SPORI 10 I Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2010 Serve leading to aces By Jake Kaplan COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER Toss it and toss it high and then explode into the ball. That is exactly what Alyssa D’Errico, the senior libero on the No. 1 Penn WOMEN’S State women’s VOLLEYBALL volleyball team, does every time she serves the ball over the net and into the hands of the oppos ing defenses or onto the floor on the other side of the court. D’Errico has what teammate Katie Kabbes called “one of the toughest jump serves in the country.” And she has used it effectively so far this season. After leading the Nittany Lions with 62 aces in 2009, D’Errico has 15 service aces so far this season, 0.83 per set. The next highest total on the team is a mere four. “It’s a dominating serve,” Kabbes said. For comparison, the highest total on No. 4 Florida (5-0), which Penn State will face Friday night as part of the Nike Big Four Volleyball Classic in Gainesville, Fla., is only nine service aces. A Byron, N.Y, native, D’Errico said she learned the jump serve from her club coaches while she was in high school, when she was an outside hitter. Having the experience as a hitter helped her learn all the angles, the dif ferent types of shots and to develop control, which she then adapted into her serve. The toss is an important aspect of the serve, D’Errico said. When she tosses the ball up in the air, it almost seems as if the ball is halfway to smacking against the high rafters of Rec Hall. “It's comparable to ping pong and tennis,” said D’Errico, who added it took a lot of time and See D’ERRICO, Page 14. Collegian file photo D’Errico unleashes a serve. McElroy has sights set on perfection By Audrey Snyder COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER He was in the eighth grade, but Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy will never forget the day he lost his last fc r£d B T six FOOTBALL headini ; nto the leacm.g into .ae fourth quarter, a young McElroy was trying to lead his middle school team to victory against Cross Timbers. But just as the young quarter back was orchestrating a fourth quarter drive, his center snapped the ball over his head, leaving LIN E U P SPORTS ON TV Philadelphia vs. Florida 7:05 tonight, CSN Pittsburgh vs. Atlata 7:05 tonight, FSN TRIVIA Q: Before Reggie Bush, who was the last USC tailback to win the Heisman? Tuesday's answer 1984 and 1998. Senior linebacker Chris Colasanti (48) takes down a Youngstown State running back during Saturday’s victory against the Penguins. Colasanti By Andrew J. Cassavell COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER No matter who starts at run- Heisman winner Mark Ingram career-high 13 tackles in ning back for Alabama this week- will be facing a challenge of their Saturday’s win against end, Chris Colasanti understands own, Colasanti said, when the two Youngstown State, said it will be a chal- tailbacks will take on a deep Penn Alabama’s speed on offense will lenge for the Penn ' State linebacking group that present a task he hasn’t faced as a State linebacking FOOTBALL rotates five players. starter. corps. ===== “Not only from a personal He added, however, The senior mid- standpoint, but from a defense’s Richardson’s quickness doesn’t die linebacker, however, prefers to standpoint, I just feel like as a necessarily need to be neutralized look at the head-to-head position- defense we’re just looking for- by the linebackers’quickness, al matchup in a different way. ward to the opportunity,” “His speed is definitely con- Cost’s efforts paying off By Andrew Robinson COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER Drew Cost’s new coach quick ly learned what Cost’s team mates already knew the mid fielder can play. But what jiui what coach Bob MEN’S Warming wants SOCCER this year is start using his talent to grab people’s attention. Through the first two games of the season, he S done Andrew Dunheimer/Collegian just that. Drew Cost (left) chases the ball. I told him he s gotta catch ' ' your eye more when he’s on the field,” Wanning said. he’s really tried to do that.” “He’s gotta catch even the In two games for the Penn casual fan’s eye when he’s on the State men’s soccer team, Cost field and he can do that by being has tallied two assists and one more dynamic and, to his credit, goal, a fair start for any offensive McElroy with the bitter taste of defeat. “We conceded a safety and we ended up losing 8-6,” McElroy said. “It was a pretty disappoint ing afternoon. But fortunately for me, I haven’t had that same feel ing in quite some time, and hope fully not any time soon.” The Crimson Tide quarterback enters Saturday’s game against Penn State with a streak of 31 con secutive wins as a starter, his last loss coming during his middle school days. Former Penn State quarterback John Shaffer knows a thing or two about winning streaks. QUICK HITS (AP) Revis returns to practice Darrelle Revis is on the practice field for the New York Jets, a day after the All-Pro comerback signed a four-year deal that ended his 36-day holdout Coach Rex Ryan says Revis is expected to be ready to play in the Jets’ season open er next Monday night at home against Baltimore. Revis caught a pass during warmups Tuesday and received some mock cheers from the other defensive backs. He also worked with defensive backs coach Dennis Thurman on individual work during special teams drills. Revis agreed to the deal Sunday night and signed Monday afternoon. aiming at Alabama Trent Richardson and —if he Colasanti said. “We’re gonna be recovers from his knee injury by ready.” the 7 p.m. kickoff Saturday Colasanti, who recorded a Shaffer led the Nittany lions to a national championship during the 1986 season and finished his football career with a 66-1 record, dating back to his wins as a sev enth grader. The link Shaffer found between his success and McElroy’s is made up of three components: good teammates, great intelli gence and a whole lot of confi dence. “You do what you’re told to do, and you do what the coaches ask you to do,” Shaffer said. “It’s about understanding your role and realizing that no See MCELROY, Page 14. McNabb to start Sunday Donovan McNabb said Tuesday his sprained ankle isn’t 100 percent, but it won’t keep him from starting the Washington Redskins’ opener Sunday night against the Dallas Cowboys. “Yes, I will be starting this weekend,” McNabb told ESPN9BO. “And I look forward to it.” McNabb sprained his left ankle 2M> weeks ago in a preseason game against Baltimore. McNabb said die injury isn’t classified as a high ankle sprain the more severe type that has more significant ligament damage and a longer recovery time but he said it’s “very close to it.” He said he’s getting multiple treatments each day. “Is it 100 percent? N 0.... But it’s getting better,” he said. player. But consider all of last year Cost had only two assists and three goals, he’s on pace for a breakout year in the points col umn. Cost has moved up in the mid field, playing more forward than he did in the past, but he doesn’t feel he’s lost any of his defensive prowess. Playing further up, however, has allowed the senior to add more character to his game, something Warming wanted him to do. “The thing we’ve been empha sizing with him is he’s got to be more dynamic,” Warming said. “He’s embraced that, he’s trying to be more dynamic, to show his athleticism and show his quick ness and sharpness.” Early in the season during See COST, Page 14. Greg McElroy runs onto the field before last Saturday’s game. The Daily Collegian ceming,” Colasanti said. “But I think as a defense we’re gonna be ready. We’re gonna be well pre pared with our scouting report. We’ll know what they’re gonna do, how they’re gonna use him.” Al Fracassa, Colasanti’s aoach at Brother Rice High School in Michigan, noted his former play er’s work ethic and preparation, saying it makes him “play quicker than he is.” “The more you watch your See COLASANTI, Page 14. Shots, Shots, Shots The Penn State men’s soccer team heavily outshot its opponents in last weekend’s two victories. On target Source: GoPi Shots leading to success By Mike Still COLLEGIAN STAF WRITER It’s a statistic Bob Warming can’t hear enough, music to his ears. The Penn == State men’s soc- MEN’S cer coach SOCCER watched his _______ team outshoot its opponents 41-7 in two contests this past weekend in a 5-0 rout of Buffolo on Sept. 3 and a 1-0 victo ry over the College of Charleston on Sept. 5. Warming feels the statistic not only shows the Lions’ dominance in the possession game over the weekend but is a true testament See SHOTS, Page 14. Broncos still have work to do After Boise State beat the annually over rated Virginia Tech Hokies Monday night, fans and media alike have been assuming the Broncos’ slot in January’s national championship game. But such a prediction is largely prema ture considering the landmines that still remain on the BSU schedule. In two weeks, the blue turf boys ho .t ■, talented Oregon State team. In early November, they host a Hawai’i team with a pass attaqk that will certainly be clicking by then. And two weeks after that, a dan gerous Fresno State team comes to town. Finishing a season undefeated is no fluke. But you have to do it first. tonents Angel Perricone/Collegian
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