Slippery Rock Rockets
Coach (season): Greg Dugan (23rd season)
2011 overall record: 16-2
2011 region record (place): 14-0 (champion)
2011 playoff results: Qualified for the District 10 Class AA playoffs and went 2-1 in pool play. Slippery Rock then lost to Fort LeBoeuf 25-21, 28-26 in the District 10 Class AA semifinals.
Top players lost: Marie Takach, Stormie Hockenberry
Top returning players: Megan Little, Laura Hilliard, Taylor Stamm, Carly Shearer, Heather Urbanism, Jordan McCauley
Assistant coach: Breehan Kehoe
Outlook: Slippery Rock dominated its region and advanced through District 10 pool play before running into eventual D-10 Class AA champion Fort LeBoeuf in the semifinals. The Rockets have an experienced team back this fall with the exception of Marie Takach and Stormie Hockenberry. Takach was voted to the all-region first team as a setter and Hockenberry to the first team at outside hitter. The two players lost leave big holes for longtime coach Greg Dugan to fill. Slippery Rock returns Megan Little, Laura Hilliard, Taylor Stamm, Carly Shearer, Heather Urbanism and Jordan McCauley this season. Little was an all-district pick at libero and voted to the first team. Hilliard was voted to the second team at middle hitter. Shearer and Urbanism are back at hitter, while Stamm is a setter and McCauley is an opposite setter. The Rockets have a tough region to deal with, once again, but they look a strong favorite to repeat as region champions. Slippery Rock has some new players to fill in this year but will need to continue building chemistry as the season goes on to compete with the likes of Fort LeBoeuf and Conneaut.
Schedule
September
4 at Greenville* 7:30
8 at Shaler 7:30
11 at Hickory* 7:30
13 Greenville* 7:30
18 at Wilmington* 7:30
20 Sharon* 7:30
27 Grove City* 7:30
October
2 Mercer* 7:30
4 Hickory* 7:30
11 Wilmington* 7:30
16 at Sharon* 7:30
23 at Grove City* 7:30
25 at Mercer* 7:30
*Region 3 matches
Later today: Strong Vincent
– Tom Reisenweber
