NU volleyball successful in home opener

The Norwich volleyball team had its first home opener against Johnson State Badgers. The Cadets blew past the Badgers, defeating them in all three sets, 3-0.

The Badgers' defense could not stop the Cadets outside hitters, Ivana Batar, a senior from Zardar, Croatia, and April Byallaardt, a junior from Stormville, N.Y.

"It was a very easy win," said Batar.

The team had some newcomers step up in the first game, and they were "key to a huge win," said Batar.

Gabrielle Miller is a junior transfer from New Mexico Military Institute and she is the primary setter. Kassandra Jermyn Fr. Bancroft (Auburn, Mass), is an outside setter.

According to the Head Coach Amanda Cuffio, Alex Palmer, a freshman from South Windsor, Conn., is a player "who can play all-around offense and defense." Palmer led Norwich in attack with 23 kills, which are the number of hits to the ground.

She is a "very strong hitter," said Maryrose Meany, 21, a nursing major from Goshen, N.Y. "Her hitting ability is very helpful to our team offense."

After going 7-5 in the conference last year, the Lady Cadets are looking to come out on top in this year's 2011 season.

The off season for the team consisted of long- and short-distance running, hitting drills and testing of strength abilities.

According to Brittany Palmer, 23, senior psychology and education major from York, Pa., after the first opener game, "We are happy with the win but we know we will face much harder teams in the conference, and we need to step our game up."

If players can correct small mistakes, the volleyball team's chance of winning GNAC will be greater.

Players have high expectations and goals as they move forward in the season. "Winning the GNAC is the ultimate goal," said Cuffio.

"Being more consistent and having more energy on the court," said Kassandra Jermyn, 18, a freshman sports medicine and athletic training major from Auburn, Mass., and "being more vocal," will also help the team out.

At Parent's Weekend, the Cadets beat Lasell College 3-0.