2010 Season in Review

Dittler, Hitnz Breakout as Panthers Just Miss Tourney

Purchase, NY (Nov. 5, 2010) – Purchase volleyball took a small step backward in 2010, winning eight matches a season after totaling 11 in the win column.

But the Panthers battled some tough breaks and remain confident that the postseason is in grasp – perhaps even as quickly as next fall.

Purchase received a breakout season from junior transfer Rebecca Dittler and standout returner Olivia Hintz. Although returning All-Skyline selection Taylor Edelmann did not play in as many matches as she did a season ago, she also returned to form, and when she was in the lineup, the presence of Dittler, Hintz and Edelmann provided one of the most exciting trios in the conference.

[Pictured above: 2009 ALL-SKYLINE SELECTION TAYLOR EDELMANN.
-Photo by Oren Vourman]

Dittler received three league honor roll mentions during the season, while Edelmann collected two and Hintz took home one. Purchase was on track for a playoff spot until the team hosted a quad match in October and dropped all three conference matches. The Panthers (8-12, 3-7 Skyline) never recovered narrowly missing the tournament.

While the “Big Three” of Dittler, Hintz and Edelmann received all the attention, the season was also highlighted by the play of the team’s senior “Big Three.” The Panthers said goodbye to graduating seniors Michelle Fetky, Erika Stahl and Laura Dykas – all of which go down as three of the best to ever wear a Purchase uniform.

The Panthers also received some notable play from newcomers Catherine Clark, Cathryn Mulvey, Lindsay Navagh, Regina Lynch and Megan Cohen. Returners Mickaela Olson and Rachael Popovic also teamed with the team’s core, giving the Panthers every opportunity to advance to the playoffs.     

The coaching staff is excited about the prospects of returning Dittler, Hintz, Edelmann and that core for next season, when the staff is also expecting a promising group of recruits.

-Bobby Ciafardini, SID

2010 Recaps:
Edelmann Leads Panthers Past York in Season Finale
OW Wins 'Battle of Panthers'
Panthers Come Up Empty in Quad-Match
Seniors Honored with Win
Sage Gets By Purchase 3-1
Panthers Sweep Conference Rivals
USMMA Sweeps Purchase
'Super Six' Delivers Win at John Jay
Lehman Takes Five Set Thriller
Purchase Rallies Past CNR
Panthers Drop Tri-Match at CMSV
Panthers Get Back on Winning Track at SL
Panthers Suffer Setback at Rutgers-Newark
Panthers Pickup First Win at Medgar
Brooklyn Rallies for Win
Manhattanville Gets Better of Rivalry 

2010 News: 
Kutner Named Interim Head Coach
Edelmann Wraps Season on HR
Three Straight HR Appearances for Dittler
Dittler Grabs Second Straight HR Mention
Dittler Named to Honor Roll
Fetky Named to Honor Roll
Edelmann Collects First HR of Fall
Hintz Garners Honor Roll Mention