2008 Season Preview
Last season, the Cornerstone University Golden Eagles won five tournaments, including both tournaments held at CU; had win streaks of 11, 14 and 11; finished second in the WHAC Conference, runner-up at the WHAC Conference Tournament and lost in the quarterfinals at the NAIA Region VIII Tournament (two matches away from qualifying for the NAIA National Tournament); and ended up with a 38-6 record for the season. All in all, it was a great season that laid a good foundation for another excellent season this year!
With six returning players from a team that won 38 matches in 2007, this year’s team is one with lots of experience and depth. Two WHAC All-Conference players return in co-captain Marcie Blacquiere, a junior setter and Holly Cousins, a junior outside hitter. Other returning starters from 2007 are team co-captain: Kayla Wilson, libero, and Alicia TerHaar, middle blocker (WHAC All Freshmen Team).
There are four new players that will add additional depth to an already talented squad: Jodi Grandholm, from River Valley High School, Mich., Aubrey Way, setter from Charlevoix High School, Mich; Heidi Skjold, setter from Ninilchik High School, Alaska; and Anna Cooke from Milford Township High School, Ill.
This year’s schedule proves challenging and includes seven different tournaments including the “Early Bird Invitational” at UM Dearborn. Once again, CU will be hosting the Cornerstone Classic Invitational over Labor Day weekend, which will include ten teams and the Golden Eagle Invitational which will feature eight teams. The Golden Eagles will also participate in a tournament in Chicago (St. Xavier/Illinois Tech) as well as Clark College Iowa, St. Francis Ind., and Calumet College in St. Joseph. All of these tournaments will help the team prepare for the WHAC conference matches and post-season play. The Golden Eagles will need to get past conference powerhouse Madonna who has won or shared the conference championship with Cornerstone the past ten years in a row.
This year’s squad has no seniors—they are led by team co-captain Marcie Blacquiere who has already established herself in the CU record books with the two best season assist records ever. One of her favorite targets will be Holly Cousins who has also put her mark on the record books with two of the “Top Ten” records for kills in a season. Team co-captain, Kayla Wilson will provide steady passing and excellent digging from the libero position and returning middle blocker Alicia TerHaar will patrol the net after leading the team in blocks as a freshmen.
“This team has a lot of experienced veteran players as well as some very talented players that are new to the team. As a staff we are excited not only about our ability to play at a high level—we are looking forward to working with a solid group of women that love the LORD and have a desire to serve Him on and off the court—it doesn’t get any better than that,” states Coach Burmaster.
