2014 Roster2014 Schedule2013 StatisticsNEWBURGH, N.Y. – After a third-place finish in the Skyline Conference Championship tournament a year ago, the Mount Saint Mary College women's volleyball team is looking to bounce back in 2014 and find the championship glory that it earned just two seasons ago. With seven players still on the roster from the 2012 championship team, the Knights are hungry to bring home another title.
"The seniors did win a conference championship two years ago, so they do have that to fall back on," said head coach
Mike Strano. "And they want to get there again."
Unlike last year's squad that was without seniors, the 2014 Knights have three senior captains to lead the team, as well as mentor the incoming freshman class and younger student-athletes. Middle blocker
Natalie Candarelli (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y.) returns as the team's leading blocker with a total of 45 in 2013. Defensive specialist
Brianna Johnston (Breezy Point, N.Y.) turned in 260 digs last year, as well as 66 service aces. Outside hitter
Katie Lynch (Island Park, N.Y.) played in 128 of 133 sets for the Knights last year and threw down 238 kills.
The Knights also return four key juniors who all play significant roles for the team. Right side
Kaitlin O'Brien (Staten Island, N.Y.) was the Knights' best server last year with 78 service aces, and was effective all around with 1.13 kills and 2.53 digs per set.
Kayla Kurka (Islip, N.Y.) moves from middle blocker to outside hitter this season. She was an All-Conference player last year with a .296 hitting percentage to go along with 1.87 kills per set and 34 blocks on the year. Libero
Jen Gries (Hicksville, N.Y.) also made the All-Skyline team after leading the Knights with 3.91 digs per set, as well as 35 services aces on the season. Strano described right side
Maribeth Powers (Yorktown, N.Y.) as a great utility player capable of playing any position, which is proven by her 1.18 kills, 0.51 assists and 0.59 digs per set a year ago.
Five sophomores are back from 2013 looking to improve and carve out new roles this season. Setter
Claire Scully (Bloomfield, N.J.) is coming off an All-Conference season after leading the Knights with 712 assists. Setter
Kristen Maddock (Medford, N.Y.) will also look to pick up big assist numbers as she earns a larger role at the setter position this year. Outside hitter
Rachel Sabatini (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) led the Knights with 2.40 kills per set a year ago, and is looking to build upon a successful freshman year. Outside hitter
Elizabeth Lavin (Hicksville, N.Y.) saw limited action a year ago, but was effective with 1.03 kills per set. Middle blocker
Marissa Howlett (Marlboro, N.Y.), as well as Lavin, have shown great improvement at their respective positions according to Strano. Howlett was able to pick up 44 kills and 11 blocks in just 39 sets in 2013.
Strano brought in five freshmen for the 2014 campaign, all of whom stand a chance to earn significant playing time in their first season. Libero
Chelsea Barberan (Fishkill, N.Y.) was a star player at nearby John Jay High School, where she was an All-League, All-County and All-Section player while leading John Jay to its first appearance in the New York State tournament. She was also the libero for the Apex National Team. Middle blockers
Megan Williams (Glenmont, N.Y.) and
Jennifer Bones (Camden, Del.) both stand 6-feet tall and are a threat to some of the best hitters around the Skyline Conference. Defensive specialist Julimar Figueroa (Dorado, Puerto Rico) was a Puerto Rico High School Athletic Alliance All-Star in both volleyball and basketball, as well as her team's Most Valuable Player in both sports. Outside hitter
Jackie Survilla (West Islip, N.Y.) is a versatile athlete who was also a catcher for her high school's softball team.
"I am excited about this freshman class," said Strano. "They have a lot to learn. It's a lot faster at this level, so they have to make those adjustments, and the seniors and returning players are helping them with that."
The Knights open their season with four matches as part of the Oneonta Invitational on Aug. 29 and 30. They then return home on Wednesday, Sept. 3, for their home opener against Ramapo College at 7 p.m. After that, they play 12 straight matches on the road before returning to the Kaplan Center to host Lehman College on Tuesday, Sept. 23, at 7 p.m.
The Knights will open Skyline Conference play on Saturday, Oct. 11, when they host Maritime College and St. Joseph's College (L.I.) in a tri-match. They will also host Yeshiva University on Wednesday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m., but play five other conference matches on the road.
"I expect a little more of a fire," said Strano of his team going into this season. "They all know now that it takes a lot of hard work to get there. I expect our conference to be very similar, that two or three other teams will be very close, and on any given day you can beat them."
Follow the Knights on Twitter at
@MSMCKnights
