Season Preview: Women's Volleyball Ready To Start Season In Lone Star State

Women's Volleyball | 8/28/2024 8:00:00 AM

PITTSFORD, N.Y. – The St. John Fisher University women's volleyball team, looking to win their fifth Empire 8 title in the last six years, begins the 2024 season with four matches in Texas, with two on Friday at Austin College and two more on Saturday at the University of Dallas.

The Cardinals on Friday face Lakeland University at 3 p.m. EST before playing host Austin at 5 p.m. On Saturday, Fisher faces McMurry University at 11 a.m. and Dallas at 1 p.m. Fisher has never played any of the four teams before.

"We love taking trips to start our season because we feel that it gives our team time to get away from campus and just spend time together," head coach Kelly Greapentrog, entering her 16th season at Fisher, said. "There's always great opportunities for team bonding, new experiences in a different city and competition that we don't typically get to see during the regular season."

The Cardinals last season went 17-12 overall and 8-0 in Empire 8 play during the regular season. They had their 48-match Empire 8 winning streak, which began in 2019, snapped in the league championship semifinal against Alfred. Fisher had won four straight Empire 8 titles.

Cardinals Return Five Starters, 15 Players Overall From 2023

The Cardinals return plenty of production from 2023, including Empire 8 Player and Rookie of the Year Kaylene Noble. The outside hitter amassed 388 kills, 251 digs, 36 blocks and 33 aces last season. She is one of two players in league history to have won Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year in the same year.

"Kaylene is a special athlete who has the ability to overwhelm an opponent's defense," Greapentrog said. "She's made incredible strides since last season and we are looking forward to seeing what she can do this year."

Fisher also returns junior libero Kiera Hartpence, the 2023 Empire 8 Defensive Player of the Year. She had 411 digs, 114 assists and 38 service aces as a sophomore.

"Kiera is the heart and soul of our defense and passing game, everything we want to do starts with her controlling our passing game," Greapentrog said.

Fisher's other top returning players include sophomore middle blocker Ana Gutman, junior settler Reilly Morrow and senior middle blocker Olivia Nellis.

Hartpence, Nellis and junior defensive specialist Isabella Mahar were chosen as the team's captains for 2024.

Newcomers To Watch

Outside hitter Lydia Fraser figures to contribute as a freshman.

"Lydia has a heavy arm and the ability to be an impactful six-rotation pin player," Greapentrog said.

The Cardinals also added Merrimack transfer Marilyn Whitcavitch, who played in 28 matches and made 15 starts for the Warriors as a sophomore in 2023. She had 40 blocks and 24 digs.