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Miami RedHawks team-by-team fall preview

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12:26 AM Thursday, August 25, 2011

Field hockey

Last year: 14-7, 8-2 MAC

Key players: Senior midfielder Amanda Seeley (All-MAC first team), sophomore goalkeeper Sarah Mueller (eight shutouts, All-MAC second team), sophomore forward Emily Gruesser (All-MAC second team)

Top newcomers: Freshman midfielder/back Hannah Brotzge, Louisville, Ky. (two-time all-state), freshman midfielder Chrissy Zessin, Bloomfield Hills, Mich. (three-time all-state)

Best games: at Indiana Aug. 26, host Virginia Sept. 9, host Kent State Oct. 23

Outlook: The defending Mid-American Conference champions have a new coach in Inako Puzo, who replaced Jill Reeve after Reeve took the head coaching job at Brown. The RedHawks, who lost the MAC Tournament championship match to Kent State 3-2, return 14 letter winners and have been picked to finish second in the MAC preseason poll.

Men’s cross country

Last year: Won Dayton Flyer 5K Challenge, All-Ohio Championship and Miami Invitational, tied for second at MAC Championship

Key runners: Junior David Eichenberger (All-MAC first team), junior Jarrod Eick (won Miami Invitational title)

Top newcomers: Freshman Tyler Kvach, Avon (Ohio Division II state runner-up), freshman Ben Silver, Downer’s Grove, Ill. (first-team all-state)

Best meets: host Miami Open Sept. 10, at LSU Invitational Sept. 24, at MAC Championship at Ball State Oct. 29

Outlook: Veteran coach Warren Mandrell returns six letter winners and will seek a repeat visit to the NCAA Great Lakes Regional meet, where the RedHawks placed 18th last fall.

Women’s cross country

Last year: Won the Dayton Flyer 5K Challenge and All-Ohio Championship, third at the MAC Championship

Key runners: Senior Maggie Bingham (All-MAC second team), senior Kelley Miller (All-MAC second team)

Top newcomers: Freshman Jess Hoover, Hilliard (three-time state qualifier), freshman Mattie Moncayo, Lexington (third at state meet)

Best meets: host Miami Open Sept. 10, at Penn State National Meet Oct. 14, at MAC Championship at Ball State Oct. 29

Outlook: The RedHawks face a challenge with the loss to graduation of NCAA qualifier Rachel Patterson. Third-year coach Kelly Phillips does return four of her top seven finishers from last year’s Mid-American Conference Championship meet.

Volleyball

Last year: 12-21 overall, 5-11 MAC

Key players: Senior middle hitter Cassie Farrell (preseason All-MAC selection), senior outside hitter Colleen Loftus (started 30 matches with 239 kills), junior outside hitter/libero Lisa Treadway (led team with 350 digs)

Top newcomers: Freshman middle hitter Sarah Chaney, Middletown (named Southwestern Buckeye League Player of the Year three times for Madison), freshman setter Meg Riley, St. Louis, Mo. (named St. Louis Athlete of the Year in both volleyball and basketball)

Best games: At University of Pittsburgh Invitational vs. four-time defending national champion Penn State Sept. 2, Miami Best Western/Sycamore Inn Invitational Sept. 9-10, host Ohio Oct. 30

Outlook: Coach Carolyn Condit will try to guide the RedHawks back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2008 as she begins her 28th year at Miami. Her team has been picked to finish second in the Mid-American Conference East Division and returns five starters plus its libero from last year’s squad.

Women’s soccer

Last year: 13-7-2 overall, 5-4-2 MAC

Key players: Senior midfielder Giselle Mangal (All-MAC second team), junior midfielder Jess Kodiak (led MAC with 24 total points), sophomore forward Katy Dolesh (All-MAC second team)

Top newcomers: Redshirt freshman goalkeeper Allison Norenberg, Palatine, Ill. (notched two shutouts in first two games this season), freshman midfielder Kelsey Dinges, Smithton, Ill. (first Illinois player to record 100 career goals and 100 career assists)

Best games: At Xavier Aug. 26, Miami Invitational Sept. 9 and 11, host Toledo Oct. 2

Outlook: Bobby Kramig, in his 29th year as head coach, has a good blend of proven veterans, including seven returning starters and several talented freshmen. The RedHawks are the defending Mid-American Conference East Division champions and have been picked to finish first in this year’s MAC poll.

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