Wentworth Institute of Technology: Athletics > Varsity Sports

Season In Review

In 2005 the Wentworth women’s volleyball team had its best season to-date, finishing with a 14-14 record and nearly upsetting third-seeded Roger Williams in the Commonwealth Coast Conference Tournament. With the wheels set in motion to take a step forward within the CCC, the Leopards knew they would have to replace the offense provided by the program’s all-time leader in kills, as Caroline Drosdick graduated. What the Leopards did not realize, however, was that they would be without a home court for the entire season, as renovations to Tansey Gymnasium lasted well beyond the women’s volleyball season had ended.

With practices being held at different locations, Wentworth began the season by splitting its first two matches—losing to Worcester State and defeating Emerson. However, the Leopards would drop their next seven matches, which included losing a 3-2 match and three close, 3-1 matches and were 1-8 after nine matches.

A 3-1 win over Regis snapped the losing streak and gave the Leopards their first league win. After dropping matches to Gordon and Colby-Sawyer, Wentworth posted back-to-back, 3-0 wins over Anna Maria and Suffolk, and looked like they were poised to make a late-season run. However, in their next match, the Leopards suffered their first-ever loss to Salve Regina, falling 3-2, which started a three-match losing streak and saw Wentworth stand at 4-13 overall and 2-6 in league play.

Back-to-back, 3-0 wins over Simmons and Mass. Maritime gave the Leopards a 6-13 record, but the regular season ended with losses at Mount Ida and Eastern Nazarene. With a 2-7 league record, Wentworth was seeded eighth and had to face top-seeded Endicott in the opening round of the CCC Tournament. The Gulls, who would eventually win the CCC title, ended the Leopards’ season at 6-16 with a 3-0 win.

Freshman Danielle Banks (Ellicott City, Md.) had an impressive rookie campaign, as she became the first Wentworth women’s volleyball player to earn a major award from the CCC, taking home rookie of the year honors. In 77 games, she amassed 264 kills, 45 aces, 176 digs, and accounted for 324 points.

Junior Nikki Pisani (Stoneham, Mass.) played in 80 of the team’s 81 games, recording 159 kills, 24 aces, and 46 blocks, while senior Liz Neales (Swansea, Mass.) played in all 81 games, recording 147 kills, 45 aces, and 222 digs. Neales leaves the Leopards as the all-time leader with 262 service aces.

Senior Tiffany Rodrigues (Bristol, R.I.), who set a school record with 347 digs as a junior, notched 331 digs in her final season and her 727 career digs ranks her third all-time.

Junior Jacquie Bronhard (Fall River, Mass.) recorded 93 kills, 448 assists, and 131 digs. Classmate Victoria Walton (Weymouth, Mass.), who missed the 2005 campaign after suffering injuries in a car accident, also had 93 kills.

Looking Ahead

The Leopards will have to deal with the loss of two of their top players to graduation. However, returning the CCC Rookie of the Year and other key players should help Wentworth rebuild and be a very competitive team within the CCC.

Schedule

The Leopards play a 25-match schedule that includes eight CCC matches against such schools as Endicott, Roger Williams, Colby-Sawyer, and Gordon. The non-league schedule consists of matches against Lasell, UMass Boston, Emmanuel, Framingham State, WPI, and Mass. Maritime.

History

The women's volleyball team has been a varsity team since the late 1980's, and enjoyed its finest season in 2002, posting 13 wins before the 2005 squad became the first .500 or better (14-14) women's volleyball team. The first season of a full CCC schedule was the 1999 season.

Meet the Coaching Staff

Former Leopard men's volleyball standout Jason Jeffers (Wentworth '97) enters his ninth season as the head women's volleyball coach at Wentworth. Jeffers played four seasons on the men's squad and was the team's most valuable player during the 1997 campaign. He is assisted by Kevin Carreiro '03 and Lani Kuzia '03.