2014 Schedule | 2014 Roster
Introduction:Under the guidance of veteran coach
Danielle MacKnight the Adelphi University volleyball team has flourished, appearing in seven straight NCAA Division II Tournaments and winning 168 games. However, the Panthers are coming off what they would consider a difficult year, going 19-13 and bowing out in the first round of the NCAA East Regional.
"We lost a large and talented senior class to graduation in 2012, which left us very young and we played a very challenging schedule last fall," stated MacKnight. "Despite that the girls really came together and performed well at the end of the season, winning nine of our 10 October games to put us in position to make our seventh straight NCAA Tournament."
With a year of collegiate experience for last year's new comers and more game reps for the returners, expectations remain high for this year's squad. The Brown and Gold will be expected to earn an eighth straight trip to the NCAA Division II Tournament, win 20 games for the seventh time in eight seasons and finish among the top-three teams in the Northeast-10.
"Our goals have remained the same since I took over the reins of the program, win 20 games, make the NCAA Tournament and be one of the top teams in the conference and region," declared MacKnight. "We're led by a strong senior duo and have added a couple of nice pieces with our freshman class, so I'm excited to see what these girls can accomplish."
ReturnersFor each of the past two seasons Adelphi has been led at the net by two-time All-American middle blocker Kaitlin DeStefano, who is the programs all-time leader in blocks after just three seasons with 421. DeStefano is a monster on the offensive side of the ball as well, with a team leading 327 kills and an attack percentage of .353.
She is joined by fellow senior
Haley Blunt, who has shown great athleticism over the past three seasons and the ability to play all the way around. Blunt was second on the team in kills a season ago with 269 and added 343 digs. She will be expected to become a team leader and play at a consistently high level this fall for the Panthers.
"With Kaitlyn and Haley setting the example this year on and off the court the team will continue to execute at a high level and play with passion," said MacKnight. "Kaitlyn affects the game in a multitude of ways for us and the opponent has to be aware of her at all times, while Haley can take over and change the complexion of a game at any moment."
The junior class is an eclectic mix, consisting of middle blocker,
Shelby Stoner, setter
Alayna Jackson and defensive specialist
Ajsha Mekulovic. Stoner, a 6-1 blonde haired presence at the net, took a big leap forward last year, registering 262 kills and 102 total blocks. Jackson, an athletic setter has looked strong in practice and is competing for a starting spot, while Mekulovic recorded 94 digs in 2013 and is growing more confident with each practice, which has her in the hunt for significant time as Adelphi's libero.
"Shelby, Alayna and Ajsha made a nice jump in production last fall as a group and from what I've seen so far this year, I expect a similar leap this season," explained MacKnight.
Last year's freshman class was forced to grow up quickly, as
Amanda Borges,
Mandy Stanislovaitis and
Sierra Crook stepped in and saw major court time right away. Borges, a competitive outside hitter with great bounce posted 161 kills and 150 digs in her first season, while Stanislovaitis was a steady performer who really came alive toward the end of the season, compiling 129 kills and 137 digs. Crook locked up the libero position early last season, seeing time in 122 sets and using her sure hands and good foot work to collect a team-high 471 digs.
"Our freshman class really stepped up and contributed right away last year," stated MacKnight. "They had some moments where they saved points and sets for us. Amanda and Mandy came up with some really important kills and Sierra gave us consistent play on the back line."
NewcomersThis year's incoming class is expected to replace the loss of
Katie Bryson, who was a mainstay at setter and
Colleen Raga, who made an impact at the net last season.
Megan Manierski is expected to help fill the vacuum at setter left by Bryson's departure, along with Jackson, and has shown good hands and court sense early in preseason, while
Stephanie Sokolich will provide a depth and a tall target at middle blocker.
"We are really looking forward to seeing Megan and Stephanie in game situations and watching them grow as players and people this season," said MacKnight. "Both players have the potential to see significant time and really have an impact on our team and the game."
Summation Adelphi will open the 2014 campaign with a road trip to Clarion, Pennsylvania, to participate in the Tony Banner Memorial Tournament on September 5 and 6, which will feature games against Edinboro University, Concord University, Gannon University and hosts Clarion University. The Brown and Gold will return to Long Island to face the Golden Lions of Dowling College before jumping on a plane to Kingsville, Texas to compete in the Javelina Invitational hosted by Texas A&M Kingsville, where they will face West Texas A&M University, Fort Lewis College, hosts Texas A&M Kingsville and Eastern New Mexico University.
The home portion of the season will kick-off with back-to-back match against Chestnut Hill College and NE-10 foe, Saint Rose on the weekend of September 26, while three road trips stand between the Panthers and their next home court contest against American International College on Saturday, October 11.
Southern Connecticut State University will host the Brown and Gold on October 14, before the squad returns home for another weekend home stand against Saint Anslem College (10/17) and Saint Michael's College (10/18). Sandwiched between the remainder of the teams home matches is a final road trip to New Hampshire, where the Panthers will take on Franklin Pierce University and Southern New Hampshire University on the weekend of October 24.
The 2014 campaign will conclude with an away trip to North Andover, Massachusetts on November 8 to face Merrimack College.
