|
|
Practice Guests
With East Central practices starting before many of last year's players report to their new schools, some of them have been working out with the Lady Falcons.
Erica LaBoube (Hermann) and Megan Santhuff (Southern Reynolds County) have been preparing for their move to Central Methodist University in Fayette by working with the current players. LaBoube, an All-American second-team middle hitter last year, worked several camps with the East Central College staff during the summer.
Kari Blankenship (Owensville), an Academic All-American, is preparing for her move to Maryville University in St. Louis by working with the team.
Another camp player is Jamie Baumstark, a 2003 Hermann High School graduate who played her college ball at Southeast Missouri State University. Baumstark will be going to Switzerland to play professionally with VBC Biel-Bienne this fall. She last played collegiately in the 2006 season, so she is getting back to speed with the Lady Falcons.
On the Board
Head Coach Brad Bruns and Assistant Coach Ben O'Day have been elected to the USA Volleyball Gateway Region board of directors. Bruns and O'Day were elected to three-year terms, starting with Friday's board meeting. Also elected to the board were Corey Arbini (three years) and Beth Bedard (two years).
O'Day is a second generation board member. His father, Ken O'Day, is the junior representative on the advisory board.
Truman State
The first preseason event for the Lady Falcons takes place Saturday, Aug. 15, at Truman State University in Kirksville.
East Central will play Truman State No. 1 at 9:30 a.m. and Missouri Science and Technology No. 1 at 10:30 a.m.
Pools will be changed in the afternoon with matches at 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. Truman State and Missouri S&T each have two squads at the event. Quincy University also will have a team at the jamboree.
Meramec Jamboree
The Lady Falcons will be closer to home Saturday, Aug. 22. East Central will go to Kirkwood for the St. Louis Community College-Meramec preseason jamboree.
The Lady Falcons will face a Lindenwood JV team at 11 a.m., St. Louis College of Pharmacy at 12:15 p.m. and Harris-Stowe State University at 1:30 p.m.
Johnson County
The first official action for the Lady Falcons is the Johnson County (Kan.) Community College Kickoff Tournament Aug. 28-29.
The Lady Falcons join host Johnson County, Cowley County Community College, Parkland College and Longview Community College for the event.
Four of the five schools were at the NJCAA Division II Championships last November in Wisconsin Dells, Wis.
Johnson County finished second to Kishwaukee College. The Lady Cavaliers return seven players from last year's 30-4 team.
Cowley County of Kansas placed ninth last year. The Lady Tigers return two players from last year's team.
Parkland placed third at last year's national tournament. The Lady Cobras had six freshmen on last year's team.
Longview, a perennial national tournament qualifier, was second in Region 16 last season, losing to East Central.
East Central tied for 13th in last year's national tournament and has two players back from that team.
Competition begins Friday, Aug. 28. The Lady Falcons renew their rivalry with Longview at 5 p.m. East Central faces Parkland, the same squad it opened National Tournament play against last year, at 7 p.m.
On Saturday, Aug. 29, the Lady Falcons get a noon start with Johnson County. The Lady Falcons face Cowley County in the last match of the day at 2 p.m.
