Volleyball begins season Friday with high hopes for another solid season
The MCLA Volleyball program is hoping to continue their recent trend of success as the two time MASCAC finalists embark on the 2017 scheduled starting Friday
2017 Roster
2017 Schedule
2017 MASCAC Preseason Poll
North Adams, MA- The MCLA Volleyball program opens up their season this Friday with a trip to the West coast as the Trailblazers look to continue their recent form as they've been MASCAC finalists the last two seasons. The Trailblazers will look a bit different this fall however as they lost All New England standout Allison Clark to graduation. Last season, the Trailblazers went 17-14 and were 4-2 in league play. The last two seasons were the most successful in school history.
Still, the Trailblazers enter the season with high hopes and will carry a third place ranking in the MASCAC preseason poll with them as they look forward to starting their season. Leading the way for MCLA is head coach Amanda Beckwith, who enters her 12th season for the Trailblazers. She will suit up a roster of 16 women, including ten with varsity experience.
Leading the way in 2017 will be seniors Maggie Allen and Chanielle Enomote. Allen is the top returning offensive player for MCLA as she amassed 198 kills a season ago, good for second on the team. Enomoto battled through some injuries in 2016, but should be a key contributor this season. The versatile player has been a defensive stalwart during her career, but also could see time on the attack as a senior.
Other key returners for MCLA include Melissa Hopkins, Brianne O'Rourke, Brooke Queripel, and Alyssa Keegan on the attack. O'Rourke led the team with 55 blocks last season while the others contributed on the offensive side of the net. Setting up the offense will be Tessa Sestito and Tayler Wiese. Newcomer Natasha Stewart could also see time in this role as the season plays out.
MCLA returns Michelle Laga in the libero role as she totaled 189 digs last season. Enomoto also collected 279 digs in just 22 matches last season. Celine Manigbas returns for her second season as well and could push for some time in this role.
The Trailblazers welcome six new players this fall and they'll compete for playing time. Transfer Sara LaFreniere adds some depth to the attack as does first year player Janitza Santiago. Mackenna Jordan, Parker Snyder, and Kristin Mange-Rock will compete for time on the courts as well.
The West Coast trip begins on Friday with a pair of games against Redlands and Wisconsin Eau-Claire. The trip continues on Saturday when MCLA battles Occidental and Chapman before returning to North Adams for the home opener on September 5th against Mount Holyoke. MASCAC play opens up on the 12th of September when MCLA travels to defending champion Framingham State.