New York Liberties

Last updated April 27, 2019

The New York Liberties were one of six teams in the Major League Volleyball franchise. The league began in 1987 and ended short of completing a full season in 1989. Players consisted of former collegiate All Americans and Olympians.

Major League Volleyball (MLV) was a women's professional volleyball league in the United States. It was established in 1987 and disbanded during its third season on March 20, 1989.

Hofstra University is a private, non-profit, nonsectarian university in Hempstead, New York. Long Island's largest private university, Hofstra originated in 1935 as an extension of New York University (NYU) under the name Nassau College – Hofstra Memorial of New York University at Hempstead, Long Island. It became independent Hofstra College in 1939 and gained university status in 1963. Comprising ten schools, including the Northwell School of Medicine and Deane School of Law, Hofstra is noted for a series of prominent Presidential conferences and hosting several United States presidential debates.

The Westchester County Center is a 5,000-seat multi-purpose arena in White Plains, New York. It hosts various local concerts and sporting events for the area.

Results

The Liberties placed 3rd in 1987 and 4th in 1988.

Coaching

The Liberties were led by legend and Hall of Fame player/coach Mary Jo Peppler who was the setter in 1987 and for most of 1988 except in a few matches in which former Olympian and later beach player/partner Karolyn Kirby filled in.

Mary Joan "Mary Jo" Peppler is a retired American volleyball player and coach. Peppler was inducted into the Volleyball Hall of Fame in 1990.

Karolyn Kirby is a retired female beach volleyball player from the United States. She won the bronze medal at the 1997 World Championships in Los Angeles, California, partnering Nancy Reno. The pair also won the tournament at the 1992 Olympics, at which beach volleyball was a demonstration sport.

Former players

Players for this team were: Jo Ellen Vrazel (RS)(88-89); April Chappel (OH) (1987); Sandy Aughinbaugh (OH) (87-88); Karolyn Kirby (OH) (replaced Chappel in 1987-88); Wendy Stevenson S/Def. Specialist)(87-88); Laura Smith (MB); Ellen Crandal Orner (MB)(1988); Ellen Bugalski (MB)(1987); Nina Mathies (1988); Lira Vance (1988);

About former players

Ellen Crandal Orner, a native of Pennsylvania, attended Penn State and has an ice cream flavor after her called the "Crandal Crunch." Orner was traded to the NY Liberties in 1988 from the Dallas Belles (that franchise ended in 1987). Ellen started MLV with the Chicago Breeze in 1987.
Laura Smith's father died during her second year with the team and dedicated one of her matches in his memory. Smith was also known for her competitive and feisty spirit was a great asset to the Liberty block.
April Chapple was a powerful OH for NY but left the team prematurely in 1987 due to a torn cartilage in her knee. At the time of her departure she was ranked third for kills in the league. She was replaced by Carolyn Kirby.
Sandy Auginbaugh started season two while attending law school and missed some practice with the team. Auginbaugh was Major League Volleyball's best server in 1987, a designation that had she won it in 1988 would have netted her $5,000.00 extra as the league began with pay incentives for performance.

Pennsylvania, officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state located in the northeastern, Great Lakes and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The Appalachian Mountains run through its middle. The Commonwealth is bordered by Delaware to the southeast, Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, Lake Erie and the Canadian province of Ontario to the northwest, New York to the north, and New Jersey to the east.

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References

↑ "Volleyball at Center". nytimes.com. Retrieved 2018-03-24.

External links

1988 New York times article about the Liberties

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[1] "Volleyball at Center". nytimes.com. Retrieved 2018-03-24.