BEVERLY, Mass.- Coming off two straight seasons that ended with post season appearances in the ECAC tournament, the Endicott women's volleyball team has its sights set on claiming the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) title in 2015, something the team hasn't done since 2008. With a challenging schedule ahead in the 2015 season, the team has elected Erika Trudon (Coventry, Conn.), Alleigh VandeMerkt (Riverside, Ill.) and Lexi Watts (San Diego, Calif.) as captains to lead them.
For VandeMerkt, it is her second straight season being named captain. The setter, who currently ranks second all-time for the Gulls with 3,348 assists, becomes just the eighth player in Endicott women's volleyball history to be elected captain for multiple seasons. "It is an honor to be selected as captain by my teammates and it means that they respect me and trust me to be a good leader next season. I'm excited to work with Erika and Lexi as tri-captains," she said. Scheduled to graduate a year early this May and begin her MBA in the fall, the Business Administration major knows that to be successful on the court, you need to take care of business off the court first. "I think I lead by examples off the court by working hard in the weight room and on my school work. I try to hold myself and my teammates to high standards in both of these aspects."
Watts, a rising senior opposite who is majoring in Business with a focus in Administration as well as a minor in Hospitality Management, echoed VandeMerkt's sentiments about being named captain and plans to learn from past captains as she leads this current roster. "I have learned so much from past captains, but most of all, I have learned that you do not need a title to lead your team to do great things," stated Watts. "Leading by example is the key because actions speak louder than words. Everyone has a leadership role on this team and this is the season for everyone to step it up."
Joining Watts and VandeMerkt is libero Erika Trudon, the youngest of the three as a junior. The nursing major who already ranks in the top 10 all-time at Endicott in digs after just two seasons, brings a variety of strong qualities to the group and focused on her work ethic and communication as two of her strongest. "I think that my best qualities as a captain are that I am hard working not only on the court but outside of practice and I am a vocal player," Trudon said. "Previous captains have taught me that in order to be successful you have to be encouraging towards your teammates and not critical of them."
Head coach Tim Byram, who will be entering his 16th season in 2015, spoke highly of all three individuals. "I am excited about the 2015 season in general and the level that these three captains should be able to help lead us to," said Byram. "They have all proven themselves as committed student-athletes and teammates in the classroom, weight room and on the court."
When asked about VandeMerkt, Byram stated, "Alleigh was a junior captain last year and learned a lot of valuable lessons during that time that will help her and the team this year. She has dedicated a great amount of time and energy to organizing captain's activities this spring and setting a high bar for her teammates. Always a tireless worker, she will be pursuing her MBA in the fall and will graduate with both degrees in just four years."
"Lexi has been very involved in most aspects of the program and in her time here, has earned the respect of her teammates," said Byram when asked about Watts. "Her team-first attitude, team building ideas and ability to relate to everyone will be heavily relied upon this season. Both her and Alleigh are motivated to make sure that we can achieve all we can prior to their graduation."
For Trudon, the lone junior of the group, Byram was quick to note her relentless performance. "Erika's work ethic and motivation to compete and improve every time she steps on the court are second to none. All of her teammates respect that about her and it drives everyone to succeed," the coach stated.
The 2015 season officially kicks off on Wednesday, September 2nd, as the Gulls welcome Simmons to the Nest for their home opener. Endicott then turns around and travels down 128 to Brandeis on the 4th and 5th to play Keene State, the University of Southern Maine and Brandeis at the Brandeis Invitational.
