Garden City, N.Y. - The Adelphi University volleyball team will open up the 2013 season on the road in Allendale, Michigan, as part of the Grand Rapids Classic on September 6. This year's version of the Panthers will be drastically different from the 2012 squad. Gone are seven letterwinners, half of last year's team, gone are 1,436 digs and 899 kills, gone is a senior class that won 95 games and made four straight NCAA tournaments. However, the seven returning letterwinners from a year ago are ready to step into the opportunities presented them, along with five newcomers.

"We lost a very talented and decorated senior class last May, but we are excited about the 2013 season and the opportunities that are in front of us," Head Coach Danielle Macknight stated. "I feel that we had a great preseason and with the talent we have returning and brought in for this fall, our goals have not changed. I expect us to compete for a top spot in the Northeast-10 Conference and another NCAA Tournament berth."

Despite the loss of such a large senior class the core values of the Adelphi volleyball team remain the same and this year's squad will lean on the Panthers tradition of excellence just as past classes have. However, with five fresh faces joining the team this fall, coach Macknight knows that the 2013 campaign is a marathon and not a sprint.
 
"This year will have its own, unique challenges and will require patience and a heightened level of teaching," MacKnight explained. "However, our talented freshman class has been developing and adjusting to the college game quickly and our returners have shown great maturity and leadership."

The driving force behind this year's team will be the junior and senior classes, which are made up of four players who all saw significant time a year ago and know how to find ways to win games.

The senior class consists of Adelphi's three-year setter Katie Bryson and quality outside hitter Colleen Raga. Bryson, an AVCA All-Region and NE-10 All-Conference selection a year ago, is the engine that makes the Adelphi offense run, posting 2,421 set assists during that span.

Raga, a smooth hitting 5-11 athlete, was having her best season in an Adelphi uniform last year, totaling 138 kills in just 23 games, before an ankle injury cut her season short.

Juniors

Haley Blunt and Kaitlyn DeStefano have matured into strong all-around players and mature leaders. Blunt, a quick jumping, hard hitting, outside hitter, has come into camp in great shape and stepped right into the void left by the loss of last year's senior class, marking herself as a go to player this fall.

DeStefano became a full-fledged force last fall in the Northeast-10, earning the programs first AVCA All-American honor. The 6-2 middle blocker is within striking distance of the school record for total blocks, amassing 289 in two seasons, and will help Adelphi's defense control the game, while continuing to give Adelphi a very strong option on the offensive side of the court.

Sophomores

Last year's freshman class was given a year to learn and grow, behind such a decorated senior line-up, and that development has shown this year. Ajsha Mekulovic came into camp and improved and more confident player and is in the mix for time at both the libero and defensive specialist spots. 

Alayna Jackson, a 5-10 setter from Texas, saw limited time last year due to injuries, but is healthy this fall and has a greater grasp of the Adelphi's offensive and defensive schemes, making her much more comfortable as a setter and earning her time on the court.

A 6-1 middle blocker, Shelby Stoner showed flashes of the height of her potential last fall, and has matured into a potential force in the middle for the Panthers.

Freshmen

This year's freshman class is athletic and deep, with all five members possessing the potential to contribute right away. Caleigh Dolese and Sierra Crook are competing for time as the libero and defensive specialist, along with Mekulovic. Dolese has the ability to step in as a role player right now and add depth to both defensive spots. Crook's defensive game is loud, aggressive and confident, allowing her to play like a seasoned veteran.

Britney Raby is a right side from Ontario and gives the Panthers a third six footer on the roster. She has great potential and carries prototypical college right side size. Both Mandy Stanislovaitis and Amanda Borges swing from the outside and are fighting for time at that spot as they make the transition to the collegiate game.

Schedule

The Panthers will open the schedule on the road at Grand Valley State, with games against the host Lakers, Wayne State University, Saint Leo and Truman State. "I like getting our team out of region early in the fall. I want the kids to play good teams from other regions and have the chance to form the crucial team bonds away from campus," MacKnight said.

From there Adelphi will face a bevy of non-conference foes, including Dowling, Molloy, Millersville, Wilmington, Holy Family, NYIT, LIU-Post and Philadelphia, before opening up their Northeast-10 slate of games on October 5 with a ride to Saint Rose.

"The conference is pretty wide open this year," MacKnight stated. "New Haven is always tough and Franklin Pierce returns a lot of talent, but every team in the Northeast-10 is talented and has the potential to compete for a top-three finish."

Adelphi will get Franklin Pierce at home this year, on November 1, before traveling to New Haven on November 2 and closing out the season at home against Merrimack on November 16.

Be sure to follow the Panthers on Facebook and Twitter for up to date news for all of Adelphi Athletics!