Kirch goes it alone

There isn't enough time in practice for Jefferson Community College volleyball coach EO Mathison to answer every question from his first-year players.

But they can always ask AnnaJane Kirch. She's been here before.

Kirch, a middle hitter, is the only returning Cannoneer from a 2009 squad that finished 17-15 and made an appearance in the Region 3 playoffs.

While high turnover is a regular characteristic of junior college sports, Mathison said this is the biggest defection from the team he's witnessed during his JCC tenure. The Cannoneers featured six rookies a year ago, yet Kirch will be the only one from that group to take the court in this Saturday's opener at Tompkins-Cortland CC.

"It's been a little intimidating because I felt like I was by myself a little bit," Kirch, a 2009 Lowville graduate, said Monday. "The other girls have had a lot of questions. Some things I don't even know the answers to. Like where their classes are."

While Mathison doesn't expect Kirch to escort her teammates around campus, she will have to be a main communicator of the team's philosophies, while also helping their adjustments to the speed of the college game.

"I just have to always try my best and try to set a good example," she said. "And help show them what the JCC team should be."

Keeping a positive attitude, calling plays, and motivating teammates are all Kirch's responsibility this fall. But her most important attributes are recording kills and blocking hits at the net, as JCC will aim to at least repeat its second place 2009 showing in the Mid-State Athletic Conference.

"She's been a leader since freshman year," Mathison said. "They're all looking to her because she's the only one who can answer some things. I'm looking forward to her getting a lot of kills and a lot of blocks."

Kirch said she never considered stepping away from the court, even though so many of her peers did. She figured she'd miss those old teammates, but didn't want to throw away the chance to play another season.

"Nobody was going to keep me from coming back," she said. "I don't need friends here to play. It's nice, but I've made new friends."

The Cannoneers won three of their last five matches to qualify for regionals last season. The biggest key to attaining similar success will likely be the team's health and fitness.

With only eight names on the roster, Mathison is facing one of the biggest challenges of his coaching career.

"These are probably the lowest numbers we've had," he said. "That will be a factor for us. We don't know which direction everything is going to go until we get them on the court."

Roster:AnnaJane Kirch (So., MH), Kaelee McCormick (Fr., MH), Maria Sboro (Fr., OH), Marie Rohde (Fr., OH), Danielle Brown (Fr., L/S), Mallory Flynn (Fr., S), Tiffany Hickman (Fr., S), Suzanna Blemings (Fr., MH).

Men's soccer

Outlook:The Cannoneers finished the 2009 season just below .500, but it was a success because they earned their first Region 3 playoff berth in eight seasons. ... Freshman striker Ben Freeman (3 G, 1 A) is the top returning scorer. ... One of the team's strengths should be its defense, which will be anchored by goalie Brandon Davis (9.4 saves/game), who was ranked among the top 25 NJCAA, Division III goalkeepers. Luke Norman and Josh Zehr return for another season in the back, too.

2009 record:6-7-2.

Coach:Chris Pacilio (5th year).

Roster:Matthew Weaver (Fr., D/M), Justin Warner (Fr., M), William Smith (Fr., M), Connor Taylor (Fr., D), David Hovendon (Fr., M), Scott Kellner (Fr., F/M), Logan Crawford (Fr., D), Daniel Mills (So., M/F), Ben Freeman (So., M/F), Josh Zehr (So., D), Shea Denny (Fr., F), Joshua Lothrop (So., D/M), Spencer Parsons (Fr., M/F), Luke Norman (So., D), Matthew Damon (So., M), David Spaulding (Fr., D), Chris Besaw (Fr., F), Michael Bombard (Fr., D), Brandon Davis (So., GK).

Women's soccer

Outlook:David Bowhall has built a consistently competitive program, made up mostly of local talent, and that trend should continue this season. ... Alicia Uhlein (8 G, 3 A) and Teddi Filiatrault (7 G) will lead the attack as Jefferson attempts to reach the Region 3 tournament again. It won a regional title in 2008. ... The Cannoneers are young on the defensive end, however, as Sarah Ward (2 G, 3 A) is the only defender with college experience. Four other freshman backs will try to fill the hole created by the 2009 NJCAA All-American Elysa Doldo's graduation.

2009 record:12-5-1.

Coach:David Bowhall (5th year).

Roster:Brittany Campbell (Fr., M), Samantha Dano (Fr., D), Jessica Dobson-Tufo (Fr., D), Ashley England (Fr., F), Teddi Filiatrault (So., M), Zana Gervaise (Fr., GK), Brianna Guarino (So., F), Olivia Haynes (Fr., D), Rhaia Hull (Fr., D), Brittany Sharlow (Fr., M), Amanda Spooner (Fr., M), Alicia Uhlein (So., F), Sarah Ward (So., D), Julia Csizmar (Fr., F), Taylor Fargo (Fr., F).