2012 Roster
The 2012 women’s volleyball team returns the most experienced line-up in program’s history and welcomes a strong group of first-year players to the mix who should be able to contribute to the upward swing and continue the growth process which last year’s team started. As well, coach Amanda Logue added two new floor coaches to the program who will assist her with game strategies and individual skill improvement. Special blending of all the new personalities plus throwing in some good-old fashion hard work and dedication should produce a very competitive season with Hilbert fighting for a play-off spot.
The Hawks’ four seasoned veterans returning are seniors Rachel Kwiatkowski and Devan Jonathan in addition to juniors Shannon Memminger and Chelsea Reischuck. Kwiatkowski and Memminger will serve as repeat team captains again this year.
Memminger will continue to run the team’s offense. She set for a team-leading 498 assists while averaging 6.64 assists per set in 2011. Reischuck led the Hawks with 2.11 kills per set finishing with 137 kills and 214 digs. Complementing her last year was Jonathan who earned 111 kills (1.54 k/s). Kwiatkowski controlled the middle of the net finishing 2011 with 31 blocks, 16 as solo walls.
Jordan Botsford and Kayla Lewis are two strong players who will continue to see plenty of court time as they both bring depth to the squad. Botsford tallied the second most kills (131) but led the blue and white with 250 digs after rotating from the outside hitter to the libero to the middle hitter in 2011. Lewis earned 69 kills, 189 digs and 13 blocks as an outside hitter and will continue to improve statistically this season.
Freshmen Ashley Benjamin and Allegra Johnson add good size up front for the Hawks and they will be complemented by Chelsea Adamski, Stephanie Cooper and Olivia Tom who all can rotate into the defensive stopper role.
The Hawks open their season in the AMCC vs. NEAC Challenge hosted by D’Youville College when they square off against Morrisville and Keuka the first weekend of September. Hilbert then opens the 2012 season up with five straight home events in a row. They play Geneseo September 5th before they host their first tri-match against Utica and Alfred September 8. Wells College comes to the Hafner the next week just prior to Hilbert hosting their first annual Hawks Invitational September 14 and 15. The Hawks will play SUNYIT and Keystone Friday night then head into pool play Saturday where they could face Fredonia, Keuka and D’Youville on day two of the tournament. Two other non-conference home games are against Buffalo State and Wilkes. Hilbert will travel to Alfred to complete the home/away series with the Saxons; will venture to Oswego in October; and will participate in the Brockport Invitational and face the host team as well as Potsdam.
The Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference games are staggered to minimize the travel strain for all teams involved. The Hawks are scheduled to face Mount Aloysius and La Roche at Pitt-Bradford September 22 and Pitt-Greensburg and Altoona at Altoona October 13. That leaves quick road games to D’Youville, Bradford and Franciscan and home AMCC contests against Behrend (Oct. 2) and Medaille (Oct. 16).