2011 Women's Volleyball Preview
Sixth-year head coach Niko Paul and the Mitchell College women's volleyball team will look to make waves in the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) in the 2011 season.
Mitchell returns six letterwinners and adds eight newcomers to the roster for the upcoming season. The Mariners graduated their top hitter and setter from a year ago, so Paul will need to fill those holes with a mix of experienced veterans and young talent.
Senior Bianca Young is the only starter among the returners. She will be the most experienced outside hitter on the squad, as she started 18 matches last season and finished with 55 kills. Classmates Marie Connelly and Brittany Zaccaria each saw quality time off the bench in 2010 and will assume larger roles this season. Connelly ranked second on the team in assists last year while Zaccaria ranked third in service aces.
Paul will rely on several new faces to make immediate contributions. Among the newcomers expected to make an impact are outside hitter Alivia Royal, setter Nicole Terni and libero Arianna Thomas. The group will need time to gel but should be ready to roll by the time conference play begins.
The Mariners will play an 18-game schedule in 2011 that begins on September 10 with a pair of matches at Pine Manor College. Mitchell will then host Saint Joseph College (CT) in its home opener on September 14, the first of six matches slated to be played on the New London campus. The schedule also includes non-conference dates against in-state foes Albertus Magnus College, Connecticut College and Eastern Connecticut State University.
Conference play begins on October 4 against Daniel Webster College. The Mariners will play a total of eight NECC contests for a shot at qualifying for the NECC Championship, which begins with quarterfinals action on November 1. The nine conference schools will battle for six spots in the tournament, and the winner will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Championship.
