Volleyball seniors finishing great careers

By Mike Petty
Collegian Staff
November 1, 2006

The 2006 La Salle volleyball season hasn’t been one of great success, but it certainly hasn’t lacked accomplishments by the team’s established seniors.

Over the past two weeks, both of the Explorer senior captains joined very prestigious company because of their on-court play. On Oct. 18, setter Caitlin Conner set her 3,000 kill to join an elite assist club that will leave her second all-time on the La Salle charts.

Joining her friend and teammate, libero Carolyn Judge registered her 2,000 dig Oct. 25 against Temple, further extending her lead on the all-time school record. Over the past four years in blue and gold, Judge and Conner have led and been vital players for the La Salle volleyball team.

Conner’s 46 assists in the team’s 3-1 victory over Fairleigh Dickinson put her over the 3,000-assist plateau, but that is just the beginning of her accomplishments. Her style of play and work ethic are the main reason for her success, especially in her relationships with her outside hitters.

Junior Brittany Hanley knows all about that.

“Caitlin’s easy to get along with and is very accommodating to each hitter’s swing,” Hanley said. “She’s willing to put in the time to create good chemistry with each hitter.”

Conner has played in 425 career games for the Explorers, which is good for eighth all-time, and she has a chance to finish as high as third all-time. She also sits eighth all-time in career digs, a category that is led by Judge.

“Caitlin touches the ball almost every play in every game in every match. That is a huge responsibility, and she carries herself very well with all that pressure,” junior Erin Sullivan said.

On 26 occasions, Conner registered 10 or more digs in a match, and she recorded 50 or more assists in a match nine times. While the stats tell the story, her contribution on the court to the team mentality has been just as valuable.

“Caitlin never lets anything bother her, and something as simple as a silly handshake that we do every time we’re on the court together really helps you feel like teammates,” junior Stephanie Owen said.

On the other end of the captain spectrum, Carolyn Judge adds to her Explorer records in every match that she plays. She took over the position of the team’s all-time leader in digs, and she did not only play the position incredibly well but destroyed her predecessor’s record.

Last season, she was a second-team A-10 selection and is well on her way to that elite status again this year. At one point, she was ranked first in the nation in digs per game.

“Carolyn is an amazing player and a great leader, and she’ll argue to the death that any ball on the court is hers,” Owen said. “She’s everywhere, covering everything, and it makes you have a lot more confidence in your defense and offense when you know that you always have someone behind you like Carolyn,” Sullivan said.

Judge’s presence has never left the court since the first day she donned the Explorer uniform. She has never missed a game in her entire La Salle career, and that has left her currently third all-time. She is basically guaranteed to become the school’s all-time leader in games played. This further adds to her great reputation.

“Carolyn’s the safety net of our team; she’s very dependable as our libero and will be sorely missed,” Hanley said.

Two of the finest players to wear the Explorer spandex will finish their careers later this month on the road against George Washington and Charlotte. While it will be an end to two successful careers, there are still four matches to be played and time for the players to reflect on their teammates’ contributions.

“I love playing with them; they are both encouraging. I’ve worked well with them both on and off the court, and I’ll miss them,” sophomore Jackie Kushman said.

“I’ve loved playing with both of them, and they are both great team leaders,” sophomore Amy McKeon said.

On Nov. 12 in Charlotte, N.C., two of the best La Salle volleyball players ever will finish their careers, but they will leave a long, lasting effect on the Explorer volleyball program.

pettym1@lasalle.edu