Last fall was no different.

In total, Jamestown CC compiled an impressive overall record of 22-11 and made it to Sunday at the regional tournament before falling in a tightly contested battle to Genesee CC.

Article Photos

The Jamestown Community College women's volleyball team opens its season Saturday at the Monroe CC Invitational. In the front row, from the left, are Mallory Stearns, Kaitlyn Hoth, Madison Alexander, Destiney Portlow and Elizabeth Swoger. In the back row are SallyAnne Rudny, Miranda Gross, Erin Butman and Ashley Butman.
Submitted photo

"I was really happy with how everything happened last year," Lund explained. "(The girls) worked really hard from the start of the season to the end. I think after we got through the first part of the season, (which) is always a little rough with the adjustment from high school to college, once we got into it just kind of flowed and they knew the tempo that they wanted to set for themselves and they achieved that.

"They just kept going and we did great at regionals," she added. "We made it to Sunday and then we struggled with one of the two teams that we really struggled with all season."

Heading into the 2016 campaign, the Jayhawks have a trio of talented sophomores returning to anchor the lineup. They are Madison Alexander (Jamestown/Southwestern Central School), Destiney Portlow (Olean/Olean High School) and Ashley Butman (Jamestown/Jamestown High School).

Alexander was recognized as a third-team all-region selection in 2015, while Portlow and Butman both played key roles in Jamestown CC's success on the hardwood.

"The sophomores are huge," Lund emphasized. "I've only got three returning...and already they've stepped up to the task. My middle, Destiney Portlow, she's just been more vocal, she's been determined this year and you can just see it in her eyes that she really wants it. Maddy Alexander has come back and willingly taken on roles for people who are injured. She's stepped up and said, 'Yeah, I'm going to do this. If that's going to help the team, then I'm going to do it.' Ashley Butman has been huge. We've kind of jumped her around to all different positions and she has kind of flowed with it as well. She's trying her best at every position I throw her in and doing what she can. I'm just grateful for the way they have transitioned into this year and the leadership that they are portraying on the court."

Among the freshmen, one of the first names Lund mentioned was SallyAnne Rudny (Jamestown/Southwestern Central School).

Rudny was a huge reason why the Southwestern Trojans claimed a Section VI Class C2 title last season and will look to carry that momentum into the start of her college career.

"She's so versatile and is going to bring so much," Lund stressed. "She's stepped up huge (when it comes to) leadership roles. If someone is struggling with getting sprints or stairs done, she's up there going through the next round with them. On the court, she's loud and vocal and sets the tone. She's a big motivator. She's been really, really big for us (already)."

Another Jayhawk to keep an eye on is Miranda Gross (Little Valley/Randolph Central School), who enjoyed an exceptional high school career as a Lady Cardinal.

"She has a big adjustment (to make)," Lund said. "We run such a faster tempo than Randolph did. She really wants to learn. It's been quite a curve for her, but it's not stopping her. She's determined to get it right and do what she has to do."

Sophomore Kaitlyn Hoth (Cherry Creek/Pine Valley Central School); freshman Mallory Stearns (South Dayton/Pine Valley Central School); freshman Erin Butman (Jamestown/Jamestown High School); and freshman Elizabeth Swoger, who played her high school volleyball at Chautauqua Lake Central School, will round out the roster for the Jayhawks.

As is the case every year, Lund's expectations for her squad are certainly high heading into the fall.

"I try to portray that from the beginning that I expect nothing but greatness from every team I have come in," Lund said, ''because I think that every team I have come in can excel. ... This team (is) no different. The players that I have ... they are versatile. They can play different spots. We have so many different options. ... My expectations are nothing less than what they usually are, to make it to regionals (and) to make it to Sunday of regionals. I don't doubt that this team can do it once we get everybody healthy and have the subs doing their roles as they've been set to and the starters doing their roles. I mean, I think this could be a really great season."

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