PAT LONGOBARDI — Sports Writer
As the two seniors for the SCSU volleyball team wind down their college careers, two major holes are soon to be found between the court’s lines.
Both players are fighting for a postseason appearance in their last opportunity.
Southern honored Megan Hiss and Megan Lyons prior to the Owls’ match against Franklin Pierce on Oct. 13 at Pelz Gymnasium.
“It’s been a great four years,” Lyons said. “It’s gone by really quick. I’m glad to be here and I’m fortunate to play with great players.”
The Owls are 19-10 overall record and 8-7 in the Northeast-10 conference, making the conference tournament for the second time in school history. The Owls were also ranked No. 10 in the NCAA Division II East Regional.
Lyons is an outside hitter who came from Haldane High School. She helped her team win the 2007 New York State Class D title before coming to the Owls.
She has played in 101 games this season and is second on the team with 260 kills, first in total attacks with 871 and has 35 service aces.
Lyons started with the Owls as a libero before moving to her prime position as a sophomore. Lyons was a big part of Southern’s first conference tournament appearance in 2009.
“It was a good distance for my family to come watch me,” Lyons said. “I actually didn’t make the team right away.”
Hiss (Trinidad, Colo.) is a weak side (right) hitter and outside hitter from Hoehne High School. She helped her team win back-to-back state championships and she was also a three-year starter in basketball. Hiss transferred to Southern from Adams State (Colo.) for the 2010 season and made an immediate impact.
“Megan Hiss has been here for two years and she’s given us a lot of power on the right side, which we haven’t had in previous years,” SCSU head coach Lisa Barbaro said. “She’s been good on blocks.”
As a junior, Hiss played in 99 sets and finished second in kills and fourth in blocks.
This season, she has played in 109 games, has 232 kills, 693 total attacks and is second on the team with 67 blocks.
Lyons, an art major, said see she will focus more on her art career after her time with volleyball comes to an end.
“Life after volleyball–I never really considered it too much,” she said. “I am trying to focus on that planning after volleyball.”
“Lyons has been very valuable to the program,” Barbaro said. “She is one of the best defenders and one of our fierce competitors. On game day she is out there working hard and she is a leader as can be seen by anybody.”
While the Owls ended their regular season, they were caught in the snow storm that hit the east coast, causing many girls on the team to get sick, including Hiss.
“We need to get healthy,” Barbaro said. “It is a challenge being on a bus during a snow storm. Staying healthy is the biggest thing.”
Barbaro said as the team fought towards the end of the season, she has seen many people try to lead.
“I have seen them step up,” she said. “People like Megan Hiss and Megan Lyons, being seniors, only have a few matches left in their careers.”
