Coming off the most successful season in school history, the University of Mary Washington volleyball team will start the 2017 season ranked 10th nationally by the American Volleyball Coaches Association, with a wealth of experience playing at the highest level returning.
The Eagles, who finished 31-4 a year ago and advanced to the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals after claiming the Capital Athletic Conference Championship for the first time since 1991, lose just two players from last year's team due to graduation. Included in that duo is All-America setter Emma Olson, and her leadership and overall game will be one of the challenges for this year's squad to overcome.
"We are really seeing early dividends in pre-season with returning such an experienced young group", said UMW head coach Matt Troy. "The leadership from our captains and returnees has been valuable to our new freshmen and transfers getting acclimated to our culture and expectations."
The group that is returning is large and talented. Sophomore Savannah Powers, who gained NCAA Tournament Sectional MVP as well as CAC and VaSID State Rookie of the Year, will lead a deep group of returnees at the hitter position. Sophomore Peyton Dunow, who was named to the NCAA Sectional all-tournament team, will also provide quality experience to the outside, while junior Leslie Walters, an All-CAC selection, and sophomore Skyler Sisk will ably man the middle.
Defensively, senior Jenna Yost will build on her record-breaking season at libero, while junior Ryan Cho will provide leadership from the back line.
The schedule will provide plenty of challenges, including an opening day match against 16th ranked Eastern University as part of a tournament at Haverford, as well as matches against Ithaca, Randolph-Macon, Christopher Newport, and Johns Hopkins, all of whom received votes in the preseason national poll.
The home opener will be on September 6 against Randolph-Macon at 7 p.m. The Eagles will then host a tournament on September 8-9, where they will face Johns Hopkins, Berry, Averett, and Susquehanna.