Broadside Sports

By Jerry Holy, Broadside Correspondent

Following their conference championship, the George Mason University women’s volleyball team celebrated by singing “We are the Champions” by Queen.

With the fall season approaching, the team looks to defend the conference title, while sophomore middle blocker Kelsey Bohman and sophomore outside hitter Noelle Fanella look for a big year in 2010.

After an excellent performance in the 2009 season, Bohman and Fanella showed that they were a force to be reckoned with, making contributions on both sides of the court.

Both Bohman and Fanella started in the 32 matches of the 2009 season. For playing in their second year at Mason, the two players are already impact individuals in the conference for their roles on the court.

Bohman led the CAA in blocks per set with 168 blocks and was ranked 16th in the nation. She also led the team in hitting percentage.

Bohman was named to the All-CAA First Team with junior middle blocker and opposite hitter Holly Goode, and to the CAA All-Tournament Team.

Bohman was also named Best Hitter in the Patriot Invitational Tournament and earned CAA Defense Player of the Week twice.

Along with these accomplishments, Bohman was the recipient of the CAA Commissioner’s Academic Award.

Fanella was second on the team with 289 kills. She was also was ranked fourth in digs and aces.

Fanella posted six double-doubles during this past season. She was named to the N.C. State All-Tournament Team.

Fanella had five straight matches with double-digit kills, and also slammed 15 kills and 10 digs for a double-double in the CAA Championship Match against the VCU Rams.

Both Bohman and Fanella also set career highs during the 2009 season. Fanella set a career-high 19 kills against the William & Mary Tribe.

Bohman posted a career high in blocks with 11 against the Cornell Big Red.

Their most memorable moment of the 2009 season was the last point in the fifth set to win the CAA Championship Match against VCU.

Bohman and Fanella said it felt exciting and great to win the CAA title and the automatic bid for the NCAA Tournament.

The team’s celebration did not end at center court. After winning the CAA Championships, the team went to TGI Friday’s to celebrate. They ended up singing karaoke to “We are the Champions.”

The women’s volleyball team spends their free time together. That is a true example of being a team on and off the volleyball court.

Bohman and Fanella, along with the rest of the underclassmen, know they will have to step up as upperclassmen with the departure of seniors Laura Turner, Rebecca Walter and Sam Simmonds.

The upcoming freshmen players will have to do the same if they want to defend the CAA Title.

Bohman is majoring in business and communication because she loves television and media-related items.

Bohman plans on going to graduate school for the same degree and wants to go to New York once she has graduated from Mason.

Fanella is majoring in economics because she is interested in economics and business. Fanella plans on applying to graduate school for a master’s degree in economics and moving back to her hometown, Bloomingdale, Ill. after graduating from Mason.

Whether playing volleyball or having a good time off the court, Bohman and Fanella are part of a cheerful and accomplished group of ladies, and they really do mean business when it comes to for the women’s volleyball team.