BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Canisius College volleyball team begins the 2016 Campaign on Friday, however the team will launch the upcoming season with a new look and plenty of new faces to go along with ambitious goals and aspirations.
The biggest change to the Blue and Gold came from atop the program, as Canisius hired former assistant coach at Butler, Lenika Vazquez to be the new caretaker of the Griffs.
With Vazquez' assistance, Butler earned a berth into the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament in 2013, followed by a trip to the Big East semifinal round in 2014 after the team went 20-10 overall and 12-6 in league play. In her time on staff, six players earned all-league honors, and setter MaKayla Ferguson was named the Big East Freshman of the Year in 2014.
The team itself welcomes five freshmen to the fold, with Cassidy Ceriani, Carly Shifflet, Kristin Baker, Gabrielle Darnaby, and Leah Simmons. The group of newcomers bolsters a lineup that returns two of its top three offensive leaders from 2015.
While new faces join the team, its the returners who will be asked to fill the void of last year's senior class, which boasted All-MAAC honoree Lauren Siebert, and one of the best setters in the history of the program in Grace Streicher. The departure of Jordan Tylec also has left a void in rank of the libero position. Tylec posted career-highs in digs per set and matches played in her final season.
One player who will be looked at to provide leadership immediately is MAAC All-Preseason team member Katlyn Tyler. Last season, Tyler led the Griffs in kills per set with a 3.77 mark. She also boasted the second best hitting percentage with an average of .187.
Jacklyn Malusa also returns and figures into the offense prominently. Malusa was third on the team in kills per set last year with a 2.15 mark.
A player that played in several roles last year has the potential for a breakout season for the Blue and Gold in 2016. Alexandra Brown was cast in a number of roles in her first campaign with Canisius, working the inside, outside and even played some libero. She finished with 0.85 kills per set, 0.67 digs per set and was second on the team in blocks per set with a 0.60 mark. A more defined role for Brown should help those numbers flourish this coming year.
Canisius as a whole attempts to improve upon an 11-19 overall mark and a 9-9 conference record. The hopes for a playoff berth went down to the final weekend, before being dashed by tiebreak scenarios, with rival Niagara taking the final playoff spot.
The Blue and Gold kick of the season at the Bucknell Tournament on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 25-26. On Friday the squad will face East Carolina beginning at 5 p.m., and on Saturday face Bucknell and Fairleigh Dickinson, at noon and 4 p.m.
