Villa Duchesne, Poised to Make a Run at the State Volleyball Title Again

The Villa Duchesne Saints won last year’s Missouri State volleyball championships in Cape Girardeau. All indications are that the team will be major contenders again this season.

Though a core of key players graduated, Shane Weber, in his 5th year (10 years coaching overall) features six key returners to establish the Saints as strong contenders in 2012.

For one, all the starters took part in the annual volleyball camp at Missouri State in July and went 36-3, capturing the title there. “That doesn’t mean a thing,” said Weber, but the indicators are strong.

So too is his skilled front line. Seasoned veterans like Maggie Schroeder, Sydney Sabino, Emily Kellerhals, and Marisa Drevenak give the Saints depth at every key position.

Faith Rolwes, who scored 111 points will be the starting setter for DePauw University, Indiana. She turned away a number of Division I offers to concentrate on studies while playing Division III volleyball.

Megan Peterson, another mainstay is off to become an engineer at Colorado School of the Mines.

Emma Lombardo, last year’s Libero is off to college along with Celeste D’Orazio and Bridget Boyle who is going to the University of Texas, but not playing the sport.

Strength of schedule means a lot. Weber upped the ante by adding perennial powerhouse St. Francis Borgia of Washington to the schedule.

The Saints will play in the 16 team field at the Nike Cross Roads Classic in Effingham, IL September 7-8. “That will be a great test. Edwardsville, a powerhouse will be there and so too will be Moline, IL and St. Francis of Wheaton, IL., a repeating state champion,” said Weber.

The Saints will also play in the Oakville tournament and the Truman Tournament in Kansas City in late October.

“Obviously, we are expecting a great year. Last year, all the pieces just fell into place,” said Weber. “Most of our players gained invaluable experience by being involved in post-season play. Even the players who were on the bench experienced what it meant to go to a state tournament,” he said.

“This is the most devoted I’ve seen our kids be in my five years here. No one missed any practices, little kids camp, trip to Springfield, nothing,”he said.

Here is a look at the Villa Duchesne Volleyball Schedule this fall:

Day/Date/Time/Opponent

Thursday, August 30, 6:30 p.m. vs MICDS
Friday, August 31, 6 p.m. vs Oakville
Wednesday, Sept. 12, 5 p.m. at Whitfield
Tuesday, Sept. 18, 5:15 p.m. vs Marquette
Thursday,Sept. 20, 5 p.m. at John Burroughs
Monday, Sept. 24, 5:15 p.m., vs Lutheran North
Tuesday, Sept.25, 5:15 p.m., at Visitation Academy
Monday, October 1, 6:15 p.m. vs Lafayette
Tuesday, October 2, 6:30 p.m. at Principia
Thursday, October 4, 5 p.m. vs Lutheran South
Saturday, October 6, TBD, vs Omaha Duchesne
Saturday, October 6, 1 p.m. vs Incarnate Word Academy
Thursday, October 11, 5:30 p.m. at Westminster Christian Academy
Tuesday, October 16, 6:15 p.m. at Cor Jesu Academy