Sharks want to peak at right time
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

After qualifying for the New York State Catholic High School Athletic Association Championships last year, Sacred Heart girls volleyball coach Chris Jenk thinks the potential is there for another trip this fall.

"It all depends at what time we're peaking," said Jenk. "If you're peaking at the time of playoffs, anyone can beat anyone in the (Monsignor Martin Association)."

"Everything has to click," he added. "If we're at where I want them to be, we're going to be giving some teams a run for their money."

Jenk lost some good players from last year's team, including setter Kelly Domzalski and middle hitter Genna Van Domelen, both MMA All-Catholic selections, but he's pleased with the group returning.

Junior Kate Schultz replaces Domzalski at setter. The 5-foot-8 Schultz was Domzalski's understudy last year.

"She has a knack for setting," said Jenk. "She has great hands."

Jenk is hoping 6-foot senior Chelsea Dziekan can fill the shoes of Van Domelen in the middle. Senior Monique Mattes and junior Robin Stanley will try to replace the loss of the team's other middle hitter who graduated, Gina Ricotta.

Also returning are junior setter Paige Stanley, junior libero Alex Femia, senior right side Jessica Tamulski and 5-foot-9 outside hitters, seniors Kelly Nowak and Courtney Conway. Kelly might also play at right side hitter. Nowak and Conway have been on varsity since they were sophomores.

Stanley, juniors Rachel Litwin (defensive specialist), Kate Mekelburg (defensive specialist/ setter), and Heidi Widmer (outside), and sophomore Michelle Nowacki (outside/defensive specialist) move up from JV.

Jenk is hoping team strengths are defense and passing.

Jenk said the team to beat in the MMA is St. Mary's of Lancaster (beat the Sharks in both regular season meetings last year), and Nardin (split games with).

The Sharks open on Saturday competing in the St. Mary's of Lancaster tournament. It's one of four tournaments Sacred Heart has entered.
Sacred Heart 2007 Schedule
9-8 at St. Mary's of Lancaster
tourn. .................................. 8 a.m.
9-11 Mt. Mercy .................. 6 p.m.
9-12 at Ken. West.............. 6 p.m.

9-15 at Frontier tourn...... 8 a.m.
9-17 at Mt. St. Mary's....... 6 p.m.
9-19 St. Mary's of Lancaster 6 p.m.
9-21 at Nardin ................... 6 p.m.
9-22 at Sweet Home tourn....... 8
a.m.
9-25 Holy Angels............... 6 p.m.
10-1 at Niagara Catholic.. 6 p.m.
10-3 at O'Hara ................... 6 p.m.
10-9 at St. Mary's of Lancaster 6 p.m.
10-11 at Nichols................ 6 p.m.
10-12 Nardin ...................... 6 p.m.
10-13 at North Tonawanda tourn.
8 a.m.
10-15 Mt. St. Mary's.......... 6 p.m.
10-17 at Mt. Mercy ........... 6 p.m.
10-18 at Frontier...... (JV 5 p.m.)
JV matches start at 4:30 p.m.,
varsity starts 20 minutes after JV
matches
e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com