WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. -- With an entirely new cast of Wildcats, second-year Head Coach
Kyle Hawk is ready to usher in a brand new culture for the women's volleyball program as the season gets underway at the SUNY Oneonta Red Dragon Invitational on Friday and Saturday, August 29-30.
Last season: 3-24 overall, 1-9 United East.
Coach: Kyle Hawk, second season.
Career record: 3-24.
Top returnees: None.
Key losses: (last season stats)
Hailey DeBrody (99 kills, 28 service aces, 183 digs, 34 blocks),
Jo Hess (6 kills, 11 service aces, 209 digs),
Nevaeh Ward (194 kills, 44 service aces, 238 digs, 20 blocks).
Top newcomers: (all freshmen) Setter
Ellen Banfill of Mill Hall, outside hitter
Lilly Stockum of Dauphin, middle/pin hitter
Mya Gilliam of Mount Holly Springs, defensive specialist
Nashalie Vializ of New Holland.
Outlook: A year ago during Hawk's first season at the helm, the Wildcats got a couple of monkeys off their backs with a two-season, 14-match loss streak ended with a first-time win over Penn State Mont Alto, and a UE season-opening victory for the first time since 2013 snapped a 46-match conference loss string. Still, an entire new roster means starting over.
"I think this season has the potential to be something special. We are going to be a young team, but everyone has come in eager to learn and make the program better. While we are a young team, everyone is incredibly talented. Once they get used to the speed and level play at the college level, I think we have the skill and potential to do well in the United East," Hawk said.
Inside the UE: Gallaudet University is the two-time defending champion and is favored to repeat, according to a preseason poll (Penn College is ranked 13th). Fifteen teams will vie for 10 playoff positions. First-round playoffs Nov. 5, quarterfinals Nov. 8, semifinals Nov. 11, championship Nov. 15.
