Bernier part of winning volleyball team

    The UMPI women’s volleyball team has experienced a lot of success the past two seasons.
    Last year, the Owls won the Sunrise Conference Championship while going undefeated in conference play. They are continuing that streak this year as they have remained undefeated in conference play.     “One of the highlights of the season has been beating Husson College in all three matches we played,” said second-year coach Terry Cummings. “This is huge for our program as Husson has been a powerhouse in volleyball for several years now.”
    UMPI’s first two losses this season came against two of the best teams in the state in Bates and Maine Maritime Academy. MMA has won back-to-back NAC Championships and has a solid chance for another this year.
    “We played them both tough and that has given us a lot of credibility,” Cummings said.
    The Owls have three seniors who have had outstanding careers. Erica Davis has been a four-year starter and is considered by many one of the premier players in the state. She leads the team in blocks.
    Michelle Ferry, a transfer from MMA in 2008, is a two-year starter who has brought a lot of big-game experience to the team. Both Davis and Ferry were All-Conference and All-Region players last year. The final senior is Johanna Bubar, a two-year starter, who played soccer before and made a really quick transition to volleyball.
    A natural athlete, Johanna does “whatever is needed,” according to Cummings.  “She is a competitor who does not like to lose.”
    Rounding out the starters is Megan Korhonen and Victoria Rowe, both juniors, along with sophomore Karen Creighton and freshman Allison MacDonald. Korhonen and Rowe are three-year starters and have improved tremendously. Korhonen is the team’s setter and “does a great job of keeping us in every match with her never say die attitude,” according to the coach.
    Rowe is an outside hitter who continues to improve her swing each and every day. Creighton gives the Owls a front row player who compliments Davis, as she is a great blocker as well. MacDonald, our Libero, continues to adjust to the college style of play and will be counted on for bigger things next year as the Owls lose their seniors.
    Stacy Bernier of Limestone, another freshman, continues to work hard in practice and will also be counted on to fill some big shoes next year.
    UMPI is now preparing for the Sunrise Conference Championship, to be held Saturday, Nov. 14 at Saint Joseph’s College.
    “We want to repeat as Sunrise Conference Champions,” Cummings said. “This would be a great way to end the season and a great way for our three seniors to end their careers.”