Head Coach Jaak Raudsepp (center) with assistant coaches Noelle Kuhn and Chris Kies.
Colonial Generals
The Lady Colonials women?s volleyball squad enters the 2001 season under the leadership and guidance of a new head coach.
Jaak Raudsepp, who has refereed on Long Island for the past 18 years, not only understands the game, but also Southampton Graduate Campus' competition in the New York Collegiate Athletic Conference, where he has officiated.
Raudsepp's volleyball resume is extensive. Currently the head coach of Hauppauge?s high school varsity and middle school squads, which run after the college season, he was selected for Coach of the Year honors in 1999 when he led his team to a Suffolk County championship. On the collegiate level, Raudsepp has coached at the State University of New York at Old Westbury and SUNY-Stony Brook.
At Stony Brook, Raudsepp graduated with a biochemistry degree and met his bride-to-be, Pamela -- appropriately while attending a volleyball class. Raudsepp also played for the U.S. Army men's team from 1979-1981. Pamela will serve as the Lady Colonials? assistant coach with Chris Kies.
Raudsepp's mentor at Stony Brook was head coach Teri Tiso, one of the top women?s volleyball coaches in the nation. In an interview, Tiso praised her understudy's abilities and believes he will prosper at Southampton Graduate Campus. "Jaak has a great passion for the game and is a good teacher," she said. "He's always had a strong work ethic, which I'm sure will lead to success."
Chris Kies, a former Southampton men?s volleyball player, returns for his second season as assistant coach. During his four years playing for Southampton, the team won the Division II Championship twice, and he had over 750 kills, 500 digs and 40 aces. He was named Best Defensive Player in 2000 and graduated in 2001. Kies has a true love for volleyball and enjoys sharing his knowledge of the game.
?I hope my enthusiasm will contribute to a very successful campaign this year,? he said.
Student Assistant Noelle Kuhn is a former Southampton Graduate Campus volleyball captain who was named to the New York Collegiate Athletic Conference all-star squad last season. She will provide a familiar face on the bench and play a supporting role in bringing success to the Lady Colonials. She especially cherishes the opportunity to share her knowledge of the sport with the younger players.
"I just love volleyball and feel that my experience will help bring success to the team," said Kuhn.
Captains Marisa Baran and Brooke Obad
With almost all of the team's key players returning, the Southampton Graduate Campus women's volleyball team is set to contend for a league title.
Last year the Lady Colonials went 7-4 in the New York Collegiate Athletic Conference as Noelle Kuhn was named a league all-star. While the team loses Kuhn to graduation, returning are captains Brooke Obad (team highs: 866 assists, 227 digs, 53 aces) and Marisa Baran.