The Pitt-Bradford volleyball team is set to open the 2016 season at the Moravian Greyhound Premiere Invitational Friday against Ursinus and Alvernia.
The Panthers will play a total of four matches this weekend and will look to set the tone for a better start than a year ago. Pitt-Bradford lost 12 of its first 16 matches in 2015 before ripping off seven wins in the final 11 contests. Much of that can be attributed to experience as the Panthers were working to replace six starters. Second-year head coach Tom Roof believes this year's squad is better prepared.
"I really like the makeup of this year's team," Roof said. "We return nine players from last year and with the six new players we have in, I think we're deeper than we've ever been. Not only that, but we're quicker and more athletic."
Sophomore Kirsten Platz, the reigning AMCC Newcomer of the Year, returns to lead the Panthers in 2016. The middle hitter ranked among the league's leaders in blocks and kills last season. Platz, along with sophomores Alexis Dhayer and Courtney Holzwarth, are expected to show improvement from a promising rookie campaign.
The senior class of Christina Rauh, Megan Geary and Mandy Finch provide experience at key positions. Rauh, a setter, led the AMCC in service aces a year ago and will be tasked with engineering the attack. Geary provides depth at the same position, and Finch, an outside hitter, was among the team leaders in kills in 2015.
Juniors Alma Turpin, Erin Fagan and Emily Reitz all played significant roles last season, and much of the same will be expected this year.
The freshman class of Sydney Shepherd, Katie Sedon, Meagan Welsh and Gesica Ferrar will push for playing time as well. Roof has praised their athleticism throughout the preseason and is excited about their potential. Transfers Rose Thacker (Northeast Mercyhurst) and Brianna Majot (Lock Haven) round out the team.
The Panthers will play 13 of their first 14 matches on the road, including tournament stops at the Vassar Invitational and Wooster's Ginny Hunt Kilt Classic. Pitt-Bradford opens the home slate Sept. 15 against Houghton and kicks off AMCC play at home against Penn State Behrend Sept. 28. The Panthers missed out on the league playoffs a year ago, snapping a streak of eight-straight appearances. Roof hopes the experience from last year will better serve the Panthers in 2016.
"Last year I thought we didn't really play well in the big AMCC games," Roof said. "And I think that was a product of being such a young team. Hopefully, now, that won't be the case.
"We have to play with confidence and that's how we're going to have to play this weekend if we want to get the start we're looking for."
Franciscan was tabbed to repeat as conference champs, edging out regular-season champ Penn State Altoona. Pitt-Bradford was picked seventh, but Roof believes this team is capable of much more.
"Our conference is loaded this year again and it's going to be a fight for everyone just to get to the playoffs, but I'd be disappointed if this team doesn't challenge for a conference title," Roof said.
