KUTZTOWN, PA. (September 4, 2009) – Moving back to her natural position of libero, Jamie Celia (Douglassville, PA/Daniel Boone) (Douglasville/Daniel Boone) insisted she was nervous. Although, Celia's teammates couldn't tell if she was nervous or not, veteran Kutztown University volleyball coach John Gump knew right away.
“I could tell she was nervous, when she showed up to the gym without her white (libero) uniform,” said Gump with a laugh following the Golden Bears' 3-0 season-opening triumph over Chowan on the first day of the Kutztown Classic. “It's been a while since she's been in the back (row) and I am sure she will become more comfortable as the season goes along.”
The nerves immediately disappeared once the game began. Celia hustled and bustled her way to a game-high 19 digs. Celia, who also recorded her 100th career service ace during the match, was the main cog during Kutztown's opening match. Resembling, a high-speed turbo engine, the energetic Celia threw herself all over the brown hardwood court to dig up loose balls and send them to the front where freshmen Dana Wright (Warminster, PA/Saint Basil Academy) (Warminister/St. Basil Academy) and Kimberlee Gomber (Washington, PA/Washington) (Washington/Washington) were able to effectively serve up wonderful balls for the Golden Bears' heavy hitters.
Wright and Gomber combined for an astounding 36 assists in their first collegiate match. Many of their assists went to senior Katie Miller (Elizabethtown, PA/Elizabethtown) (Elizabethtown/Elizabethtown) and junior Kelsey Nester (Catasauqua, PA/Catasauqua) (Catasauqua/Catasauqua). They collaborated for 23 kills. Miller finished with a team-high 12 kills and Nester recorded 11 kills.
Kutztown (1-0 overall) won the match over Chowan (4-2) by close scores of 25-20, 25-22 and 26-24. Trailing 24-22, in the third game, the Golden Bears finished with a flourish by scoring the final four points. With the victory, Kutztown earned career program victory No. 499. The Golden Bears will have two chances Saturday afternoon to reach 500 career program victories when they battle Elizabeth City State University at 2:30 p.m. and Philadelphia University at 7:00 p.m.
“We were so used to playing each other in practice that we were happy to finally play against another school,” Celia said. “I think we handled it well as a team today. I was so nervous out there today and I know I still have a lot to learn. I did OK, but I know there is plenty of room for improvement.”
Celia excelled as a setter last season, finishing seventh in aces per game (0.41) and ninth in assists per game (7.10) in the PSAC.
Coming off a tough 15-16 campaign in 2008, Kutztown is looking to return to the top of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) standings. If the opener is any indication, then the Golden Bears should be fighting for a playoff spot. With Celia in the back leading the defense and flying around the court with more fury than an Indy race car, the Golden Bears are definitely in great hands.
“I thought Jamie played awesome today,” Miller said. “I thought we all played well with each other today and our freshmen (Dana and Kimberlee) are taking on a big role for us. I think Jamie is going to have a big impact on our team and be a huge contributor.”
The Golden Bears had plenty of contributors against Chowan. While Miller and Nester finished with double digit kills, Cali Snell (York, PA/York Suburban) (York/York Suburban) added nine kills and Lindsey Confer (Wingate/Bald Eagle Area) collected six kills. Many of the kills were courtesy of sensational setups from Gomber and Wright, who looked like seasoned veterans in their first match. Snell and Katie Lutz (Greencastle, PA/Greencastle Antrim) (Greencastle/Greencastle Antrim) finished with three blocks each to lead the Golden Bears.
During the first game, Wright's serving got the Golden Bears moving. With the score tied, 10-10, KU scored four straight points highlighted by a pair of Miller kills and a Nester spike. Although Chowan was briefly shaken by the quick burst, the Hawks closed to within, 20-19, with the serve. Lutz came through with a big kill to give KU the breathing room it needed to close out the first game.
Although Kutztown never trailed in the second game, its largest advantage was just four points. The pesky Hawks closed to within, 22-21, before the Golden Bears scored three of the final four points to open a two-game edge. In the third match, KU sprinted to a 19-14 lead before the Hawks rallied to grab a 24-22 advantage. With the Hawks serving and on the verge of sending the match to a fourth game, Miller and Brittini Speck (Hesston, PA/Huntingdon) took control with consecutive kills to tie the score.
Nester slammed home an ace and Confer finished KU's opening triumph with a kill.
Pacing Chowan, members of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, was Victoria Lewis (12 kills) and Desaray Turner (10 kills). Callie Armistead had a game-high 29 assists for the Hawks.
“There were a lot of positives, we can take from this opener, which is a good sign,” Gump said. “You're never quite sure how the ladies are going to act when the game is real. I thought overall we made some good decisions and played well as a team.”
