Women's Volleyball: 2016 Season Preview
(Nashua, N.H.) The Rivier University Women's Volleyball team will look to compete in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference record, 7 consecutive appearances in the GNAC Championship match as they are set to begin the 2016 campaign. Reaching the GNAC Championship will be no easy task as they have a very challenging schedule ahead with tough non-conference and out-of-region opponents to go along with their GNAC counterpart, who are all looking for a shot at the title. RIV returns five starters from a season ago and five other upperclassmen that will look to build on last year's 28 win team.
RETURNING STUDENT-ATHLETES
Five talented seniors look to make Raider history by becoming the 1st class to ever win 3 GNAC Championships and will provide most of the firepower on offense for Rivier. Lauren Silverman (5'11, MH, Chelmsford, Mass.), an AVCA All America Honorable Mention, an AVCA All Region Team member, and an All GNAC 1st Team selection will be counted on to show why she is one of the most dominant front row players in New England with both her offense and block at the net.
2015 All GNAC 2nd Team selections Molly McCormack (5'7, OH, Ballston Lake, N.Y.) and Dana Mott (5'9, MH, Medway, Mass.) will be right there with Silverman. McCormack, who is also a 2 time All GNAC 1st Team member (2013, 2014), will be relied upon once again to play valuable minutes for RIV thanks to her solid all-around game. Look for the 5'7 outside hitter to be the foundation to the Raiders offensive and defensive game. Mott, Silverman's counterpart in the middle, is also an All GNAC 1st Team member (2014) and will once again bring an explosive offensive game to the court. Mott's ability to be versatile on offense should open up her teammate's games and could also get some swings for herself on the pins.
Chelsey Hussey (5'10, OH, Lebanon, Conn.), the Raiders undeniable team leader and foundation to the RIV family, will make a return to the outside hitter position after a junior season playing on the right side. The three-time Rivier Scholar Athlete and three-time GNAC All Sportsmanship member will not only once again be leaned on for her experience and leadership skills but as the power outside the Raiders need to be successful.
Newcomer Alley Stefanovski (5'7, S, Rochester, N.Y.), a Division II transfer from Molloy College in the East Coast Conference, will look to bring her talents to the setters spot and direct the offense while playing consistent defense in the back row for RIV.
Bethany Trevino (5'3, L/DS, Westminster, Colo.) the 2014 GNAC Defensive Player of the Year and 2015 All GNAC 3rd Team member will be relied upon once again for her ball control. Expect to see Trevino in the middle of a stellar Raider defense and serve receive corps. Madison Soucy (5'6, L/DS, Tolland, Conn.) will bring her brand of hustle and determination to the Raiders defense, complimenting Trevino's back row play, in hopes of frustrating the opponent's attackers and servers. Look for the two defensive players to be all over the floor for the Blue and Grey.
Alex Trevains (5'10, MH, Litchfield, N.H.) and Erin Rosa (5'11, MH, Cumberland, R.I.) both hope to pull in what they learned in their first two seasons and take the next step in their games to help Rivier in the front row with their offense and block. Both have been playing in the middle but could see some times at the pins if needed. Transfer Ashley Winet (5'7, OPP, San Gabriel, Calif.) adds needed depth to the right-side for the Raiders.
Hayley Macken (5'8, S, Clifton Park, N.Y.), arguably the most athletic player on the Rivier roster, has her sights set on running the Raider offense as only a sophomore. Expect to see the second year player getting plenty of minutes at the setter position with her poise and athleticism. Classmate Taylor White (5'6, OH, Dunstable, Mass.) will take what she learned in her first season and hope to build on it this year as a back row player and outside hitter. Transfer Meaghan Six (5'7, DS, Manchester, N.H.) will round off the Raiders back court with her defense and receive.
INCOMING STUDENT-ATHLETES
Four newcomers will bring added depth and skill to all positions and all have the ability to see significant minutes on the floor for RIV. Sunny Foglia (6'0, MH, Remsenburg, N.Y.) an All-League selection and 2x County Champion in Long Island, NY will help bolster the Raider front row with a powerful offense while picking up some blocks as well. Jillian Boyle (5'4, L/DS, North Andover, Mass.), the MVC Division 1 Player of the Year, will bring her consistent serve receive and stifling defense to the Raiders back row and should help solidify an already strong Raider defense. Taylor Dunster (5'7, OH, Sutton, Mass.), the DVC Player of the Year, has the ability to be a carbon copy of McCormack with the all-around skill to play all 6 rotations for the Raiders. Jessica Whyte (5'10, MH, Plymouth, Mass.), a Patriot League All-Star, will add more depth to the front row. Expect to see this first year player to get stronger as the year goes on learning from Silverman and Mott.
