Season Preview: Volleyball poised for third straight Patriot League Tournament
8/26/2013 4:24:00 PM | Volleyball
The Lehigh women's volleyball team looks to use its depth to its advantage when the Mountain Hawks open their season at home on Friday with the Lehigh Classic Tournament. The Mountain Hawks return two-time Patriot League Libero of the Year Rachel Charles along with fellow preseason All-Patriot League selection Amanda Clark, who hope to lead the team to its third consecutive Patriot League Tournament.
Â
Charles' average of 4.98 digs per game in 2012 put her atop the Lehigh single season record book. She also led the team with 473 digs and 28 service aces. Head Coach Bob Bertucci and the team depend on the libero's performance quite a bit, but the addition of freshman Mariah Brantley adds some depth to the position.
Â
"Rachel looks like she's in great shape and ready to go," said Bertucci. "We also have our freshman Mariah [Brantley] who possesses some of the quickness and speed that Rachel does, and is developing her passing now to be able to adjust to the college game."
Â
The backcourt will also see the return of sophomore defensive specialist Katie Troyan. The Bethlehem native missed much of last season with an injury, but is now fully recovered.
Â
"Katie really started to make a mark for herself before she got injured last year," said Bertucci. "She's looked very good in training camp so far. She's been one of our top passers and one of our strongest players mentally. I think she's really going to help lead the team."
Â
The Mountain Hawks return many experienced outside hitters, and also add a few talented newcomers. Junior Kaylynn Genemarras will return on the right side. She finished 2012 with 171 kills, 35 total blocks and 25 digs.
Â
"We believe Kaylynn is capable of really making an impact for us," said Bertucci. "She's just a very physical athlete. We converted her from the setting position to the right side because she's so strong at the net."
Â
Genemarras will get help from returners Stephanie Slater and Claire Bradshaw, who both gained invaluable experience on the team trip to China, according to Bertucci. The addition of freshman Kianna Taylor will add more depth to the position as well.
Â
"Bradshaw has really developed over the summer to be quite an attacker, and she's always been a good blocker," said Bertucci. "She keeps getting better and better and she's a very physical athlete who gives us the option to use on the right side too, but is also one of our defensive players. Kianna gives us a little bit more size on the right side, and I think it's just a matter of time for her to develop into a real force."
Â
Returning starters Courtney McCutchan and Jade Van Streepan will take on the left side for the Mountain Hawks. The two combined for 295 kills and 374 digs in 2012. Sophomore Leah Turner and freshman Morgan Lowe will also step in on the left side.
Â
"Leah played tremendously in China," said Bertucci. "I thought she was one of our standout players, and it wouldn't surprise me to see her breaking into the starting lineup at some point. Freshman Morgan Lowe played for one of the top club teams on the East Coast and perennial state champion Hempfield High School , and is a really good all-around player. She's going to make an impact right away. She's game ready and she's been having a great preseason."
Â
Preseason All-Patriot League player Amanda Clark along with Ana Vrhel will return as Lehigh's middle blockers. Clark finished second on the team with 206 kills, 48 total blocks, 42 digs and a .229 hitting percentage in 2012. Vrhel will look to step up to fill the void of former standout Taylor Poole. The Mountain Hawks have also added two freshmen middle blockers in Taylor Carroll and Katie Jennison.
Â
"Both of the freshmen had a very good preseason," said Bertucci. "They're continuing to grow, and will be able to support the other two players very well, as well as challenge them at times during the season."
Â
Senior Dana Raber and sophomore Amy Matula return as the Mountain Hawk setters. Both saw plenty of action last year and combined for 1,010 assists on the season.
Â
"With the addition of our freshmen class, I think we have all the depth we need to make it through a very competitive volleyball season," said Bertucci. "They're a very athletic class and all great players who have shown through preseason that they belong in Division I volleyball."
                                  Â
The schedule will feature 20 home matches this season which includes three tournaments hosted by the Mountain Hawks. Lehigh will welcome opponents for the Lehigh Classic and the Crosstown Invitational, as well as co-host the Lafayette College Tournament. The team went 6-4 at home last year, and expect to continue the winning record.
Â
"It's great for our team, especially for our seniors getting to play at home in front of their fellow classmates for their last year at Lehigh," said Bertucci. "I think it's great for our fan base to be able to be developed, and give our existing fans the chance to see us play a lot. The only downside is that we're not going to have a lot of travel experience under our belt early in the season."
Â
After all three tournaments, Lehigh will open Patriot League play against Lafayette at home. The 2012 Mountain Hawks finished with an 8-6 league record. Bertucci knows that the addition of Loyola (Md.) to the league will make this year even tougher, especially if the Mountain Hawks aim to make their third consecutive Patriot League Tournament appearance.
Â
"Going into my third season, I've only seen the Patriot League get better and better because of the coaches they've brought into the league as well as the development of the teams in the league," says Bertucci. "Over the course of a long competitive season, depth will definitely be one of our biggest strengths. This team is very committed to being the best that they can be."
Â
Lehigh opens the season on Friday and Saturday when they host New Hampshire, Saint Peter's and Rhode Island in the Lehigh Classic. Lehigh's first match will be against New Hampshire Friday at 7 p.m. in Leeman-Turner Arena at Grace Hall.
Â
Like Lehigh Volleyball on Facebook and follow on Twitter for exclusive updates throughout the season.
