Volleyballseniorsready to 'bump'into real world

by Chris Vesci staff writer

Seniors Natalie Daciw and Kristy Burton have played volleyball at Cabrini for a combined total of seven years and emerged as hard working leaders on the team. As their senior year comes to a close, these two athletes have much to reflect upon and aim for.

Daciw, who has devoted four years to Cabrini's-volleyball team, admits that she was "a little bit" scared to enter the college playing environment as a freshman. However, she cites her high school, Cardinal O'Hara, as having an excellent volleyball program and giving her valuable experience. A low point of her volleyball career came freshman year when she partially tore the anterior cruciate ligament in her knee and was out for the rest of the season.

She was able to rerurn to the game sophomore year, and this year she believes the team has come together well, especially with strong players such as juniors Danielle Wawrzynek, Angela Grassa and Nicole Gramlick. She declares that they are a great group that gets along fine and that they even "hang out outside of volleyball."

Daciw's remaining goal is to become the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference player of the year. She is especially proud of being named the honorable mention PAC player photo courtesy of Kristy Burton of the week twice this season.

Senior Kristy Burton may continue to play in graduate school.

While she admits that she came to Cabrini to get an education first, she does highlight her improvements as a volleyball player. Mainly, she has become a better defensive force. Daciw, a strong offensive player, admits she lacked equal skill "playing in the back row."

Is volleyball hard work? Daciw maintains it is more of an enjoyable experience for her. She also mentions Coach Jim Harrigan as being "very supportive" and understanding that grades come first.

Daciw is graduating in December, so she is getting her resumes out now. Her major is human resources and she simply wants a "regular nine to five job." In regard to volleyball, she will sWl be playing after graduation, in a coed league at Penn State University.

Burton has played volleyball at Cabrini for three years. An avid player, she has been involved with the sport since fourth grade. She says that she always "enjoyed playing the game" and looked forward to the opportunity to continue playing in college.

Corning into Cabrini, Burton wanted to be sure that she would be given the opportunity to play, as well as to devote much attention to her srudies. She believes the team has improved over these seasons and stood together well.

A sad point in her volleyball career occurred when she was forced to take off last season due to a death in her family. However, she points to being named rookie of the year her freshman season and most valuable player her sophomore year as two high points. Another victory for Burton is her rerurn to the sport this season after last year's absence.

Burton maintains that volleyball is just as competitive as any other sport here at Cabrini, and there is a lot of weight training that is done in the off season. She praises Harrigan as "a good coach with a good

knowledge of the game."

After graduating, Burton plans to attend graduate school for psychology. She is contemplating playing volleyball there, since she has one year of eligibility left.