One Keene State College volleyball player is making her way up the program’s record book, but to her it’s all about the team results.
Senior Outside Hitter Angela Silveri has been a mainstay in the Owls’ starting lineup since her arrival on campus. Over her first three seasons she led the team in kills. This season, as of September 28, she leads the team in kills with 148.
In addition, Silveri is the third all-time in kills with 1178 as of September 28 and third all-time in attack attempts with 3334. When asked about the accomplishments, Silveri said she is more concerned about her team. “It feels good but as long as our whole team is accomplishing our common goal [of winning],” Silveri said.
Over her career, Silveri has earned a number of honors, including being on the 2014 Little East Conference First Team, receiving 2013 Co-Little East Conference Offensive Player of Year and being named to the Little East Conference Second Team in 2012. Silveri said she does not think about all her accomplishments when she plays.
“I definitely do not think about it at all. Just going out there and playing your best everyday is a big aspect of it and learning from each other,” Silveri said.
According to Head Coach Bob Weiner, Silveri has become an excellent all-around player.
“She has become a complete volleyball player. She can do everything. She didn’t
Photo Editor / Tim Smith
come that way she certainly is now,” Weiner said. Even if Silveri is not having the best day offensively she will make it up elsewhere, Weiner said.
He continued, “If she is not having a fabulous day offensive game she makes up for it with defense, with serving, she can do everything,” Weiner said.
Silveri said she believes that being a complete player is crucial to her game. “Being well rounded and being able to do every skill [is essential] you never know when you are going to have to step in or do something like another position does. It benefits you because you learn everything,” Silveri said.
Senior and Captain Alexis Michal said that Silveri is a good influence to the team.
“[Angela] is a very positive influence on our team. She brings confidence, power and strength to our team. She is one of the older players and she has developed into a very good athlete and she has a very good court sense,” Michal said.
Weiner echoed that statement, telling a story about how he has told recruits to figure out what player was Silveri based on her accomplishments. Weiner said the recruits could not figure out who she was because she does not bring the baggage of being a star player.
“She is so unassuming she is just one of the girls and she absolutely understands the team concept. Therefore she is a fabulous teammate and fabulous girl to have in practice because she is always working and trying to get better,” Weiner said.
He added, “[She] is the most drama free player we’ve had here that is this good.”
Silveri said learning is something that you are consistently doing. “You learn every day and I feel like you learn something new every day so being able to bounce off of feedback,” Silveri said.
Senior and Captain Cat Kazazian said she is always taking in feedback.
“She is always taking advice from everybody. She is always learning and looking to take everybody’s advice and do with it what she wants,” Kazazian said.
Silveri is also a good role model to the younger players. First-year Libero Riley Bunker said, “I look up to her and I like her hitting and passing. She is an overall good player and I enjoy playing with her, she is very fun.”
According to Weiner, Silveri is going to be one of the two best players to play at Keene State numerically.
“She is chasing Bridget O’Brien (class of 2012) numbers in three different categories. I don’t think she is going to pass her,” Weiner said.
When reflecting on her accomplishments, Silveri said, “It’s pretty cool.”
However, the biggest thing she thinks about is the progress her class made on the court. When Silveri arrived she was one of nine first-year players and the team only had four returning players.”
We’ve all come such a long way this being our senior year makes everything much more bitter sweet,” Silveri said.
During her career at Keene State, the Owls lost in the LEC Championship twice (in 2012 and 2013) and last year fell to Eastern Connecticut in the semi-finals of the LEC Tournament. Silveri said it would be awesome to go out a champion.
“Our history and how close we have been getting. It is definitely important,” Silveri said.
Brian can be contacted at bclemmenson@kscequinox.com
