Keene Holds Alumni Volleyball Match

From Stuart Kaufman, Sports Information:

Former Keene State women’s volleyball players will get together on Saturday, August 29, for a first-ever alumni match against the current Owl team.

Bob Weiner, KSC’s fifth-year coach is expecting 12 to 15 alums to play in the game scheduled for 2 p.m. at Spaulding Gym. “I want to salute the women who helped build the program,” he said. “I think this is a great way to get them connected with the present team, because it’s a program to be proud of.”

Weiner said the alumni game came about because the NCAA allows teams to have a scrimmage, and Keene State needed someone to play. “I thought, ‘What better than to organize an alumni game?’” he said. “I’ve been here long enough to have worked with some top-level alumni players.”

Weiner enlisted Kristen Mullins ‘03, a former four-year player and assistant coach, and Shelly Ellis ‘07, a standout outside hitter, to help recruit alums for the game. Mullins reports that several alums are still playing or coaching: Marla Malinauskas ‘02, Sandy Bernard, Stacy Parr ‘05, Abbe Robichaud Bryant ‘03, Lauren Graham ‘07, and Kelly Yankowski ‘08, are all coaching various high schools, junior high, or junior Olympic teams. Many participate in winter or summer leagues, or play in area tournaments.