Garden City, N.Y. - August 31, 2012 marks the beginning of the final push for the most decorated senior class in Adelphi University volleyball history. These six senior have never failed to qualify for the NCAA Tournament, making Regional Semifinal appearances in each of the past two years and have posted 20 wins or more in each of the past three years. But, they expect more this year.
 
“The expectations are high with such an experienced group,” Head Coach Danielle MacKnight stated.  “We just have to make sure we don't lose focus of what is right in front of us.”
 
The core of the Adelphi volleyball team is built on a tradition of excellence that has been handed down from each senior class to the incoming freshman for the past five years and this year is no different, with three strong freshman pulling on the brown and gold for the first time the expectations remain the same.
 
“As always, we take each season as a new beginning. We have set a great foundation of success from past seasons and would like to build on that,” MacKnight explained.  “A goal for the team this season is to get out of the region.” 
 
2011 was a year of firsts for the Panthers, as Adelphi captured the programs first Northeast-10 Tournament Championship in program history and followed that up with its first back-to-back Regional Semifinal appearance. The only subtractions from that squad are middle Patawe Simms and setter Erika Loomer.
 
Seniors
 
This year's senior class of six will continue to set the example, led by Northeast-10 All-Conference performer Chelsea Overholt and Northeast-10 Tournament MVP Bianca Hernandez. Overholt led the Panthers offensively with a team high 249 kills and 3.15 kill/set last year, while Hernandez was tops on the squad in digs with 478 and service aces at 43.
 
“I expect big things from Chelsea and Bianca.  Their leadership, attitude and focus will determine a lot for the team,” MacKnight said.
 
Samantha Rico and Emily Dorko will help shore up the first row with Rico seeing time as a middle blocker and right side and Dorko as an outside hitter. Rico put down 169 balls last year while picking up 45 blocks and Dorko was third on the team in kills with 206 and managed 85 digs on the year.
 
“Sam and Emily have the potential to be go to players for us and we need their consistency on the pins for our team's success,” MacKnight said.
 
Alexandra Kahen and team co-captain Bree Popham round out the senior class, adding depth and experience to the back row with Kahen seeing time as a defensive specialist and outside hitter and Popham as a libero and defensive specialist. Kahen had 21 service aces last fall and 210 digs, while Popham was second on the team in digs with 266 and in aces with 36.
 
“Having Bree and Ali in the back row should keep us solid in serve receive and defense and allows us to give teams a few different looks,” MacKnight stated.
 
Juniors
 
Katie Bryson, Colleen Raga and co-captain Samantha Breidenbach make up the junior class and will give Coach MacKnight options in the front row and added athleticism. Bryson, the team's top setter from a year ago led the team with 808 assists and added 30 aces and 44 kills, while quarterbacking the offense. Raga and Breidenbach posted a combined 76 kills and 20 blocks last fall and will see an increased role in 2012 as both players bring good size and agility to the front line.
 
“Katie will be called on again to run the offense. She does a great job moving the ball around.  With experience under her belt, I need her to be a leader on the court,” MacKnight explained.   “Sam B will be looked to step in the middle or right side position.  Her leadership, speed and athleticism will help the team greatly, while Colleen has a great attitude and her hard work will have her seeing playing time on the right side.” 
 
Sophomores
 
Northeast-10 All-Rookie selection Kaitlyn DeStefano and outside hitter Haley Blunt made immediate impacts in their first semester on campus. DeStefano was a force at the net, blocking a team-high 104 balls, including 21 solo blocks and putting down 191 balls as well. Blunt managed 106 kills of her own and picked up 30 digs in her inaugural campaign in brown and gold and both players will be counted on to give more this season.
 
“I love the energy of the sophomore class. Kaitlyn has done a great job adjusting with swing blocking and is expected to be a big offensive threat this season.” MacKnight said.  “Haley has put in hard work and will definitely see playing time on the outside.” 
 
Freshman
 
There are three new faces on the court this season for the Panthers, led by 6-1 middle blocker Shelby Stoner, who will be paired with DeStefano to give the Panthers two six foot space eaters up front. Texas native Alayna Jackson will serve her apprenticeship at setter under the tutelage of Bryson, learning how to run the Adelphi offense, while local product Aisha Mekulovic is a combo outside hitter and defensive specialist in the model of senior Alexandra Kahen.
 
“I will look to the freshman to step in and earn a position. They each have good role models and I expect big things from them in the future.” MacKnight stated. 
 
 
Adelphi will open the 2012 season on Labor Day weekend on the road at the Millersville Tournament in Pennsylvania. At the Marauder Clash Tournament the Panthers will take on Shippensburg, C.W. Post, Holy Family and Slippery Rock for the opportunity to enter the championship portion of the tournament. The following weekend Adelphi will fly to Alaska to participate in the Springhill Suites Invitational in Anchorage. The Panthers will play Western New Mexico State, the host Seawolves and Dixie State.
 
Adelphi will return to the lower 48 states for four more road games, facing Caldwell (9/14), Molloy (9/15), LIU Post (9/15) and Queens (9/20), before traveling to Assumption on September 22 to open up Northeast-10 play. In all, the Brown and Gold will play 14 games away from the warmth of the Center for Recreation and Sport before a two game home stand starts on September 27 against NYI followed by a 1:00 pm meeting two days later with American International.
 
The Panthers then return to the highways of the tri-state area for contests at Georgian Court (9/30), local rival Dowling College (9/30) and Northeast-10 northern neighbor Pace University (10/5), before a quick stop back on campus to host the College of St. Rose on October 6 at 2:00 pm. Adelphi follows up that home contest by racking up more road miles with trips to nearby Molloy (10/11), Syracuse, to take on LeMoyne (10/13), and the Boston area for match-ups with UMass-Lowell (10/19) and Merrimack (10/20).
 
The longest home stand of the season, three games, will take place between October 23 and 27 as the Panthers will welcome New Haven (10/23), Bentley (10/26) and Stonehill (10/27) to Garden City. Then it's back on the bus as Adelphi closes o ut October and opens up November with trips to Bridgeport (10/31), Franklin Pierce (11/2), Southern New Hampshire (11/3) and Southern Connecticut State (11/6).
 
The final two games of the 2012 regular season will be played in the confines of campus as Saint Anselm and Saint Michael's enter Garden City on back-to-back days, November 9 and 10.  
 
Adelphi is looking to add another first to their ever growing list this Fall, first Regional Championship and the first step starts this week.