Lady Jackets Picked Second in HCAC Coaches’ Poll

--Defiance, Ohio— The Defiance College 2004 Volleyball squad have been picked to finish second in the HCAC behind only nationally-ranked Mt. St. Joseph in the conference’s pre-season coaches’ poll.

The Jackets placed second in the regular season last year, dropping only one conference match to the Mount. With an undefeated home record, DC posted a school-best 26-5 record in ’03.

The rankings cause mixed emotions for head coach David Kwan, last year’s HCAC ‘Coach of the Year’. “I think these rankings are based mainly upon what happened last year. It is probably accurate, but we are still motivated to surprise people this season as our goal is not to finish second,” said Kwan.

Leading the way for this year’s edition of DC Volleyball will be seniors Mandy Owens (Middle Point, Ohio) and Nikki Retcher (Ayersville, Ohio), and juniors Jill Evans (Archbold, Ohio) and Julie Steineman (New Bremen, Ohio).

The first task for the Jackets will be replacing record-setting graduates Erin Murphy and Lynsey Somers. Kwan, however, will not accept a dip in performance. “My expectations do not change just because we lost two great seniors,” said the second-year coach.

Defiance opens their season at the Mt. Union Tournament in Alliance, Ohio on September 3rd.