the Year twice.

In 2001 Pierre led Mercy to the final eight in the NCAA Tournament. In addition,

his teams held the best grade point average among all teams in the Mercy

athletic department for seven straight years.

Pierre is a graduate of Quebec University (BA) and Mercy (BS). He was a

technical adviser for his native Haiti’s men’s national team in 1994 and was

an assistant coach for Haiti’s women’s national team in 1996 for the Norceca

Games (pre-Olympics). Pierre was also a participant in the 1992 Norceca Games.

The 2005 season marked the first year that Pierre coached a team consisting

of primarily his own recruits. The results were dramatic. Despite being picked

last by every coach in the league except Pierre (who picked Siena first) in the

Preseason Coaches Poll, the Saints reeled off nine straight wins to capture

the MAAC Championship. Pierre recruited 2006 MAAC Preseason Player of

the Year, Nadiege Honore, and 2005 MAAC Rookie of the Year, April London,

the last two seasons.

The future of the Siena volleyball program appears to be in very sound hands

and Pierre vows last season’s breakthrough

was just the beginning.

Assistant Coach – Tim Stewart ’02

Tim Stewart, a 2002 graduate of Siena College,

begins his second year as an assistant coach after

helping Siena reach the NCAA Tournament in just

his first season. Stewart brings a vast volleyball

background to the Siena program, with playing,

coaching and officiating experience at various

levels of the game.

Stewart’s coaching experience began in 1999

when he accepted a position as a varsity coach at

Niskayuna High School as an undergraduate. There

he coached the Silver Warriors for two seasons,

helping them to their first victory after two prior

winless seasons (0-36 previous record). Just two years later, in his final

season with the team, Stewart’s Warriors posted a 13-5 record and finished

third in the Suburban Council tournament. Since September of 2001, Stewart

has been a certified official, overseeing various high school and collegiate

matches in the Capital Region. During his tenure with the Siena women’s

program in 2005-06 season, Stewart extended his coaching career, acting

as head coach for the Siena Men’s Club Volleyball team, and head coach of

the Adirondack Women’s Open volleyball team for the Empire State Games.

Stewart was president and captain of the men’s club volleyball team at Siena

in 2000-2001 and participated all four years as a setter for the team. He

participated in the Empire State Games in 1996 and 2004 and has played in

the USA Adult National Tournaments in Atlanta (2004), Denver (2005), and

New Orleans (2006). Additionally, Stewart is a managing member and tournament

director for Capital District Grass Doubles. In that capacity, he

conducts 10-12 two-on-two grass volleyball tournaments each summer,

which are sanctioned by the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP).

Off the court, Stewart has worked in the Capital Region as a risk and advisory

associate for KPMG LLP and is currently pursing a master’s degree in

Education at the State University of New York at Albany.

Assistant Coach – Jennifer Sangiacomo

Jennifer Sangiacomo looks to help the Saints repeat

the success they achieved in her first year with the

program in 2005. Sangiacomo brings a wealth of

volleyball knowledge to the Siena program, having

been actively involved at the club volleyball level,

coaching Primo (Rochester, N.Y.) from 1998-99

and serving as the Burnt Hills Coach in 2002.

Sangiacomo was born in Utica in 1979 and moved

to the Capital Region when she was five. She played

four years of volleyball, basketball and softball at

Guilderland High School. She played two years

under coach Patty Blacklock for the Capital District Volleyball Club

and has since played four years USAV for Slaughterhouse 6, a Club

Team in the Albany area. She was additionally a member of the 1998

Empire State Games Adirondack Open Team.

Sangiacomo has played six years of competitive doubles volleyball

at the open level, winning several tournaments around

the Northeast. She has also coached the Special Olympics

Unified Team (1999) and served as the co-director of Capital

District Grass Doubles, running outdoor tournaments for the

past five summers.

A 2000 graduate of Nazareth College with a degree in history,

Sangiacomo started for three years on the varsity volleyball

team as a middle blocker and outside hitter. She received her

Master’s in instructional technology and curriculum development

from SUNY Albany in 2004. Off the court, she serves as a

seventh-grade social studies teacher at Cohoes Middle School.

8 Siena College Volleyball 2006

Captain

Christie Gustafson

Senior • 6-foot • Outside Hitter

Rochester, N.Y./Gates Chili

General: Preseason All-MAAC...Captain for second

straight season...The only senior on this year’s team

...On pace to finish her career in top-5 on career

charts in kills, digs and assists...An impact player

with strong knowledge of the game, a powerful

swing and great instincts at the net...Has developed

into one of the league’s

most consistent hitters

...Improved defensive player with tremendous

overall match experience...Excellent student

who carries a 3.80 GPA into senior season...

Extremely athletic player who possesses the

will to win and the respect of her teammates

...Has started since her arrival and will compete

for First-Team All-MAAC honors this season.

As a Junior: Second-Team All-MAAC...

MAAC Tournament MVP...MAAC All-Tournament

Team...MAAC All-Academic

Team...MAAC Honor Roll...All-Tournament

Team at Holy Cross Invitational

...Started all 32 matches and all 120

games for MAAC Championship team...

Finished second on squad with 3.46 kills

per game and 44 service aces...Posted a .206

attack percentage...Third on the team with 2.4 digs

per game and 47 total blocks...Had five 20+ kill matches and 24 doubledigit

kill performances...Collected 16 kills and 22 digs in five-game win

over Canisius (10/30).

As a Sophomore: MAAC All-Academic Team...MAAC Honor Roll...Led

team with 370 kills and 3.94 kills per game...Tops on squad with 313

digs and 3.33 digs per game...Started all 26 matches and 96 of the

team’s 98 games...Registered 44 blocks (.47/game) and 37 service

aces (.39/game)...Recorded a .192 hitting percentage.

As a Freshman: Appeared in team-high 95 games and all 26

matches...Recorded 2.88 kills per game—the second most on the

squad...Also second on team with 36 blocks and 274 total kills...

Ended season third on team with 30 aces and 216 digs.

Personal/Community: Born September 17, 1985 in

Rochester...Active member of Siena and Capital

Region communities...Member of prestigious 21st

Century Business Leader’s Society...

Sigma Beta Delta member...Honored

on President’s List (2003-06)...

Volunteered with Albany’s “Kids in

the Kitchen” program...A marketing

major who chose the college

because of the campus, people

she met and surrounding area...

Sister Betsy is a 2001 graduate of

Oswego State where she lettered

on the volleyball team...The

daughter of Marianne and William

Gustafson.

Before Siena: Lettered in soccer and volleyball for three years at Gates

Chili, where she was named Female Athlete of the Year in 2003...Additional

accolades include: New York State Scholar Athlete (Fr.-Sr.), First-Team All-

County (Jr. and Sr. seasons), Second-Team All-State (Sr.), Monroe County

Division I Player of the Year (Sr.) and Empire State Gold Medallist (Sr.).

Pierre on Gustafson: “I always believed in Christie. She is one of the finest

volleyball players I have ever coached. Christie can deliver when it really

matters. She possesses all the qualities one could ask for in a student-athlete

and I really am looking forward to her senior season.”

Getting to Know Christie Gustafson

Favorite food: Chicken Parm

Favorite color: Pink

Favorite thing about Siena: The people

Favorite class: Consumer Behavior

Favorite song: #41 by Dave Matthew Band

Favorite actor: Will Ferrell

Favorite book: The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks

Favorite musical group: Dave Matthews Band

Favorite movie: Anchorman

Gustafson Stats

YEAR MP GP TA K K/GM PCT E D D/GM B SA

2003 26 95 866 274 2.88 .126 165 216 2.27 36 30

2004 26 94 1,062 370 3.94 .192 166 313 3.33 44 37

2005 32 120 1,136 415 3.46 .206 181 288 2.40 47 44

Totals 84 309 3,064 1,059 3.43 .180 512 817 2.64 127 111

Siena College Volleyball 2006 9

Juniors

Elizabeth Akin

Junior • 6-foot • Right Side

Monument, Colo./Palmer

General: A versatile threat, who can play in both

the front and back row...Has good size and fundamentals...A

capable defender and another weapon

on both the right side and middle on offense...

Made the cross-country journey to Loudonville

from Colorado...Possesses great volleyball upbringing,

and a strong work ethic...Excellent student as

evidenced by 3.63 GPA through two years...Will be counted on for increased

production and leadership as an upperclassman this year.

As a Sophomore: MAAC All-Academic Team...Played in 22 matches and 31

games...Collected 16 digs, two blocks and two kills.

As a Freshman: Played in 25 of the team’s 26 matches and 43 total games...

Collected 65 digs, averaging 1.5 per game...Also notched three kills and

two service aces.

Personal/Community: A biology major who aspires to be a researcher...

Enjoys art, baking and horseback riding when not in the classroom or on

the court...Served as a volunteer intern at USA Volleyball in Colorado...

Also volunteered as a counselor at Wings Like Eagles Therapeutic

Riding Camp (1999-2004)...Was named to the President’s List

at Siena...The daughter of David and Nancy Akin...David introduced

her to volleyball and still plays at the master’s level.

Before Siena: Born December 22, 1985 in Colorado

Springs, Colo...Played four years of volleyball at

Palmer High School, earning Most Improved

Player and Most Valuable Player accolades on

the junior varsity squad.

Pierre on Akin: “Liz is very versatile and

can play all positions on the court

except for setter. She is showing

great confidence and should make

an impact this season.”

Getting to Know Elizabeth Akin

Favorite food: Ice cream

Favorite thing about Siena: Friends I have made

Favorite class: Psychology

Favorite hobby: Snowboarding

Favorite actor: Will Smith

Favorite musical group: Goo Goo Dolls

Favorite movie: V for Vendetta

Favorite book: Angels and Demons

Favorite TV show: Grey’s Anatomy

Favorite color: Blue

Akin Stats

YEAR MP GP TA K K/GM PCT E D D/GM B SA

2004 25 43 24 3 0.07 -.083 5 65 1.51 0 3

2005 22 31 18 2 0.06 -.222 6 16 0.52 2 0

Totals 47 74 42 5 0.06 -.140 11 81 1.09 2 3

10 Siena College Volleyball 2006

Juniors

Nadiege Honore

Junior • 6-foot • Outside Hitter

San Fernando, Trinidad/

Naparima Girls’ High School

General: Preseason MAAC Player of the

Year...Spent much of the summer traveling

with the Trinidad and Tobago National

volleyball team...Tremendous athlete with

developed knowledge of game fostered

through international competition...Extremely

skilled attacker who can kill the ball regularly

at the 10-foot line...Powerful, loose swing...The team’s top leaper and a

much-improved defender...A dominant force who can take over the

match...The conference’s most dangerous, and most athletic player.

As a Sophomore: First-Team All-MAAC...Broke single-season school

record with 3.96 kills per game...Led outside hitters with a .249

attack percentage...Second on the team with 2.62 kills per game...

Collected 43 blocks, 22 service aces and 33 assists...Named to Holy

Cross All-Tournament Team (9/3)...Named to Stony Brook All-

Tournament Team (9/10)...Joined the 30 kill club with 34 kills in five game

win over Marist (10/5)...Posted six 20+ kill matches.

As a Freshman: Finished second on the team with 2.24 kills per game....

Appeared in 22 matches and 63 games on the outside...Totaled 141 kills

and 71 digs...Ended season with 22 blocks and three service aces.

Personal/Community: Born January 4, 1986 in Trinidad...Was heavily

involved in the community in Trinidad, teaching underprivileged children

the game of volleyball and helping develop their self esteem...Brother Marc

Anthony attends St. Francis and younger sister, Solange, plays volleyball...

Father is president of a volleyball club team in Trinidad...Lists music, dance,

drama, poetry, writing, modeling and swimming as outside interests...

Chose Siena because of its high academic standard and volleyball history

...The daughter of Terrence and Judith Honore.

Before Siena: A three-sport athlete in high school, Honore competed in the

high jump as well as the 100 and 200-meter on the track team at Naparima

School for Girls...She was also a member of the Junior National Team for

Trinidad and Tobago.

Pierre on Honore: “Every coach would love to have Nadiege on their team.

With her experience, Nadiege should be able to show more confidence on

the court and dominate the MAAC with her leaping ability and devastating

attack. This season should be a turning point in her volleyball career.”

Honore Stats

YEAR MP GP TA K K/GM PCT E D D/GM B SA

2004 22 63 373 141 2.24 .188 71 71 1.13 22 3

2005 32 116 1,050 459 3.96 .249 198 304 2.62 43 22

Totals 54 179 1,423 600 3.35 .230 269 375 2.09 65 25

Getting to Know Nadiege Honore

Favorite food: Lasagna

Favorite song: Hopeful by Faith Evans

Favorite thing about Siena: The people

Favorite class: Love and intimate relationships

Favorite hobby: Listening to music

Favorite actor/actress: I like too many to choose one

Favorite movie: The list is too long

Siena College Volleyball 2006 11

Juniors

Janine Pesusich

Junior • 6-1 • Middle Hitter

Farmington Hills, Mich./Marian

General: The likely starter in the middle this season

...A talented athlete who adds size and skill to the

Saints front row...Improved greatly from her freshman

to sophomore seasons and appears poised for

a breakthrough year...Possesses tremendous skill

and has potential to evolve into one of the league’s

premier front line players.

As a Sophomore: Played in 30 matches and 90 games...Compiled 1.38 kills

per game and led the team with 82 blocks (.91/game)...Posted a .231 attack

percentage...Had season-high 11 kills and seven blocks in key win over

Manhattan (11/12).

As a Freshman: Played in 24 matches and 67 games...Ended season with

100 kills and finished second on team with a .207 hitting percentage...Led the

team with .90 blocks per game, collecting 60 blocks (14 solo) on season.

Personal/Community: Born October 2, 1985 in Southfield, Mich...Played

club volleyball for one of the most recognized clubs in the country...Chose

Siena because she liked the campus and the area...Lists ultimate Frisbee and

shopping as outside interests...A biology major at Siena...The daughter of

Simon and Joanna Pesusich.

Before Siena: Lettered three years at Marian, earning All-League accolades

as a sophomore, junior and senior...Named All-Tournament Team as a junior

and senior at Walled Lake Central Championships...Selected to All-Metro First

Team, All-Catholic and All-Region as a senior.

Pierre on Pesusich: “Janine has improved a great deal since she arrived at

Siena. She is playing with a lot of confidence and I think she will be one of

the best middle players in the conference.”

Getting to Know

Janine Pesusich

Favorite song: Sunglasses at

Night, by Cory Hart

Favorite food: Saga

(Serra Hall Cafeteria)

Favorite color: Pink

Favorite movie: Wedding Crashers

Favorite hobby: Rollerblading

Favorite book: The Indian in the Cupboard

Favorite thing about Siena: Saga Omelets

Favorite TV Show: Arrested Development

Pesusich Stats

#10

YEAR MP GP TA K K/GM PCT E D BS BA B/GM

2004 24 67 241 100 1.49 .207 50 7 14 46 .90

2005 30 90 299 124 1.38 .231 55 12 12 70 .91

Totals 54 157 540 224 1.43 .220 105 19 26 116 .90

Jessica Hackett

Junior • 5-8 • Defensive Specialist

Pawling, N.Y./Pawling

General: A superior athlete who adds great experience

to the Saints’ back row defense...Brings

tremendous energy and desire to the floor...Gained

experience as a freshman in a forced role as setter

and transitioned nicely to defensive specialist last

year...Clutch competitor who can get the crucial dig

and make the key pass...Will be looked to for muchneeded

leadership this season.

As a Sophomore: MAAC All-Academic Team selection...Played in 30 matches

and 93 games...Collected 107 digs (1.15/game)...Added 21 assists, three

aces and two kills.

As a Freshman: Played in all 26 matches and 87 of 98 games...Finished

season third on the team with 213 digs (2.45/game) and second with 305

assists...Was fourth on the team with 16 service aces and combined for

13 blocks.

Personal/Community: Born November 17, 1986 in Carmel, N.Y...Is an expert

baton twirler who holds five AAU Junior Olympic Gold Medals and two National

Baton Twirling Association National and World Open titles...Currently coaches

and judges baton twirling competitions...An active member of the community

who has volunteered to work with organizations such as Relay for Life,

Jimmy Fund’s cancer research, Amnesty International as well as several

local organizations, churches and animal shelters...The

daughter of Jeffrey and Janice Hackett.

Before Siena: Lettered in volleyball and softball at

Pawling...Selected All-League four times, All-Section

three times and All-State as a senior...Recipient of

Dutchess County Sportsmanship Award and twice

named Scholar Athlete of the Month at Pawling...A

mathematics major.

Pierre on Hackett: “Jessica has a lot of heart and

character on the court. She is one of the most enthusiastic

players we have and really keeps this team

together. She plays to win and she is willing to do

all the little things it takes to make that happen.”

Getting to Know Jessica Hackett

Favorite food: Shrimp Scampi

Favorite thing about Siena: The size, I know all

of my teachers and can go to them for help if I need it

Favorite class: Linear Algebra, or any math class

Favorite hobby: Beach volleyball with friends

Favorite actor/actress: Tom Cruise and Julia Roberts

Favorite artist: Jessica Simpson

Favorite movie: The Notebook

Favorite book: Beloved by Toni Morrison

Favorite TV show: Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

Favorite color: Pink

Hackett Stats

#23

YEAR MP GP TA K PCT E D D/GM A A/GM SA

2004 26 87 38 4 –.079 7 213 2.45 305 3.51 16

2005 30 93 14 2 –.071 3 107 1.15 21 0.23 3

Totals 56 180 52 6 –.075 10 320 1.78 326 1.81 19

12 Siena College Volleyball 2006

Sophomores

Kelly Hummel

Sophomore • 6-foot • Middle/Right Side

Hamburg, N.Y./Frontier

General: Versatile athlete who can contribute in

both the middle and right side...Has good size and

a powerful swing...An imposing defensive force

at the net who gained confidence as her rookie

season progressed.

As a Freshman: Played in all 32 matches and 79

of the team’s 120 games...Recorded 65 kills and a

.158 attack percentage...Combined for 26 total blocks (.33/game) and tallied

12 digs...Posted season-high six kills in win over Hartford (9/24).

Personal/Community: Born April 23, 1987 in Buffalo, N.Y...Volunteered for

the Red Cross Blood Drive and at Autumn View Nursing Home...Also participated

in Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway and various charitable runs and

walks, including a recent Walk for Diabetes...Served as a volunteer at Autumn

View Nursing Home...Chose Siena because she loved the atmosphere...Older

brother, Jim, attends Stonehill...Sister, Kathryn, played four years of volleyball

at Edinboro and now works in Boca Raton, Fla...Lists shopping, playing

sports and attending concerts as outside interests...The daughter of

Thomas and Kathleen Hummel.

Before Siena: A scholar athlete all four years at Frontier, where she was

named Female Athlete of the Year as a senior...Tabbed ECIC Division I First

Team as a junior and All-ECIC as a senior...Honored as a First-Team All-

Western New York (WNY) pick as a senior...Received the Captain’s Award

for highly regarded WNY Storm Club team...Selected to participate in WNY

Super Senior All-Star game.

Pierre on Hummel: “Kelly is another versatile player who can play all

positions on the court including setter. She has great technique, plays to

win and I expect a lot from her this season.”

Getting to Know Kelly Hummel

Favorite food: Mexican

Favorite thing about Siena: The friends I’ve made, the athletic

program and the campus

Favorite class: Writing

Favorite hobbies: Shopping, sleeping, hanging out with friends

Favorite book: The DaVinci Code

Favorite actor/actress: Will Ferrell/Jennifer Aniston

Favorite artists: Jack Johnson, Dave Matthews Band

Favorite movies: Anchorman, Wedding Crashers

Favorite TV shows:

Oprah, Desperate

Housewives

Favorite color: Green

Hummel Stats

YEAR MP GP TA K K/GM PCT E D D/GM B SA

2005 32 79 177 65 0.82 .158 37 12 0.15 26 4

Totals 32 79 177 65 0.82 .158 37 12 0.15 26 4

Kathi Kobayashi

Sophomore • 5-1 • Libero

Aiea Hawaii/Punahou

General: Skilled, intelligent libero with great

instincts and agility...Covers court extremely well

and makes up for lack of size with quick reflexes

and great knowledge of the game...One of the top

back row defenders in the MAAC...Emerged as the

team’s starting libero from day one last season, a

position she figures to hold for the next three years.

As a Freshman: Played in all 32 matches and all but two games...Led the

team with 409 digs (3.47/game)...Posted double-digit digs in 24 matches...

Had season-high 27 digs in just four games at Iona (10/16).

Personal/Community: Born January 19, 1987 in Honolulu...Active in the

community, volunteering up to 12 hours per week (January-March 2005) for

the Hale Nani Rehabilitation Center...Assisted with Special Olympics and

worked on the Enchanted Lake Elementary Beautification Project in her

neighborhood...The daughter of Alan and Evie Kobayashi.

Before Siena: Named First-Team All-State (Hawaii Sports Network), Second-

Team All-State (Honolulu Advertiser) and All-State Honorable Mention following

junior season in which Punahou captured State Championship...Selected

All-State Honorable Mention as a senior.

Pierre on Kobayashi: “Kathi has a great passion for the game, especially in

defense. She is very smart and moves extremely well. She is one of the best

defensive specialists in the state of Hawaii. Kathi brings much depth and

consistency to our game.”

Getting to Know Kathi Kobayashi

Full name: Kathi Lauren Hanako Kobayashi

Nickname: Kat

Favorite food: Italian and Japanese

Favorite song: Second Chance by Milano

Club Team: Quicksets Hawaii Volleyball Club

Chose Siena because: “I liked the campus and the people. It is a great

academic school and I wanted to play

competitive Division I volleyball!”

Major: Undecided

Career objective: Sports Medicine

Siblings: Sisters Alena and Kelli,

brother Brent

Kobayashi Stats

YEAR MP GP TA K K/GM PCT E D D/GM B SA

2005 32 118 19 3 0.03 -.211 7 409 3.47 0 20

Totals 32 118 19 3 0.03 -.211 7 409 3.47 0 20

Siena College Volleyball 2006 13

Sophomores

Celeste Sisson

Sophomore • 5-7 • Defensive Specialist

Charleston, N.Y./Fonda-Fultonville

General: Solid defender with strong knowledge of

the game and a positive work ethic...Dedicated and

committed athlete who adds depth to the Saints’

back row...Could see increased playing time this

fall.

As a Freshman: Appeared in eight matches and

11 games...Registered six digs in limited action

and killed one of her three attacks.

Personal/Community: Born April 7, 1987 in Schenectady, N.Y...Has an older

brother, Cory, and an older sister, Christina...A mathematics major who aspires

to be a teacher...Chose to attend Siena because of the friendly campus and

the educational ideals...The daughter of George and Debra Sisson.

Before Siena: Selected First-Team All-Area and team MVP as a senior at

Fonda-Fultonville...Recipient of the Coaches’ Award as a junior...Had 74

service aces and 141 kills as a senior...Also participated in Track and Field.

Pierre on Sisson: “Celeste worked very hard last season. She should be able

to put more depth in our defense as her game has seen a lot of improvement.”

Getting to Know Celeste Sisson

Favorite food: Chinese and Mexican

Favorite thing about Siena: Campus

Favorite song: Lean on me

Favorite class: Mathematics

Favorite actor/actress: Matthew

McConaughey/ Julia Roberts

Favorite artist: Sean Paul

Favorite TV shows: Survivor,

Saved by the Bell, Grey’s

Anatomy

Favorite color: Green

Sisson Stats

YEAR MP GP TA K K/GM PCT E D D/GM B SA

2005 8 11 3 1 0.09 .333 0 6 0.55 1 0

Totals 8 11 3 1 0.09 .333 0 6 0.55 1 0

Emily Kruglik

Sophomore • 6-3 • Middle Hitter

Coventry, Conn./Coventry

General: Talented middle blocker with good size

and skill...Comes from a winning volleyball program,

and has a dedicated work ethic...Has improved her

footwork and has the potential to be a major force

at the net on both offense and defense.

As a Freshman: Appeared in four matches and

four games...Killed one of her four attacks and

collected one dig.

Personal/Community: Born January 23, 1987 in Hartford...Chose Siena

because of its location and the size of the campus...Older sister, Denise,

attends Merrimack College...The daughter of Zdzislaw and Roberta Kruglik.

Before Siena: Lettered in volleyball and basketball for four years at Coventry

...Named First-Team All-State and First-Team All-Conference as a senior...

Led Coventry to Class S State Championship in 2003 and 2004...Was Named

State Championship Game MVP in 2004 and selected to the Senior All-Star

Game...Coventry finished 2004 season undefeated and Kruglik was honored

with the team’s Leadership Award.

Pierre on Kruglik: “We spent last year working on Emily’s footwork and

skills. She is very big at the net and should be able to contribute a great

deal to the team success this fall.”

Getting to Know Emily Kruglik

Favorite food: Chicken Fingers

Favorite song: Like all kinds of music

Major: Business Undecided

Club team: Husky Volleyball

Kruglik Stats

#14

YEAR MP GP TA K K/GM PCT E D BS BA B/GM

2005 4 4 4 1 0.25 .000 1 1 0 0 0

Totals 4 4 4 1 0.25 .000 1 1 0 0 0

14 Siena College Volleyball 2006

Sophomores Freshmen

April London

Sophomore • 5-10 • Setter

Woodbury, Minn./Woodbury

General: Preseason All-MAAC Selection...Emerged

as one of the top setters in the MAAC as a freshman

...Has great hands, vision and knowledge of the game

...Is a precise passer with tremendous instincts and

excellent timing...Makes players around her better

with her deft ball distribution and consistent passes...

The team’s top serving threat...Excellent defensive

player and a superior athlete.

As a Freshman: MAAC Rookie of the Year...MAAC co-Setter of the Year...

Eight-Time MAAC Rookie of the Week (9/5, 9/12, 9/26, 10/3, 10/10, 10/31,

11/7, 11/14)...Set school record with 10.44 assists per game...One of two

players to play in all 32 matches and 120 games...Quinnipiac Invitational

Tournament MVP (9/24)...New Hampshire Classic All-Tournament Team

(9/17)...Totaled 1253 assists and 225 digs (1.9/game)...Led the team with

58 service aces...Combined for 45 blocks, including five solo...Led team

with a .303 attack percentage, dumping 147 kills.

Personal/Community: Excellent student who carries a 3.87 GPA and is a

current member of the athletic department’s 4.0 club after scoring straight

A’s in her first semester...Actively involved in community activities such as

park cleanups, tutoring, Diabetes Walk and volunteering at Oak Meadows

Assisted Living...Also an active member of church, leading youth groups,

and serving as hospitality minister and alter server and trainer...Born

October 20, 1986 in St. Paul Minnesota...Has a brother, Lucas...The daughter

of Patrick and Nancy London.

Before Siena: Selected Second-Team All-State as a senior at Woodbury, where

she also lettered in golf, track and basketball...Named All-Conference and

Team MVP as a junior and senior...True student-athlete, was chosen Academic

All-State and graduated with highest honors as a member of the National

Honor Society...Registered 867 assists, 71 aces, 142 digs, 112 kills and 37

blocks at Woodbury.

Pierre on London: “April showed us what she is capable of

doing last season. We are confident that she will again

emerge as the top setter in the conference and dominate

the opposition with her devastating serves.”

Getting to Know April London

Favorite food: Chinese food and Tatertot casserole

Favorite song: Anything I can dance to

Club team: Adidas Select (Qualified for Junior

National Olympics)

Favorite hobby: Hanging out with friends

Favorite actor/actress: Will Ferrell/ Audry Hepburn

Favorite movie: Monty Python and

the Holy Grail

Favorite class: Computer Science 110

Favorite thing about Siena: The people

London Stats

#20

YEAR MP GP TA K PCT E D D/GM A A/GM SA

2005 32 120 340 147 .303 44 225 1.88 1253 10.44* 44

*school record

Kaui Robello

Freshman • 5-7

Defensive Specialist/Setter

Honolulu, Hawaii/Punahou

General: One of two Saints to make her way to

Loudonville from Honolulu’s Punahou High School

...A very skilled passer with excellent athleticism

...Will step in and earn meaningful playing time in

the back row from the start...Excellent defender with

polished fundamentals and good court awareness.

Personal/Community: Born March 23, 1988 in Honolulu...Chose Siena

because of its competitive Division I volleyball program...Served as a teaching

assistant at Palolo Head Start during the second semester of her senior

year...Enjoys watching the Food Network and going to the beach...Has two

brothers, Lopaka and Kaipo...Daughter of Rodney and Alicia Robello.

Before Siena: Played eight years of volleyball during her scholastic career,

lettering for the last four at Punahou.

Pierre on Robello: “Kaui will help us in all areas in the back row. She has

great ball control and technique. I feel she could evolve into one of the best

players in the MAAC.”

Getting to Know Kaui Robello

Favorite food: Sushi

Favorite class: Psychology

Favorite hobby: Eating, going to the beach, watching TV

Favorite book: Perks of Being a Wallflower

Favorite TV show: Anything on the Food Channel or

Dog the Bounty Hunter

Favorite color: Green

#11

Siena College Volleyball 2006 15

Freshmen

Andrea McBride

Freshman • 5-10

Defensive Specialist/Outside Hitter

Hicksville, N.Y./Holy Trinity

General: Versatile student-athlete who will add quality

depth at a variety of positions...Possesses a great

work ethic...A quick study who picked up the game

during the summer prior to ninth grade.

Personal/Community: Born May 11, 1988 in Mineola, N.Y...Chose Siena

because she liked the campus and the atmosphere and her sister, Megan, is

a junior here...An undecided major...Coached CYO volleyball (2002-2006),

cheerleading (2002-2004) and lacrosse (2005) in her community...Also has

a younger brother, Matt...Daughter of Joseph and Phyllis McBride.

Before Siena: Lettered four years of volleyball and lacrosse and two years

of basketball at Holy Trinity...Was named All-League and MVP of the Championship

Game as a senior on the hardwood...Selected team MVP in lacrosse

as a freshman and sophomore...Captained the volleyball team senior season.

Pierre on McBride: “Andrea is a great athlete who plays with heart and

passion. She can play both in front or in the back. She has a winning attitude,

and I like that.”

Getting to Know Andrea McBride

Favorite food: Pizza

Favorite thing about Siena: The wonderful people

Favorite class: English

Favorite hobby: Going to the beach

Favorite song: Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol

Favorite movie: Pirates of the Caribbean

Favorite color: Yellow

#16

Burgandy McCurty

Freshman • 5-11

Middle Hitter/Right Side

Port Washington, N.Y./Paul D. Schreiber

General: Talented front row presence who will add

another option to the middle and right side...Very

athletic player with tremendous leaping ability...Will

gain valuable experience this season spelling the Saints’

talented attack.

Personal/Community: Born May 26, 1988 in Manhasset, N.Y...Chose Siena

because of its academic reputation and her athletic scholarship...Lists drawing

and extreme sports as outside interests...An accounting major who aspires

to be a CPA...Has a younger brother, Michael, and a younger sister, Ariana

...The daughter of Michael McCurty and Robbyn Wright.

Before Siena: Lettered four years of volleyball, three years of lacrosse and

two years of basketball at Paul D. Schreiber...Was selected team MVP as a

sophomore, junior and senior in volleyball...Named All-Conference those

same years...Schreiber won the conference championship her sophomore

and senior years...Tournament MVP as a senior.

PIERRE ON McCURTY: "Burgandy plays huge on the net with her leaping

ability. She can play all positions in the front row especially in the middle.

She should make an impact during her first year."

Getting to Burgandy McCurty

Favorite food: Brownies

Favorite thing about Siena: Campus

Favorite class: Mathematics

Favorite hobby: Drawing, buying sneakers

Favorite song: Changes by Tupac

Favorite movie: Remember the Titans

Favorite color: Blue

#19

16 Siena College Volleyball 2006

2005 Results and Statistics

9/2 St. John’s Worcester, Mass. L, 3-0 (18-30, 18-30, 28-30)

9/3 Binghamton Worcester, Mass. L, 3-2 (28-30, 27-30, 30-15, 30-27, 8-15)

9/3 Holy Cross Worcester, Mass W, 3-1 (32-34, 30-18, 30-28, 30-22)

9/5 Fordham Bronx, N.Y. L, 3-0 (12-30, 13-30, 30-32)

9/6 Providence Providence, R.I. W, 3-0 (30-17, 30-19, 30-22)

9/7 Colgate Loudonville, N.Y. W, 3-0 (30-25, 31-29, 30-25)

9/9 Stony Brook Stony Brook, N.Y. L, 3-2 (16-30, 31-29, 30-26, 23-30, 10-15)

9/10 Bucknell Stony Brook, N.Y. W, 3-1 (30-28, 30-17, 24-30, 30-19)

9/10 Saint Francis Stony Brook, N.Y. W, 3-0 (30-25, 30-24, 30-24)

9/16 Boston College Durham, N.H. L, 3-0 (23-30, 21-30, 14-30)

9/17 New Hampshire Durham, N.H. W, 3-2 (26-30, 30-21, 28-30, 30-27, 15-10)

9/17 Florida Atlantic Durham, N.H. L, 3-0 (21-30, 15-30, 21-30)

9/24 Hartford Hamden, Conn. W, 3-0 (30-24, 36-34, 30-20)

9/24 Quinnipiac Hamden, Conn. W, 3-0 (30-20, 30-20, 30-22)

9/28 Syracuse 2 Syracuse, N.Y. W, 3-2 (33-31, 14-30, 30-28, 11-30, 15-12)

9/30 Connecticut Loudonville, N.Y. L, 3-0 (18-30, 19-30, 17-30)

10/2 Quinnipiac Loudonville, N.Y. W, 3-0 (30-15, 30-23, 30-18)

Statistics

2005 Results

Overall Record: 20-12 Conf: 7-2 Home: 7-2 Away: 8-5 Neutral: 5-5

ATTACK SET SERVE

## Name GP MP K K/Game E TA Pct A A/Game SA SA/Gm SE

6 Honore, Nadiege 116 32 459 3.96 198 1050 .249 33 0.28 22 0.19 56

3 Gustafson, Christie 120 32 415 3.46 181 1136 .206 25 0.21 44 0.37 83

15 Hubbard, Liz 116 32 230 1.98 81 533 .280 12 0.10 31 0.27 73

4 Glenn, Christa 100 29 149 1.49 65 417 .201 41 0.41 20 0.20 11

10 Pesusich, Janine 90 30 124 1.38 55 299 .231 9 0.10 0 0.00 0

20 London, April 120 32 147 1.23 44 340 .303 1253 10.44 58 0.48 79

5 Hummel, Kelly 79 32 65 0.82 37 177 .158 10 0.13 4 0.05 10

12 Lakatos, Amy 53 26 43 0.81 22 159 .132 14 0.26 8 0.15 14

9 Christensen, Amy 9 5 5 0.56 6 17 -.059 2 0.22 1 0.11 1

14 Kruglik, Emily 4 4 1 0.25 1 4 .000 0 0.00 0 0.00 0

1 Beck, Robin 77 31 14 0.18 14 63 .000 5 0.06 10 0.13 10

8 Sisson, Celeste 11 8 1 0.09 0 3 .333 1 0.09 0 0.00 2

2 Akin, Elizabeth 31 22 2 0.06 6 18 -.222 0 0.00 0 0.00 1

7 Kobayashi, Kathi 118 32 3 0.03 7 19 -.211 36 0.31 20 0.17 19

23 Hackett, Jessica 93 30 2 0.02 3 14 -.071 21 0.23 3 0.03 5

SIENA 120 32 1661 13.84 720 4249 .221 1462 12.18 221 1.84 364

Opponents 120 32 1589 13.24 710 4263 .206 1383 11.52 265 2.21 283

DIG BLOCKING

## Name G RE DIG Dig/G BS BA Total B/Game BE BHE

6 Honore, Nadiege 116 38 304 2.62 8 35 43 0.37 13 2

3 Gustafson, Christie 120 50 288 2.40 15 32 47 0.39 1 2

15 Hubbard, Liz 116 1 62 0.53 13 63 76 0.66 32 1

4 Glenn, Christa 100 24 84 0.84 4 35 39 0.39 3 7

10 Pesusich, Janine 90 1 12 0.13 12 70 82 0.91 5 0

20 London, April 120 1 225 1.88 5 40 45 0.38 6 27

5 Hummel, Kelly 79 3 12 0.15 7 19 26 0.33 1 4

12 Lakatos, Amy 53 16 55 1.04 0 7 7 0.13 1 2

9 Christensen, Amy 9 2 4 0.44 0 1 1 0.11 0 1

14 Kruglik, Emily 4 0 1 0.25 0 0 0 0.00 0 0

1 Beck, Robin 77 5 36 0.47 0 9 9 0.12 0 0

8 Sisson, Celeste 11 2 6 0.55 0 1 1 0.09 0 0

2 Akin, Elizabeth 31 5 16 0.52 0 2 2 0.06 0 0

7 Kobayashi, Kathi 118 72 409 3.47 0 0 0 0.00 1 1

23 Hackett, Jessica 93 20 107 1.15 0 0 0 0.00 0 1

TEAM 25

SIENA 120 240 1621 13.51 64 314 221.0 1.84 63 48

Opponents 120 221 1548 12.90 75 309 229.5 1.91 47 60

10/4 Albany Loudonville, N.Y. L, 3-0 (20-30, 27-30, 21-30)

10/5 Marist Loudonville, N.Y. W, 3-2 (30-25, 23-30, 29-31, 31-29, 15-9)

10/11 Seton Hall South Orange, N.J. L, 3-0 (23-30, 28-30, 22-30)

10/15 Fairfield Fairfield, Conn. L, 3-0 (18-30, 21-30, 7-30)

10/16 Iona New Rochelle, N.Y. L, 3-1 (20-30, 22-30, 30-28, 21-30)

10/21 Fairleigh Dickinson Hackensack, N.J. W, 3-1 (20-30, 30-27, 30-28, 30-22)

10/29 Niagara Loudonville, N.Y. W, 3-1 (30-28, 30-26, 21-30, 34-32)

10/30 Canisius Loudonville, N.Y. W, 3-2 (30-23, 26-30, 22-30, 30-26, 15-12)

11/5 Loyola Baltimore, Md. W, 3-0 (30-28, 30-27, 32-30)

11/6 Rider Lawrenceville, N.J. W, 3-0 (30-22, 30-26, 30-18)

11/12 Manhattan Loudonville, N.Y. W, 3-2 (30-21, 26-30, 30-15, 24-30, 15-11)

11/13 Saint Peter’s Loudonville, N.Y. W, 3-1 (30-19, 30-27, 25-30, 30-18)

11/19 Iona MAAC Semifinals Lewiston, N.Y. W, 3-2 (28-30, 30-21, 30-19, 25-30, 15-10)

11/20 MAAC Championship Game

Fairfield Lewiston, N.Y. W, 3-2 (29-31, 30-19, 27-30, 30-28, 15-11)

12/2 NCAA Tournament First Round

#3 Washington Fort Collins, Colo. L, 3-0 (21-30, 17-30, 18-30)

April London was selected

2005 MAAC Rookie

of the Year and MAAC

co-Setter of the Year

Siena College Volleyball 2006 17

2005 MAAC Results

2005 MAAC Standings

MAAC Overall

School W L PCT W L PCT

(1) Fairfield$ 8 1 .889 18 15 .545

(2)Siena% 7 2 .778 20 12 .625

(3) Iona 6 3 .667 11 20 .355

(4) Niagara 6 3 .667 16 10 .552

Saint Peter’s 5 4 .556 16 13 .552

Manhattan 5 4 .556 17 16 .515

Canisius 3 6 .333 9 17 .346

Rider 2 7 .222 10 19 .345

Marist 2 7 .222 8 20 .286

Loyola 1 8 .111 7 25 .219

$ Regular-Season Champions

% Tournament Champions

April London - 2005 Rookie of the Year

Weekly Awards

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

8/29 Sally Hanson, Marist

9/6 Maggie Pfeifer, Manhattan

9/12 Machon, Fairfield

9/19 Megan Smith, Rider

9/26 Maggie Pfeifer, Manhattan,

Sally Hanson, Marist

10/3 Maggie Pfeifer, Manhattan

10/10 Maggie Pfeifer, Manhattan

10/17 Michelle LeSouder, Niagara,

Morgan Young, Iona

10/24 Miki Hogg, Iona

10/31 Miki Hogg, Iona

11/7 Maggie Pfeifer, Manhattan

11/14 Stephanie Hopkins, Niagara

MAAC All-Tournament Team

Miki Hogg, Iona

Micole Daluisio, Niagara

Alex Fox, Fairfield

Casey Machon, Fairfield

April London, Siena

Liz Hubbard, Siena

Most Valuable Player

Christie Gustafson, Siena

All-MAAC First Team

Maggie Pfeifer, Manhattan

Nadiege Honore, Siena

Miki Hogg, Iona

Michelle LeSouder, Niagara

Morgan Young, Iona

Serra Soylu, Saint Peter’s

Gulhan Cakcak, Saint Peter’s

All-MAAC Second Team

Erin Graham, Niagara

Mary Boller, Canisius

Lindsey Lee, Fairfield

Stephanie Hopkins, Niagara

Casey Machon, Fairfield

Sally Hanson, Marist

Megan O’Dorisio, Manhattan

Christie Gustafson, Siena

Chelsea White, Iona

2005 MAAC co- 2005 MAAC First Team 2005 MAAC Second Team

Setters of the Year

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

8/29 Lauren Laramore, Fairfield

9/6 Jess Stackhouse, Canisius

9/12 Micole Daluisio, Niagara

9/19 Chelsea White, Iona

9/26 Micole Daluisio, Niagara

10/3 Micole Daluisio, Niagara

10/10 Ashley Watson, Manhattan

10/17 Jess Stackhouse, Canisius

10/24 Leigh Launhardt, Canisius,

Chelsea White, Iona

10/31 Chelsea White, Iona

11/7 Ashley Davis, Manhattan

11/14 Micole Daluisio, Niagara

Offensive Player

of the Year

Maggie Pfeifer, Manhattan

Defensive Player

of the Year

Chelsea White, Iona

Co-Setters

of the Year

Beth Holly, Iona

April London, Siena

Rookie of the Year

April London, Siena

Anaconda Sports

Coach of the Year

Rocco Lucci, Jr., Niagara

ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

8/29 Brandi Higa, Fairfield

9/6 April London, Siena

9/12 April London, Siena

9/19 Shannon Lee, Iona

9/26 April London, Siena

10/3 April London, Siena

10/10 April London, Siena

10/17 Shannon Lee, Iona

10/24 Marcellee Williams, Loyola

10/31 April London, Siena

11/7 April London, Siena

11/14 April London, Siena

18 Siena College Volleyball 2006

Year in Review

It was widely predicted that the 2005 Siena volleyball campaign would end

in disappointment.

As it turned out, that was one of the few predictions surrounding last year’s

squad that proved accurate.

The skeptics had reason to count the Saints out early. The year before,

Siena had finished ninth in the MAAC, winning just nine games all season.

And after mid-October MAAC losses at Fairfield and Iona, it appeared

things were going to play out just the way everyone thought.

“That was really a turning point for us,” senior captain Liz Hubbard said.

“We knew we needed to rededicate ourselves and focus on enjoying the

game and performing to the best of our ability.”

The Iona loss would be the team’s final loss of the regular season. Freshman

setter April London found her groove and proved to be the missing piece in

the Saints’ championship puzzle. London masterfully distributed the ball to

sensational sophomore Nadiege Honore and junior captain Christie

Gustafson on the outside. Seniors Christie Gustafson and Hubbard controlled

the right side and the middle, and Siena reeled off seven straight wins to

end the regular season.

The reward was a #2 seed in the MAAC Tournament and a rematch with the

Gaels. The Saints outlasted Iona 3-2 to earn a Championship game rematch

with top-seeded Fairfield. In a stunning turn of events, Siena shocked the

Stags and won the 2005 MAAC Championship (29-31, 30-19, 27-30, 30-28

and 15-11) on Niagara University’s home court in Lewiston.

Gustafson was named MAAC Tournament MVP. Hubbard and London were

named to the All-Tournament Team. At an awards banquet preceding the

Championship, Honore was named to the MAAC First Team, Gustafson to

the Second and London (an eight-time MAAC Rookie of the Week) was

named MAAC Rookie of the Year and MAAC co-Setter of the Year.

A week later at a Selection Show party in their honor, the Saints learned they

would play #3 national seed Washington in the program’s first NCAA Tournament

appearance in a decade. The game was set to take place in Fort Collins,

Colo. on the campus of Colorado State University on December 2.

Siena gave the eventual National Champions all they could handle in the

first game and played some of its best defense of the season all match long

to make things interesting. In the end, the Huskies advanced with a 30-21,

30-17 and 30-18 victory. Washington did not lose a single game in the

NCAA Tournament, capturing the National title.

In the lockerroom, temporary disappointment was eventually overshadowed

by reflection and a calm confidence of what the future holds.

“You should all be very proud of what we accomplished this season,” Pierre

said following the loss. “Our goal all along was to reach the NCAAs and by

believing in yourselves, you made it happen.”

Siena College Volleyball 2006 19

2006 Opponents

Four Points Sheraton Arizona

Invitational

Dates: 8/25-8/26

Opponents: Arizona, San Francisco,

Northern Colorado

Location: Tucson, Ariz.

Big Orange Tournament

Dates: 9/1-9/2

Opponents: Syracuse, Kentucky,

New Hampshire

Location: Syracuse, N.Y.

Stony Brook Invitational

Dates: 9/8

Opponents: Stony Brook, Yale

Location: Stony Brook, N.Y.

Colgate Invitational

Dates: 9/9

Opponents: Colgate, Princeton

Location: Hamilton, N.Y.

MAAC Opponents

Canisius

9/16 Home 2 p.m.

11/5 Away 2 p.m.

Location: Buffalo, N.Y.

Enrollment: 3,520

Nickname: Golden Griffins

Colors: Blue and Gold

Conference: MAAC

President: Rev. Vincent M. Cooke, S.J.

Athletic Director: Bill Maher

Facility: Koessler Athletic Center (2,176)

Head Coach: Cathy Hummel

2005 Record: 9-17/3-6 MAAC

Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 11/1

Fairfield

10/7 Home 2 p.m.

10/29 Away 2 p.m.

Location:

Fairfield, Conn.

Enrollment: 3,300

Nickname: Stags

Colors: Cardinal Red

Conference: MAAC

President: Jeffrey von Arx, S.J.

Athletic Director: Eugene P. Doris

Facility: Alumni Hall (2,479)

Head Coach: Jeff Werneke

2005 Record: 18-15/8-1 MAAC

Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 9/3

Non-Conference Opponents

Binghamton

9/20 Home

7 p.m.

(Timewarner Cable)

Location: Vestal, N.Y.

Enrollment: 13,860

Nickname: Bearcats

Colors: Dark Green, Black and White

Conference: America East

President: Lois B DeFleur

Athletic Director: Joel Thirer

Facility: West Gym

Head Coach: Glenn Kiriyama

2005 Record: 20-12/10-2 America East

Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 13/0

Iona

10/14 Away 4 p.m.

11/12 Home 4 p.m.

Location:

New Rochelle, N.Y.

Enrollment: 3,045

Nickname: Gaels

Colors: Maroon and Gold

Conference: MAAC

President: Br. James A. Liguori

Acting Athletic Director: Patrick Lyons

Facility: Hynes Athletic Center (2,611)

Head Coach: Alan Edwards

2005 Record: 11-20

Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 10/4

Loyola

9/30 Away 11 a.m.

10/22 Home 2 p.m.

Location:

Baltimore, Md.

Enrollment: 3,100

Nickname: Greyhounds

Colors: Green and Grey

Conference: MAAC

President: Rev. Harold Ridley, SJ

Athletic Director: Joseph Boylan

Facility: Reitz Arena (3,000)

Head Coach: Kristina Hernandez

2005 Record: 7-25/1-8 MAAC

Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 6/10

Albany

9/26 Away

7 p.m.

Location: Albany, N.Y.

Enrollment: 12,000

Nickname: Great Danes

Colors: Purple and Gold

Conference: America East

President: TBA

Athletic Director: Dr. Lee McElroy

Facility: University Gymnasium

Head Coach: Kelly Sheffield

2005 Record: 28-4/11-1 America East

Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 10/4

Manhattan

9/24 Home 2 p.m.

10/15 Away 2 p.m.

Location: Riverdale, N.Y.

Enrollment: 3,400

Nickname: Jaspers

Colors: Kelly Green and White

Conference: MAAC

President: Brother Thomas Scanlan, FSC

Athletic Director: Robert J. Byrnes

Facility: Draddy Gymnasium (2,500)

Head Coach: Ray Green

2005 Record: 17-16/5-4 MAAC

Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 5/7

Marist

10/4 Away 7 p.m.

11/9 Home 7 p.m.

(Timewarner Cable)

Location:

Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

Enrollment: 4,000

Nickname: Red Foxes

Colors: Red and White

Conference: MAAC

President: Dr. Dennis J. Murray

Athletic Director: Tim Murray

Facility: McCann Center (3,750)

Head Coach: Tom Hanna

2005 Record: 8-20/2-7

Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 11/3

Syracuse

10/17 Home

7 p.m.

(Timewarner Cable)

Location: Syracuse, N.Y.

Enrollment: 10,700

Nickname: Orange

Colors: Orange

Conference: BIG EAST

President: Nancy Cantor

Athletic Director: Dr. Daryl Gross

Facility: Manley Field House

Head Coach: Jing Pu

2005 Record: 25-10/11-3 BIG EAST

Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 7/5

Niagara

9/17 Home 2 p.m.

11/4 Away 12 p.m.

Location: Lewiston, N.Y.

Enrollment: 3,548

Nickname: Purple Eagles

Colors: Purple and White

Conference: MAAC

President: Rev. Joseph L. Levesque, C.M.

Athletic Director: Ed McLaughlin

Facility: Gallagher Center (2,400)

Head Coach: Rocco Lucci, Jr.

2005 Record: 16-10/6-3 MAAC

Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 11/6

Rider

10/1 Away 11 a.m.

10/21 Home 4 p.m.

Location:

Lawrenceville, N.J.

Enrollment: 5,562

Nickname: Broncs

Colors: Cranberry and White

Conference: MAAC

President: Dr. Mordechai Rozanski

Athletic Director: Don Harnum

Facility: Alumni Gym (1,650)

Head Coach: Emily Ahlquist

2005 Record: 10/19/2-7 MAAC

Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 5/5

Saint Peter’s

9/23 Home 2 p.m.

10/28 Away 1 p.m.

Location:

Jersey City, N.J.

Enrollment: 3,282

Nickname: Peahens

Colors: Blue and White

Conference: MAAC

President: James N. Loughran

Athletic Director: William A. Stein

Facility: Yanitelli Center

Head Coach: Mike Massone

2005 Record: 16-13/5-4 MAAC

Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 10/3

20 Siena College Volleyball 2006

The MAAC

With 10 institutions strongly bound by the sound principles of quality

and integrity in academics and excellence in athletics, the Metro Atlantic

Athletic Conference enters its 26th year of competition during the 2006-

2007 academic year.

The MAAC was founded in 1980 by six charter members: the U.S. Military

Academy, Fairfield University, Fordham University, Iona College, Manhattan

College and Saint Peter’s College. Competition followed one year later in

the fall of 1981 with members competing in the sports of men’s cross country

and men’s soccer. On January 2, 1982, Army traveled to Iona for the

first MAAC men’s basketball game and the MAAC story had begun.

Today, Conference members include: Canisius College, Fairfield University,

Iona College, Loyola College (Md.), Manhattan College, Marist College,

Niagara University, Rider University, Saint Peter’s College, and Siena College.

In addition, associate members Duquesne University and LaSalle University

compete in football. Le Moyne College competes in baseball and women’s

lacrosse, while Mount St. Mary’s College, Providence College, Saint Joseph’s

University, Virginia Military Institute and Wagner College compete in men’s

lacrosse. St. Francis (N.Y.) College, Villanova University and Wagner College

are all associate members of the MAAC Women’s Water Polo League. The

MAAC will support 25 sports and conduct 24 championships during the

2006-2007 academic year.

The 2007 MAAC Basketball Championships move to the Arena at Harbor

Yard in Bridgeport, Connecticut, with Albany’s Pepsi Arena preparing to host

the 2008 championship. By having an excellent working relationship with

these working facilities, the MAAC has been able to attract a number of

NCAA Championship events. In 1995, the MAAC and Siena hosted the

highly successful First and Second Rounds of the Division I Men’s Basketball

Championship. In 2000, the MAAC, along with Canisius and Niagara, again

received rave reviews as they hosted the First and Second Rounds of

the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship at the

HSBC Arena in Buffalo, NY. The MAAC, Rider and Siena

co-hosted the 2002 NCAA Division I Wrestling

Championships at the Pepsi Arena. The MAAC and

Siena successfully hosted the 2003 NCAA Division

I Men’s Basketball Championship East Regional

at the Pepsi Arena. Additionally, the MAAC,

Canisius and Niagara served as hosts

for the 2003 Division I Men’s Ice

Hockey Championship, also at the

HSBC Arena. In 2004, the MAAC,

Canisius and Niagara once again

successfully hosted the NCAA

Division I Men’s Basketball

Championship First and Second

Rounds at the HSBC Arena. All three

parties will host that event again in

2007 and 2010. The MAAC and

Rider University will co-host the 2009

NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball

Championship Regional as well 2010

NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball

Championship First and Second Rounds at the Sovereign Bank Arena in

Trenton, New Jersey after recording the third highest attendance figure for

the women’s championship with the First and Second Rounds last season.

MAAC Associate Sports

In January of 1993, the conference announced the formation of the MAAC

Football League, which began play in September 1993. The league consists

of the three football-playing MAAC schools—Iona, Marist and Saint Peter’s

—and two associate members Duquesne and La Salle. The MAAC Football

League keeps costs to a minimum through a series of innovative conference

rules involving travel squad size, length of the practice season, and a limited

number of full-time coaches. Most importantly, however, there are no athletic

scholarships, just need-based financial aid.

In June of 1995, the MAAC continued to develop opportunities for studentathletes

as the conference announced the formation of the MAAC Men’s and

Women’s Lacrosse Leagues. The men’s league began competition in the

spring of 1996, while the women’s league commenced in the spring of 1997.

The men’s league consists of four MAAC schools—Canisius, Manhattan,

Marist, and Siena—and five associate members—Mount St. Mary’s,

Providence, Saint Joseph’s, Virginia Military Institute and Wagner. The

women’s league consists of MAAC institutions Canisius, Fairfield, Manhattan,

Marist, Niagara and Siena, plus Le Moyne.

In 2002, the MAAC added the MAAC Women’s Water Polo League, making

it the 25th sport that the conference sponsors. The league is made up of

three MAAC schools—Iona, Marist and Siena—as well as three associate

members, St. Francis (NY), Villanova and Wagner.

Academics and Athletics

The MAAC prides itself on the accomplishments of its student-athletes in

the classroom, as well as on the field. Mary Beth Riley, a 1991 graduate of

Canisius, was the first recipient of the NCAA Woman of the Year Award. In

the fall of 1998, Erin Whalen, a member of the Iona women’s rowing team,

was awarded one of the nation’s 32 Rhodes Scholarships for academic

achievement and civic leadership. Jose Vargas, a Loyola student, was also

awarded a Rhodes Scholarship in 1999.

First-class facilities are the rule with MAAC schools, as teams regularly

play in top-notch arenas, such as Madison Square Garden, the Continental

Airlines Arena, HSBC Arena, Pepsi Arena, the Arena at Harbor Yard and

Sovereign Bank Arena. The other MAAC championships boast their share of

outstanding locales as well, such as Dutchess Stadium in Fishkill, N.Y., home

of the baseball championship, and the fabled Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx,

where the cross country championships are contested. This year, the

MAAC will take its Volleyball Championship as well as Men’s

and Women’s Golf Championships to Orlando, Florida,

where it will conduct its post-season championships

at Disney’s Wide World of Sports

Complex. In 2007, the MAAC Men’s

Soccer Championship will be at Walt

Disney World.

In the past several years, several

of the MAAC schools have also

enjoyed success in NCAA

Tournaments. MAAC schools have

made a total of 69 NIT appearances

and 37 NCAA appearances.

Combined with recent bracket expansion

in several sports, the MAAC possesses

11 automatic bids in men’s and women’s basketball,

baseball, softball, men’s and women’s soccer,

volleyball, men’s golf, men’s and women’s tennis, and

men’s lacrosse. In 2003, the Iona College men’s cross country

team finished fourth—just one point out of third place—at the

NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships. Canisius softball,

Manhattan track, Manhattan and Marist baseball and Loyola soccer and

lacrosse have also flourished on the national stage.

The MAAC has also been a leader in the forefront of technology, expanding the

notoriety of the league into cyberspace. In 2001, the league retained Host

Communications, Inc. to sponsor the MAAC web page. Launched in November

1999, www.maacsports.com has been a great success, providing fans with upto-date

contest results, fan polls and an online merchandise store.

The MAAC President for the 2006-2007 academic year is Rev. Joseph L.

Levesque, C.M., the President of Niagara University. The Vice-President is

Rev. Brian F. Linnane, S.J., the President of Loyola College. Eugene Doris,

Director of Athletics at Fairfield University, will chair the Committee on

Athletic Administration, and Traci Murphy, Associate Athletics Director/

Senior Woman Administrator at Canisius College will serve as Vice Chair.

Siena College Volleyball 2006 21

Athletic Academic Support Program

Nearly 15% of Siena students participate on one or more of Siena’s varsity

intercollegiate athletic teams. As members of the Metro Atlantic Athletic

Conference, Siena student-athletes reap the benefits of both worlds – the

opportunity to engage in a challenging and stimulating academic environment,

along with the chance to develop their athletic potential as members

of competitive NCAA Division I teams. The support services provided to

student-athletes are designed to offer assistance and resources, in addition

to encouragement and guidance as they strive to maintain balance and

achieve excellence in their academic and athletic careers. Services include

monitoring academic and degree progress, supervision of study hall, coordination

of enrichment and educational programming, as well as interaction

with academic advisors and faculty within the various Liberal Arts, Science

and Business colleges.

Saints Supporting Saints – Academic Tutoring Service

The latest resource implemented to academic support services for studentathletes,

Saints Supporting Saints is a program designed to provide studentathletes

with immediate assistance in their attempt to gain control of their

academic success. Student-athletes who excel at certain subjects are utilized

as tutors, helping fellow Saints achieve their academic goals. The program

is funded by the athletic department. Tutors are available for all three schools

(Arts, Business and Science) of study at Siena.

Athletic Study Center

In the fall of 2004, the Siena athletic department introduced a new Study

Center located on the second floor of the Marcelle Athletic Complex.

Complete with several desktop computers, and internet hookups for laptops,

the Study Center is the perfect location to for student-athletes to

complete their out-of-class education. Incoming freshmen and at-risk studentathletes

are required to attend study hall throughout the academic year as

described in the Siena Student-Athlete Handbook.

On-Campus Resources

The state-of-the-art J. Spencer & Patricia Standish Library opened in 1999

and exceeds all the resources expected from an institution of higher education.

Students are also encouraged to take advantage of The Writing Center

at Siena College, which exists to provide free, one-on-one tutoring to all

members of the Siena College Community, working with writers from all

levels of experience, ability, and expertise. The Siena Career Center is also

an excellent resource dedicated to teaching the career development process

to students through innovative and quality career services.

The J. Spencer & Patricia Standish Library

Student Services and Personal Development

The S.A.IN.T.S. Program: Supporting Athletes IN Their Success

Life Skills

Developed by the Siena College athletic department, the S.A.IN.T.S. program

represents a commitment to the total growth and development of the

student-athlete. This program establishes an administrative commitment to

academic and athletic excellence. These efforts are

supported with programs and services in personal

development and community service.

Personal Development

Fostering the development of personal growth is

paramount to the S.A.IN.T.S. program. During the

course of the academic year, several support programs

are offered for student-athletes providing

opportunities to focus on personal growth issues

such as values classification, goal setting, fiscal

planning, nutrition, decision-making and personal

responsibility. Programming focuses on helping

student-athletes develop a healthy lifestyle while

at Siena College as well as habits that will benefit

them for life.

S.A.A.C.

The Student-Athlete

Advisory Committee

(S.A.A.C.) is a studentathlete

organization focused

on creating programs and

events that provide goodwill

across all of Siena’s

18 sport teams. The group

takes part in several

volunteer programs in the

neighboring community.

Also, S.A.A.C. is instrumental

in voicing the student-athletes

concerns for

Elizabeth Akin and April London

Volleyball S.A.A.C. Representatives

Ellen Howe

S.A.IN.T.S./Champs Life

Skills Coordinator

Siena College athletics and for their respective teams. S.A.A.C. is comprised

of a representative from each sports team, and an alternate from each team.

The members of this organization have proven to be effective leaders and

role models for their team, and are the voices for Siena Athletics.

22 Siena College Volleyball 2006

The S.A.IN.T.S. Cup

The S.A.IN.T.S. Cup is a competition created to encourage participation in

the Champs/Life Skills Program at Siena College. It gives student-athletes

the opportunity to gain experience and earn points in the five main NCAA

Champs/Life Skills components (academic excellence, career development,

personal development, community service, and athletic excellence). The

focus of the program is to develop the individual as a role

model, team member, and community leader.

Each team is awarded points for participation in

the S.A.IN.T.S. Cup Program. All academic and athletic

excellence points are automatically tallied at the end

of each semester. Points are also awarded in the areas

of community service, personal and career

development.

Two men’s and women’s sports teams with the

highest point total at the end of each academic

year will be announced as the winners. The winning

teams hold on to the S.A.IN.T.S. Cup for a

year, and are awarded $500. The money is then added

to the team’s budget and is used at the coaches’ and

players’ discretion.

S.A.IN.T.S. Cup Champions

2005-2006 Men’s Lacrosse and Women’s Soccer

2004-2005 Men’s Lacrosse and Women’s Softball

2003-2004 Men’s Soccer and Women’s Soccer

Sports Medicine

Under the direction of head athletic trainer

Greg Dashnaw, entering his 22nd year at Siena,

the sports medicine office is responsible for the

prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries

to Siena’s athletes. Over the past two decades,

Dashnaw has had a tremendous impact on the

development and general health of Siena’s student

athletes. The sports medicine office also works

with the athletes on nutritional counseling and

stress management, promoting the physical and

psychological well being of student-athletes. Greg Dashnaw

Student-athletes have access to some of the most Head Athletic Trainer

modern treatment available in the Siena training

room. The treatment area includes eight treatment tables with various

modalites including electric stimulation and ultrasound as well as an

additional taping platform. Siena’s athletes also have access to three

full-body whirlpools for hydrotherapy, two ice

machines, two full-size hydrocollatots for hot

packs, and combination cold/intermittent compression

units. The sports medicine office also utilizes

numerous rehabilitation devices, including aquatic

therapy through the use of the onsite pool to

ensure student-athletes safe and quick recovery to

pre-injury (if not better) levels.

The athletic training staff works under the direct

supervision of a team of physicians. Included

among the team, Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Joseph Dr. Joseph Marotta ’80

Marotta, a former lacrosse player and 1980 graduate

of Siena, and General Practitioner Dr. Vincent

Luvera make regular visits to campus and cover several events during the

course of the athletic season.

Strength and Conditioning

The Siena College strength and conditioning program is designed to physically

prepare athletes for competition at the Division I level. Preaching safety,

efficiency, and intensity, the program is designed to allow athletes to push

themselves to the limit, testing their physical capacity, and mental resolve to

be a MAAC champion. The means to this end are encompassed through

strength training sessions, in addition to work on flexibility, speed and agility,

low-level plyometrics, and sport-specific conditioning. While the program does

produce athletes who are bigger, stronger, and faster, the number one priority

is to train athletes in all of the aforementioned areas of strength and conditioning,

so that they are less likely to become injured during competition.

At Siena, athletes are taught that “more” work is not better, but rather “hard”

work is better. In the weight room, athletes are taught to train to muscular

fatigue on each set that they perform; due to this

intensive style, the athletes are always able to

complete a strength training session in 45 minutes

to 1 hour, while working out anywhere from 2-4

times per week. Since injury prevention is a top

concern, the athletes are never asked to perform

exercises that could jeopardize their safety, and

are always asked to lift “under control.” Strength

and Conditioning Coach Matt Phelps is always on

hand to supervise team lifts, and to ensure that

the athletes are making the most out of their time

in the weight room by always asking them to “get

stronger today.”

Matt Phelps ’02

Strength and Conditioning

Coach

In the world of collegiate athletics, championships

are earned, and this process begins with the off-season strength and conditioning

workouts. Through safe, intense, and efficient training methods, the

athletes of Siena College are doing everything in their power to achieve this

ultimate badge of honor; winning a MAAC championship.

Siena College Volleyball 2006 23

Siena College Administration

Fr. Kevin E. Mackin, O.F.M. -

President

Fr. Kevin E. Mackin, O.F.M., is beginning

his 11th year as the ninth president of

Siena College.

A member of the Franciscans of Holy Name

Province from New York City, he has held

several executive positions with the friars, including

member of the Board of Directors, education

chairman, director of Development and Public

Relations, and director of St. Anthony’s Guild.

Fr. Mackin was ordained a priest in 1964. He

first served at Siena College from 1970-82 as assistant and associate professor

of religious studies, as chair of the department for two years, and as leader of

the Franciscan community. In 1982, he was appointed president-rector of Christ

the King Seminary, a graduate theological school in East Aurora, N.Y. During

his tenure there, he chaired the Seminary Department of the National Catholic

Educational Association, Washington, D.C.

He has studied and lectured on a variety of topics, including the Bible, Jesus and

the Gospels, Christian theology, and contemporary Catholic and Protestant thought.

His writings include the book “In Search of the Authentic Christian Tradition.”

He also hosts the “News & Views” radio program, aired in New York’s Capital

Region at 88.3 FM, and heard worldwide on the Internet at wvcr.com

Fr. Mackin earned a bachelor’s degree at St. Bonaventure University, a master’s

degree in history from Siena College, and four degrees from the Catholic University

of America, including a doctorate in sacred theology. He extended his education

at the Instituto Mexicano Norteamericano in Mexico City, Laval University in

Quebec City, Georgetown University, the Indiana University Center of Philanthropy,

the Institute of Charitable Giving and the Harvard Institutes of Higher Education,

among other institutions.

During Fr. Mackin’s tenure as president, Siena College has reached unprecedented

growth in its offerings. The Siena campus has several recent state-of-the-art

additions, including the Standish Library, the Sarazen Student Union, the Key

Auditorium and the Morrell Science Center. The College has substantially

increased technology; a crown jewel is the Hickey Financial Technology Center.

Siena has a college-wide honors program, and features 25 major fields of study,

including biochemistry, creative arts, and computational science. Other newsmaker

programs include nanotechnology courses, globalization studies, Center

for the Study of Government and Politics, broadcast studies, and a cutting-edge

program in atmospheric and space studies.

Taking advantage of these and other Siena College offerings is a healthy enrollment

of 3,000 full-time students.

Fr. Mackin has served on various national, diocesan, Franciscan and educational

committees, including reaccreditation teams and papal visitation teams in

the United States. He is a commissioner of the Middle States Commission on

Higher Education, the organization that accredits more than 500 colleges and

universities. He also serves on the board of directors of the Association of

Catholic Colleges and Universities, an organization of over 200 institutions.

He chairs the Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities, and the

Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Council of Presidents, and belongs to the

Association of Governing Boards of Colleges & Universities. In the State of New

York, he is a former trustee of the Commission on Independent Colleges and

Universities, which counts Siena College as an active member.

Fr. Mackin is also active on the board of directors of the Albany-Colonie

Chamber of Commerce, and the advisory board for KeyBank National

Association’s Capital Region district. He shepherds Siena’s membership in the

Center for Economic Growth, and other associations. He is also affiliated with

the Catholic Theological Society of America, the Association of Fund Raising

Professionals, and the International Who’s Who of Professionals.

Fr. James Toal, O.F.M. -

Vice President

Fr. James Toal, O.F.M. enters his 10th year at

Siena as vice president/office of the president,

after serving as president of Quincy University in

Quincy, Il. for 14 years.

As vice president, Fr. Toal is responsible for assisting

Fr. Mackin with college operational matters,

coordinating special projects of the college, as well

as overseeing Siena’s department of athletics. Under

his leadership, the College has made an increased

commitment to athletics each of the past six years.

While at Quincy, Fr. Toal’s leadership was integral in the acquisition of major

funding from the Ameritech Foundation, the initiation of graduate programs in

business administration and education, and the renovations and additions to the

school’s North and Main Campuses. The grant money received from the

Ameritech Foundation enabled Quincy to create the Ameritech Center for

Communications, enhancing the University’s integrated writing program.

Previously, Fr. Toal served as executive vice president at St. Bonaventure University

from 1976-83, and was active on several committees, chairing the University Finance

Committee, the Long-Range Planning Team and the Athletic Advisory Committee.

A native of New York, N.Y., Fr. Toal received a bachelor’s degree in English from

St. Francis College in Brooklyn in 1956. He proceeded to earn his master’s in

English from St. John’s in 1966 and a Ph.D. in college administration and supervision

from Fordham University in 1976. Fr. Toal was ordained to the Franciscan

priesthood in 1975.

John D’Argenio –

Director of Athletics

John D’Argenio was appointed director of athletics

on April 21, 1993, after serving as the acting

director of athletics for the 1992-93 academic year.

Since the appointment, many new initiatives have

been set forth and much progress has been made

in the athletic department.

The department’s first academic advising office was

created and a full-time advisor was hired to work with

all of Siena’s student-athletes. The academic office

has been responsible for implementing a tutoring program,

developing educational programming and producing a student-athlete population

whose combined grade-point average is higher than that of the general student

body. In recent years, Siena’s student-athlete graduation rate has ranked among

the best in the country. In the NCAA’s inaugural graduation success rate announced

in 2006, Siena student athletes finished 5th among all Division I schools.

As part of the college’s efforts to address gender equity, the women’s sports programs

have expanded immensely in the past 10 years. With the addition of golf, women’s

swimming and diving, women’s water polo and the elevation of lacrosse from club

to varsity status, Siena now sponsors 11 Division I women’s sports.

In 1996 D’Argenio was instrumental in negotiating Siena’s agreement with the

County of Albany and Pepsi Arena to move all of the College’s men’s home basketball

games to the downtown facility. The move to the state-of-the-art downtown Albany

facility culminated in Siena and the Arena signing a five-year contract and most

recently a four-year extension. Since the move, both the men’s and women’s basketball

programs have seen their attendances soar to the top-80 nationally. Since the

move to the Arena, Siena has also made major strides in the marketing of its programs.

An active corporate partnership program has emerged on the heels of the

1996 decision that includes over 45 local and national businesses.

Athletic Development has increased over the past eight years as well. Saints Alive!,

the department’s athletic development organization, was initiated in 1998 to formalize

and bring structure to the department’s fundraising efforts and its membership

24 Siena College Volleyball 2006

has grown each year since. Over a quarter of a million dollars is raised annually

and distributed directly to services that benefit the College’s student-athletes.

Siena teams have enjoyed conference-wide as well as regional and national success.

In 2005-2006, a record four programs captured MAAC Championships. Siena’s

women’s tennis, volleyball and men’s golf teams advanced to the NCAA Tournament

last year. The Saints’ basketball programs have enjoyed postseason success under

D’Argenio’s supervision as well. In 1994 the men’s basketball team made a memorable

run through the National Invitation Tournament, ending with a trip to Madison Square

Garden to play in that Tournament’s final round. The Saints made their third NCAA

Tournament appearance in 2002, marching off with an opening round victory. The

women’s basketball team has captured seven regular-season Metro Atlantic Athletic

Conference titles and, in 2001, advanced to its first NCAA Tournament in Nashville,

Tenn. The Saints have played in three postseason WNIT’s as well, advancing as far

as the round of 16 in 1998. Siena has registered five MAAC volleyball championships

and four MAAC baseball titles during D’Argenio’s tenure. The women’s soccer

program has consistently finished in the upper echelon of the MAAC after posting

the nation’s eighth most improved season in 2001. All totaled the Saints have won

20 MAAC championships under D’Argenio’s direction.

Siena’s athletic facilities have been dramatically enhanced in the last 12 years. In

2004 the Callanan Field House was expanded. The expansion features four team

rooms as well as the Turchi Theater, a 32-seat room equipped with the latest in

digital editing and presentation equipment. All of Siena’s outdoor facilities have

seen improvements as well and plans are in the works for a multipurpose outdoor

field with bleacher seating and a press box.

In 1995, D’Argenio served as Tournament Director for the NCAA Men’s Basketball

Championship first and second rounds at the then-Knickerbocker Arena. He again

assumed those duties in March of 2003, as Siena served as the host institution for

the men’s basketball East (Albany) Regional at Pepsi Arena after co-hosting the

NCAA wrestling National Championships in March of 2002. The Saints have hosted

numerous NIT and Women’s NIT games as well, including a remarkable six in 2003.

Prior to his appointment to director of athletics, D’Argenio served as Siena’s sports

information director from 1985-1992.

D’Argenio currently serves on the NCAA Division I Baseball committee and is a

member of the MAAC marketing and finance committees. He serves on the Albany

County Convention and Visitors Bureau as well.

D’Argenio earned a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Dayton in 1982

and a master’s of science degree from North Dakota State University in 1985. He

is a native of Rome, N.Y.

Joyce Eggleston

Associate

Athletic Director/

Compliance

Scott Knapp ’01

Corporate Sales

Manager

Kimberly Moutz

Assistant Athletic

Director –

Development

Camelia Trahan

Athletic Marketing

Manager

Dennis Bates

Assistant Athletic

Director – Business

Operations

Ellen Howe – Life Skills Coordinator

Brian Brecht – Operations Assistant

Jake McHerron – Facility Assistant

Lynda Lareau – Facilities Assistant

Greg Dashnaw – Head Athletic Trainer

Matt Phelps ’02 – Strength and

Conditioning

Rob Swingle – Aquatics Coordinator

Jeffrey Ellis – Intramural Coordinator

Siena College Head Coaching Staff

Tony Rossi

Baseball

Brian Brecht

Men’s Lacrosse

Lynda Lareau

Field Hockey

Timothy O’Brien

Women’s Tennis

Sybille Cowan

Coaches’ Secretary

Fran McCaffery

Men’s Basketball

Charlie Curto ’79

Men’s Soccer

Dave Wronowski

Women’s Golf

Garvey Pierre

Volleyball

Megan Gilligan

Administrative

Secretary

Jim Bowles

Men’s and

Women’s Cross

Country

Jim Serbalik

Men’s Tennis

Jake McHerron

Women’s Lacrosse

Rob Swingle

Water Polo

Tom Wronowski

Men’s Golf

Gina Castelli

Women’s

Basketball

Steve

Karbowski ’93

Women’s Soccer

Greg Brown

Swimming/Diving

Siena College Volleyball 2006 25

Saints in the Community

For the fifth straight year, the Siena women’s basketball team donated a portion of the ticket sales to the Capital Region Action Against Breast Cancer (CRAAB). At this year’s game against

Iona, several area breast cancer survivors were honored before the game. Above: Laura Menty escorts a survivor during pregame introductions.

One of the main objectives of the Siena Athletic Department has always

been to remain actively involved in the Capital Region community. Siena’s

student-athletes and coaches make numerous appearances in local classrooms

and hospitals and volunteer hundreds of hours to help out many

organizations. Additionally, the athletic department has donated thousands

of dollars in game tickets, sports camps scholarships and sporting apparel

and memorabilia to local charities.

From soup kitchens to elementary schools, Siena invests its special

resources each year to enrich the Capital Region community.

Partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities

In 2005-2006, Siena athletics embarked on an active

partnership with the Ronald McDonald House Charities

in the Capital Region. Throughout the school year, all of

Siena’s athletic teams were involved in visiting either

the Ronald McDonald House in Albany or the Ronald

McDonald Family Room at the Albany Medical Center.

Student-athletes and coaches help lift the spirits of the

sick children and their families by preparing meals at

the House, assisting in spring cleanup efforts or simply

signing autographs and playing games with the

patients in the Family Room.

By creating, finding and supporting programs that directly improve the health

and well-being of children, Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) is

working to better the lives of children and their families around the world.

Adopt-A-School Program

The newly redesigned Adopt-A-School program is a community initiative

intended to motivate area elementary students through interaction with

Siena’s student-athletes. Members of Siena’s athletic teams interact with

designated schools throughout the year. In addition to providing guidance and

leadership to area youths, Siena’s student athletes learn first hand the value

of volunteering in the community. The elementary students can find that

learning is fun as teachers incorporate Siena Athletics into class lesson plans

(i.e. using statistics for math assignments, or writing the players for English).

Siena’s current Adopted Schools are:

Albany Public School #18

St. Gregory’s School for Boys

Schenectady Middle School

Acadia (Shenedehowa) Elementary School

St. Pius

Left: Members of the men’s basketball team visit with children at the Ronald McDonald family room in the Albany Medical Center. Center: Head women’s soccer coach Steve Karbowski lends

a hand at the annual Ronald McDonald House spring cleaning in Albany. Right: The women’s tennis team was one of several sports programs to spend an afternoon preparing a meal for the

families at the Ronald McDonald House in Albany.

26 Siena College Volleyball 2006

St. Casmir’s Wednesdays

Siena Athletics began a partnership with St. Casmir’s elementary school in

2001, providing an athletic facility for the Arbor Hill School which does not

have a gym. Over the years, the program has flourished. Each Wednesday

during the school year, students from St. Casmir visit the Marcelle Athletic

Complex to play various recreational activities with Siena student-athletes.

The youngsters are coached by Siena’s student-athletes in various athletic

skills. Athletic Academic Advisor Sue Horst has overseen the implementation

of the program for Siena. “Siena student-athletes have earned the reputation

of balancing and achieving both academic and athletic success,”

Horst remarked. “Bringing the students of St. Casmir School to Siena gives

them the rewarding experience of learning from and looking up to their role

models right here on campus, and gives our students a chance to be

involved in the community.”

Siena’s Amtrak Lil’ Saints

Program

Amtrak Lil’ Saints is a fun and exciting

club for fans 14 or younger who wish

to support Siena Athletics throughout

the season. Membership includes:

• A welcome letter from a studentathlete

on favorite sports team

• Photo membership ID card w/ lanyard

• Club t-shirt

• Monthly issue of Lil’ Saints Newsletter

• Birthday card from the Saints

• Radio Disney Fun Zone at select basketball games

• Free admission to eight (8) basketball games: four (4) men’s and

four (4) women’s games

• Free admission to ALL volleyball, soccer, softball, baseball,

lacrosse,water polo, swimming and diving, tennis and field hockey games

• Special Celebration Day in honor of the National Student Athlete Day at

the ARC with all 18 varsity sports teams

• End of the year Rootbeer Float Party with Siena student-athletes

• Chances to win prizes and much more!

Members of Siena’s softball and baseball teams volunteer with the St.

Casmir’s Wednesdays Program.

Other Saints in the Community Activities Include,

But Are Not Limited To:

• National Student-Athlete Day

• Partnership with CRAAB through Breast Cancer Awareness Week

• National Girls and Women in Sports Day

• Albany’s 15-Love Foundation

• MAAC Gives Back Program

• NCAA YES Clinics

• Special Olympics

• New Day Art

Left: The Siena volleyball team spends a spring afternoon helping out with Albany’s Kids in the Kitchen program. Right: Women’s basketball players help unload and stack merchandise

donated at a men’s/women’s doubleheader at the Northeast Regional Food Bank. The goods helped restock the Food Bank after the busy holiday season.

Siena College Volleyball 2006 27

Saints in the Classroom

Siena’s student-athletes have a history of success on the courts and playing

fields, but an even prouder tradition of excellence in the classroom. Siena’s

student-athletes regularly outperform the general student

body, and in recent years, the athletic department has

received national acclaim for the academic success attained

by its student-athletes.

• Siena tied for fifth nationally

with a Graduation Success

Rate of 97% in 2005-2006

1. Radford 100%

2. Navy 99%

3. Notre Dame 98%

3. Valparaiso 98%

5. Siena 97%

• Siena’s student-athletes have a 3.03

cumulative grade point average

• A record 83 student-athletes were

named to conference All-Academic

Teams in 2005-2006

• Both the men’s and women’s cross

country programs were recognized

as National All-Academic Teams with Distinction

• The National Field Hockey Coaches Association recognized the

Siena Field Hockey team as one of 55 National Academic Teams

• The Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association

acknowledged the Siena women’s lacrosse team as one of 38

IWLCA Honor Squads

• Volleyball player

Liz Hubbard was

named an ESPN the

Magazine Academic

All-District First-Team

selection. Hubbard was

also named MAAC

Woman of the Year and

MAAC Humanitarian

of the Year

Liz Hubbard spent the summer of 2005 in Kenya

performing an internship as part of Siena’s

nationally renowned Albany-Med program.

• Men’s Lacrosse senior Matt Walsh was

named an All-American Scholar,

becoming the first lacrosse player

in school history to earn the honor

• 11 of Siena’s 18 Division I

programs posted a team GPA of

3.0 or higher in 2005-2006

� Women’s Cross Country – 3.42

� Volleyball – 3.32

� Women’s Basketball – 3.23

� Women’s Golf – 3.27

� Men’s Cross Country – 3.20

� Men’s Tennis – 3.19

� Field Hockey – 3.19

� Women’s Soccer – 3.18

� Women’s Lacrosse – 3.15

� Women’s Tennis – 3.10

� Softball – 3.00

In 2002, USA Today presented Siena College

with a plaque in recognition of overall excellence

in academic achievement. The department

ranked ninth among all Division I schools in

national graduation rates that year, one of two

appearances in the top-15 in the last five years.

Siena student-athletes reap the benefits of both worlds—the opportunity to

engage in a challenging and stimulating academic environment, combined

with the chance to develop their athletic potential as members of competitive

NCAA Division I teams. The support services provided to the student-athletes

are designed to offer assistance and resources, in addition to encouragement

and guidance. Services include monitoring academic and degree progress,

supervision of study hall, coordination of enrichment and educational programming,

as well as interaction with academic advisors and faculty within the

various Liberal Arts, Science and Business colleges.

28 Siena College Volleyball 2006

The Record Book

As a junior, Christie Gustafson became fourth all-time

in kills in school history.

Single-Season Records

Games Played

Jessica Ladieu 142 (’97)

Blocks/Blocks Per Game

Donna DeFrancesco 153 (’95)/1.5 per game (’96)

Assists/Assists Per Game

Jessica Ladieu 1319 (’97)

April London 10.4 per game (’05)

Hitting Percentage (Middle Hitters)

Donna DeFrancesco .386 (’96)

Hitting Percentage (Outside Hitters)

Kristin May .351 (’96)

Hitting Percentage (Setters)

April London .303 (’05)

Kills Per Game

Nadiege Honore 3.96 (’05)

Kristin May 3.87 (’96)

Digs/Digs Per Game

Kerry O’Reilly 535 (’97)

5.156 per game (’99)

Kills

Lauren Weber 515 (’02)

Aces/Aces Per Game

Melanie Buchanan 64 (’92)

.62 per game (’92)

Jessica Hink 64 (’93)

Bold Italic indicates record set during 2005 season

Career Records

Games Played

1. Christina Baldwin . . . . 438

2. Jill Van Bortel . . . . . . . 431

3. Kristin May . . . . . . . . . 419

4. Jeanine Bula . . . . . . . . 410

5. Melanie Buchanan . . . . 400

Blocks

1. Jeanine Murphy . . . . . . 404

2. Donna DeFrancesco. . . 402

3. Christina Baldwin . . . . 351

4. Jessica Hink . . . . . . . . 278

5. Jennifer Corkum . . . . . 254

Bold Italic indicates record set during 2005 season

Assists

1. Sarah Watkins . . . . . 3,064

2. Jessica Ladieu. . . . . . 2,741

3. Melanie Buchanan . . 1,852

4. Rochelle Travers. . . . 1,765

5. April London . . . . . . 1,253

Kills

1. Kristin May . . . . . . . 1,464

2. Lauren Weber . . . . . . 1,349

3. Christina Baldwin . . . 1,100

4. Christie Gustafson . . 1,059

5. Tracy Correale . . . . . 1,021

Sarah Watkins ’02 became the school’s alltime

assist leader in 2001.

Digs

1. Lauren Weber . . . . . . 1,554

2. Kerry O’Reilly. . . . . . 1,397

3. Jeanine Bula . . . . . . . 1,377

4. Kristin May . . . . . . . 1,165

5. Jessica Ladieu . . . . . . . 993

Aces

1. Melanie Buchanan . . . . 211

2. Jessica Hink . . . . . . . . 202

3. Kristin May . . . . . . . . . 160

4. Jeanine Bula . . . . . . . . 153

5. Brittany Guigli. . . . . . . 124

Siena College Volleyball 2006 29

The Record Book

Siena Volleyball All-Time Letterwinners

Name (Hometown) Employer, Currently Living

Class of 1975

Sue Kelly (Rensselaer, N.Y.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Rensselaer, N.Y.

Class of 1976

Sue Vincelette/Van Nostrand (Derry, N.H.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NH Technical Clg, Manchester, N.H.

Class of 1977

Jean Harris/Samstag (Lake George, N.Y.). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DST/ Condor, Wellesley Mass

Class of 1978

Maureen Kunkel (Rensselaer, N.Y.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NYS Office for Aging, Albany, N.Y.

Class of 1979

Colleen Moore/Pidgeon (Rensselaer, N.Y.)

Class of 1982

Dr. Cherly Buff (Ballston Lake, N.Y.)

Class of 1984

Teresa Lambert/Underwood (Manlius, N.Y) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jack Slater & Assoc, Liverpool, N.Y

Aileen Taplin/Celentano (Raleigh, N.C.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . London Pacific Life & Annuity, Raleigh N.C.

Class of 1985

Laura Nardone/Palmer (Castleton on Hudson, N.Y.)

Mary Jayne Spellman/Cartularo (Manhasset N.Y.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . AT&T, New York, N.Y.

Class of 1986

Keelin Hayden (Boca Raton, Fla.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sirs Inc., Boca Raton, Fla.

Maureen Morgan (Manlius, N.Y.)

Cheryl Mundweiler (Overland Park, Kan.)

Barbara Rohmann/Huber (Great Neck, N.Y.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Prudential Securities, New York, N.Y.

Sandra Visker/Aceto (Centerville, Ohio). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Muscular Dystrophy, Albany N.Y.

Class of 1987

Diane Wright (Ballston Lake, N.Y.)

Jamila Joseph/Cullen (Melville, N.Y.)

Class of 1988

Elizabeth Burke (Wantagh, N.Y.)

Lynne DeCandido/Allan (Oakland, N.J.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Iona College, New Rochelle, N.Y.

Kathleen Leonard (Croton On Hudson, N.Y.). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pelham Mem. HS, Pelham, N.Y.

Maureen Singer (Albany, N.Y.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SUNY Albany, Albany, N.Y.

Kristin Stapf/Shaver (Gaithersburg, Md.). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Unisys Corporation, Washington, D.C.

Class of 1990

Christine Beaudin (Watervliet, N.Y.). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . General Electric, Schenectady, N.Y.

Lori Castaldo/Schulze (Valhalla, N.Y.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Goldman Sachs & Co., New York, N.Y.

Maura Harding/Clow (Walpole, Mass.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Key Bank of NY, Albany, N.Y.

Deborah Keniston/Cortellesi (Pittstown, N.J.). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Avalon Farm, Pittstown, N.J.

Renee Lelyo/McCaskey (Ramsey, N.J.). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Law Offices of Renee F McCaskey, Ramsey N.J.

Janet Lynch (Medfield, Mass.)

Sarah Manning (Pittsford, N.Y.)

Allison Dukes (Syosset, N.Y.)

Class of 1991

Cathleen O’Donnell/Tone (Port Chester, N.Y.). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eagle Hill Sch., Greenwich, Conn.

Danine Verlezza (West Sand Lake, N.Y.). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Olsten Staffing, Albany, N.Y.

Class of 1992

Amy Stuttard/Markowicz (Clinton, N.Y.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Elementary School, New Hartford, Conn.

Class of 1993

Lisa Green (Rome, N.Y.)

Mary Mitcham (Peekskill, N.Y.)

Chiemi Mizuki/Fukuyama (Tokyo, Japan) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Merrill Lynch Japan Inc., Tokyo

Heidi Stec/Hietala (Waipahu, Hawaii) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Samaritan Hospital, Troy, N.Y.

Class of 1994

Melanie Buchanan/Mills (Bristol, Conn.)

Jessica Hink/Eustace (Olney, Md.)

Lisa Lamborn (Homer, N.Y.). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PM DiCesare & Assoc. Inc., Burnt Hills, N.Y.

Sarah Robinson/Loiars (Springboro, Ohio) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Renbrook Sch., W.Hartford, Conn.

30 Siena College Volleyball 2006

The Record Book

Name (Hometown) Employer, Currently Living

Class of 1995

Sarah Baroody (Danbury, Conn.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Penn State, Hershey, Pa.

Class of 1996

Jeanine Bula/Harding (Massapequa Park, N.Y.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . KMS Consulting, Greenlawn, N.Y.

Brittany Guigli/Jackson (Irvine, Calif.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Allergan Pharmaceuticals, Irvine, Calif.

Rochelle Travers (Playa Del Rey, Calif.). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Quad/Graphics Inc., Marina Del Rey, Calif.

Class of 1997

Susan Salka (Meriden, Conn.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bedford Middle School, Westpoint, Conn.

Lisa Copeland (Queensbury, N.Y.)

Donna De Francesco (Rocky Hill, Conn.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CIGNA, Hartford, Conn.

Kristin May (Roslyn Heights, N.Y.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Attorney

Patricia Tully/Rose (Somers, N.Y.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Physical Therapy

Class of 1998

Meaghan Harding (New York, N.Y.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nursing School, New York, N.Y.

Jessica Ladieu (Medway, Mass.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Teacher, Medway, Mass.

Class of 1999

Casey Legendziewicz (Fairfield, Conn.)

Kimberly Tate (Massapequa, N.Y.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Account Manager for Strategic Delivery at Citi Card, New York, N.Y.

Kara Tavolacci (New York, N.Y.). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Spectrum Center, New York, N.Y.

Class of 2000

Jennifer Cascino (New York, N.Y.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Client Marketing Manager for Sports Illustrated, New York, N.Y.

Tracy Correale (Bethany, Conn.). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Researcher at Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield, Conn.

Jeanie Murphy (Stamford, Conn.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Accounting Manager at Heating Oil Partners, Darien, Conn.

Roxanne Waggle (Auberry, Calif.)

Class of 2001

Christina Baldwin (Rockville Centre, N.Y.)

Kerry O’Reilly (Nesconset, N.Y.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Time, Inc., New York, N.Y.

Jill Van Bortel (Troy, N.Y.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Law Associate at Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom, Manhattan, N.Y.

Class of 2002

Sarah Watkins (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Teacher, Boston, Mass.

Kelly Megyesi (Randolph, N.J.)

Allison McCourt (Port Jefferson, N.Y.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Guidance Counselor at Lindenhurst Middle School, Port Jefferson, N.Y.

Caroline Werdelin (Jamestown, N.Y.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Graduate Student in Sweden

Class of 2003

Jennifer Corkum (Newtown, Conn.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assistant Volleyball Coach, West Virginian University

Marissa Gregg (Stony Point, N.Y.)

Kerris McHugh (New Rochelle, N.Y.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Euro RSCG Magnet, New York, N.Y.

Amy Legendziewicz (Broadalbin, N.Y.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . USIS, Albany, N.Y.

Class of 2004

Katie Sarkovics (Long Branch, N.J.)

Lauren Weber (Sayville, N.Y.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Graduate School Adelphi

Amanda Carrk (Ravena, N.Y.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Teacher, Ravena, N.Y.

Kerry Pease (Corning, N.Y.)

Class of 2005

Diana Wierzba (Eden, N.Y.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Accountant, NYS Department of Taxation and Finance, Buffalo, N.Y.

Abbie Maciolek (Elm Grove, Wisc.)

Leah Mizgalski (Stahlstown, Pa.)

Class of 2006

Liz Hubbard (Newark, Del.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Albany Medical College, Albany, N.Y.

Christa Glenn (St. James, N.Y.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marketing Asst., Smithtown, N.Y./Part-time Graduate student, Stony Brook

* This list was compiled by the Siena sports information office with the assistance from the Office of Alumni Relations. We welcome any corrections or additions.

Siena College Volleyball 2006 31

Siena Athletics

They started out as the Golden Warriors. That proved too long for headlines, so soon, Siena

became the Indians. In March of 1989, they became the Saints.

There was a time, not long ago, when the majority of Siena’s student athletes hailed from

homes in the Capital Region, and jumping in a van and traveling to Saratoga, Troy,

Schenectady and Albany could meet athletic teams’ scheduling requirements.

In 1976, however, Siena’s athletics program was elevated to NCAA Division I status. With that

move, the College committed itself to upgrading its program and making all teams competitive.

After stops in the ECAC Metro and North Atlantic Conference, Siena moved to the Metro

Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) in 1990, where it has made its mark.

Since its move to full Division I status, Siena Athletics has continued to grow. Four years

ago, the program added women’s water polo, giving it seven men’s programs and 11 on

the women’s side.

The Program

Siena sponsors 18 sports at the NCAA Division I level. Seventeen teams compete in the

MAAC, with field hockey playing in the Northeast Conference.

The Saints pride themselves on excellence on and off the field. Siena’s student-athletes regularly

graduate at rates higher than the general student population. Siena tied for fifth nationally in

the inaugural Graduation Success Rate (GSR) this past year. According to the report, Siena’s

student-athletes achieved a 97% GSR. The Saints’ women’s lacrosse, men’s cross country,

women’s cross country, field hockey and water polo teams were all named National Academic

Squads by their respective coaches’ associations in 2005-2006. Additionally, a

record 109 student-athletes were placed on the MAAC honor roll.

Athletic success has continued to improve as well thanks to a continued

commitment from the College to enhance athletic aid, full-time coaching,

and facilities. A record four teams won conference championships in

2005-2006, with women’s volleyball, men’s golf and women’s tennis

earning bids to the NCAA Tournament.

The men’s basketball team has carried the torch for Siena in the

MAAC. First-year head coach Fran McCaffery guided the Saints to the fifth

most improved finish in all of Division I in 2005-2006. In 2002, Siena caught the

nation’s attention with an improbable leap into college basketball’s biggest stage –

the NCAA Tournament, highlighting a span in which the team advanced to the postseason

four times in five years (1999-2003). The Green and Gold continued its

improbable run with an opening round victory over Alcorn State on ESPN before

falling to eventual national champion Maryland before 20,000 fans at the MCI Center in

Washington. It was the team’s third trip to the “Big Dance” (1989, 1999). In 2003, Siena

made its fifth postseason NIT appearance. The Saints have enjoyed great success in the NIT,

advancing as far as the semifinals round at Madison Square Garden in 1994.

The Siena women’s basketball team has captured seven regular-season MAAC titles in the

last 15 years. Under the direction of Gina Castelli, the program has grown into one of the

top in the region. In 2000-2001, the team earned its first MAAC Tournament championship

and initial NCAA berth. The Saints played in the postseason WNIT in 1999, 2002 and 2003.

The volleyball team has one of the richest histories for success, qualifying for 12 conference

championships in the last 14 years. In 2005, the Saints shocked the MAAC by capturing

their fifth conference title despite being picked ninth in the preseason coaches’ poll. The

team won four straight MAAC titles from 1993-96 and reached the 1995 NCAA Tournament.

In April of 2003, Garvey Pierre took over as the program’s first full-time coach as the Saints

look to make the leap to the next level.

The women’s golf team has also achieved breakthrough success, capturing its sixth straight

MAAC Championship at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex in the spring of 2006. Not to

be outdone, the men’s golf team broke through with its second MAAC title this spring after

back-to-back runner-up performances. Senior Bryan Bigley is the two-time Albany Times Union

Siena Male Student-Athlete of the Year. Bigley won the MAAC Individual Championship in

2005 and finished second this past year. He has advanced to the US Open sectional qualifier

the past two summers as well.

The Siena baseball team has won four MAAC Championships since 1995 and advanced to

the 1999 NCAA Tournament. Head Coach Tony Rossi, entering his 38th year, was named

MAAC Coach of the Year for the sixth time in 2005 after guiding an overachieving Siena

team back to the conference championships. Pitcher John Lannan became the 20th player

in program history to be drafted when he was selected in the 11th round of the

First-Year Player’s draft in June of 2005 by the Washington Nationals.

The men’s and women’s soccer programs have experienced recent success and

growth as well. Women’s Head Coach Steve Karbowski was recognized as

the Northeast Region’s Co-Coach of the Year after orchestrating the nation’s

eighth best turnaround in 2001. He has been named MAAC

Coach of the Year twice in his eight seasons as head coach, and last year led the Saints to

a program-record 10 victories for the second consecutive season. Men’s Head Coach

Charlie Curto, in his 23rd season at the helm, guided the Saints back to the MAAC

Tournament in 2004, narrowly missing out on a regular-season title.

In 2005, MAAC Coach of the Year, Jake McHerron, guided the upstart Siena

women’s lacrosse team to the MAAC Championship game for the first time

in program history. McHerron and the Saints have high expectations

once again this spring. Rob Swingle, now in his third season at Siena,

has added life to Siena’s newest sport, women’s water polo. Swingle was

named MAAC Coach of the Year in 2005, and welcomes in his second recruiting class this

fall with an aim toward reaching the MAAC Tournament for the first time.

In the fall of 2003, the field hockey team advanced to the NEC Tournament behind head

coach Lynda Lareau, who will again try to turn that trick this fall.

The men’s lacrosse program appears on the verge of taking off. In July of 2004 Brian

Brecht took over as the program’s first full-time head coach, raising the expectations for

the growing program. Brecht was named MAAC Co-Coach of the Year in 2005 and the

Saints have improved their MAAC finish in each of his first two seasons.

Siena’s softball and women’s swimming and diving programs will be under the direction of

new coaches in 2006-2007 as both programs look to ascend the MAAC ladder. Veteran

men’s tennis coach Jim Serbalik and head cross country coach Jim Bowles welcome in a

talented crop of recruits to join their progressing programs. The women’s tennis team will

have an excellent chance to repeat its conference championship in the spring. Sophomore

Sarah Mayer set a program record with 22 singles victories as a freshman. She was the

first Siena athlete in any sport to be named MAAC Rookie of the Year, MAAC Player of

the Year and MAAC Tournament MVP.

Facilities

Most Siena teams make their homes on-campus, playing on the seven grass fields located

behind the Marcelle Athletic Complex (MAC). This year the department will break ground

on a multiple-purpose, outdoor athletic facility which will serve as a venue for Siena

lacrosse, field hockey and soccer.

Inside the Marcelle Athletic Complex, Siena student-athletes have all the amenities to ensure

their abilities to compete at the Division I level. Many student-athletes enjoyed the benefits of

a state-of-the-art expansion to the field house. The expansion, dedicated in July of 2004, features

four “team rooms,” as well as the Turchi Theater for film review and scouting. The men’s and

women’s basketball locker rooms were also restructured as part of the project.

The women’s basketball and volleyball teams play their home contests at the 4,000-seat

Alumni Recreation Center (ARC), which received a cosmetic facelift this past summer.

Siena’s men’s basketball team makes its home at the Pepsi Arena in downtown Albany.

The Pepsi Arena (to be renamed the Times Union Center on January 1, 2007) is a regionally

acclaimed 14,750-seat facility. Since its full-time move to the Pepsi Arena prior to the

1996-97 season, both the men’s and women’s basketball team’s attendances have soared

into the top-100 in the country.

Academic Support

Siena prides itself in its student-athletes’ success academically. A full-time academic advisor

is on hand to provide assistance for student-athletes, helping in class scheduling and tutorial

services. In 2002, an assistant advisor was hired to assist with the NCAA’s Champs Life

Skills initiative – known as S.A.IN.T.S. (Supporting Athletes in Their

Success) at Siena.

The department’s major undertaking in the summer of 2004 was the construction

of a new study hall facility for the exclusive use of student athletes.

The study lounge is located on the second floor of the MAC and includes all

the amenities and technological resources needed to assure the continued

academic success for Siena’s student-athletes.

In addition, the technologically advanced J. Spencer and Patricia

Standish library, which opened in 2000, serves as a scenic backdrop

to the baseball field and is a short

walk from any point on campus.

32 Siena College Volleyball 2006

Siena Volleyball TV/Radio Roster

Elizabeth Akin

Junior • 6-0

Outside Hitter

Monument, Colo./Palmer

# 2

# 8

Celeste Sisson

Sophomore • 5-7

Defensive Specialist

Charleston, N.Y./Fonda-Fultonville

# 19

Burgandy McCurty

Freshman • 5-11

Middle Hitter/Right Side

Port Washington, N.Y./Schreiber

# 20

April London

Sophomore • 5-10

Setter

Woodbury, Minn./Woodbury

# 23

Jessica Hackett

Junior • 5-8

Setter/Defensive Specialist

Pawling, N.Y./Pawling

# 3

Christie Gustafson

Senior • 6-0

Outside Hitter

Rochester, N.Y./Gates Chili

# 10

Janine Pesusich

Junior • 6-1

Middle Hitter

Farmington Hills, Mich./Marian

Kelly Hummel

Sophomore • 6-0

Middle Hitter

Hamburg, N.Y./Frontier

# 5

# 11

Kaui Robello

Freshman • 5-7

Setter/Defensive Specialist

Honolulu, Hawaii/Punahou

# 6

Nadiege Honore

Junior • 6-0

Outside Hitter

San Fernando, Trinidad/Naparima Girls

# 14

Emily Kruglik

Sophomore • 6-3

Middle Hitter

Coventry, Conn./Coventry

Kathi Kobayashi

Sophomore • 5-2

Libero

Aiea, Hawaii/Punahou

# 7

# 16

Andrea McBride

Freshman • 5-10

Outside Hitter/Defensive Specialist

Hicksville, N.Y./Trinity

Kathi Kobayshi

Sophomore

Libero

2006 Schedule

August

25 Arizona Tucson, Ariz. (Wildcat Invitational) 10 a.m.

26 San Francisco Tucson, Ariz. (Wildcat Invitational) 10 a.m.

26 Northern Colorado Tucson, Ariz. (Wildcat Invitational) 4:30 p.m.

September

1 Syracuse Syracuse, N.Y. (Big Orange Tournament) 7 p.m.

2 Kentucky Syracuse, N.Y. (Big Orange Tournament) 10 a.m.

2 New Hampshire Syracuse, N.Y. (Big Orange Tournament) 2 p.m.

8 Stony Brook Stony Brook, N.Y. (Stony Brook Tournament) 1:30 p.m.

8 Yale Stony Brook, N.Y. (Stony Brook Tournament) 5:30 p.m.

9 Princeton Hamilton, N.Y. (Colgate Tournament) 12:30 p.m.

9 Colgate Hamilton, N.Y. (Colgate Tournament) 6 p.m.

16 Canisius* Loudonville, N.Y. 2 p.m.

17 Niagara* Loudonville, N.Y. 2 p.m.

20 Binghamton Loudonville, N.Y. 7 p.m.

23 Saint Peter’s* Loudonville, N.Y. 2 p.m.

24 Manhattan* Loudonville, N.Y. 2 p.m.

26 Albany Albany, N.Y. 7 p.m.

30 Loyola* Baltimore, Md. (Towson University) 11 a.m.

October

1 Rider* Lawrenceville, N.J. 11 a.m.

4 Marist* Poughkeepsie, N.Y. 7 p.m.

7 Fairfield* Loudonville, N.Y. 2 p.m.

14 Iona* New Rochelle, N.Y. 4 p.m.

15 Manhattan* Manhattan, N.Y. 2 p.m.

17 Syracuse Loudonville, N.Y. 7 p.m.

21 Rider* Loudonville, N.Y. 4 p.m.

22 Loyola* Loudonville, N.Y. 2 p.m.

28 Saint Peter’s* Jersey City, N.J. 1 p.m.

29 Fairfield* Fairfield, Conn. 2 p.m.

November

4 Niagara* Lewiston, N.Y. noon

5 Canisius* Buffalo, N.Y. 2 p.m.

9 Marist* Loudonville, N.Y. 7 p.m.

12 Iona* Loudonville, N.Y. 4 p.m.

16-18 MAAC Championships

Orlando, Fla. (Disney) TBA

*MAAC Contest

Telecast on Time Warner Cable Channel 3 in the Capital Region

Home games in bold

All times are local

2006 Media Guide - Community

Don't wait! Try Yumpu.
Start using Yumpu now!

products

Features

Resources

Developer

Company

Pro Features

Help & Support

Integrations

Plans & Pricing

Company

2006 Media Guide - Community

Delete template?

Save as template?

Don't wait! Try Yumpu. Start using Yumpu now!

products

Features

Resources

Developer

Company

Pro Features

Help & Support

Integrations

Plans & Pricing

Company

Don't wait! Try Yumpu.
Start using Yumpu now!