Volleyball season preview: Opposites, Outsides and Setters

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – While youth reigns supreme at the middle and libero positions, the Bryant University volleyball team heads into 2017 with a veteran presence among its opposites, outsides and setters.

This is the second part of a two-part season preview for the Bryant volleyball team. BryantBullogs.com previewed the liberos and middles on Tuesday.

Littered with experience and talent, these three groups include three seniors, four juniors, and two freshmen. In fact, Bryant returns a majority of its playing time at these spots from last season.

While opposite will be a new position, there is nothing new about senior Ally Lunsford (Minneola, Fla.). The 6-1 product out of Florida has put together a very solid career for the Black and Gold and will be making the shift from the middle this fall. She's averaged 164 kills and 91 total blocks per season in her first three years in Smithfield. Freshman Mackenzie Wild (Rochester, Mich.) joins her high school and club teammate Erika Ward (Rochester, Mich.) on the Bulldogs this season, and was a first team all-league and first team all-region selection as a senior.

"Ally will be moving from the middle to opposite this season and we are expecting her to dominate the right side of the net with spectacular blocking and hitting," head coach Theresa Garlacy said. "Mackenzie is a work in progress and the staff expects growth to happen daily."

Bryant's outsides are arguably the most talented group on the court for the Black and Gold, featuring four players that have played a lot of volleyball in their careers. Leading the way will be junior Julia Flynn (Pembroke, Mass.), an All-Northeast Conference Second Team selection last season for the Black and Gold. She posted 3.09 kills per set a year ago and set a new program record with 34 kills in a match against Robert Morris.

"Julia can be a very dominant figure on the court," Garlacy said. "I am ready for her to take over her role as a captain and a leader on this year's team."

It's not just Flynn that has the Black and Gold excited on the outside, but the presence of senior Kiley Robbins (Garland, Texas), senior Cassandra Sulmeisters (Centennial, Colo.) and junior Kristin Kingi (Thousand Oaks, Calif.). Robbins was fourth on the team last year with 186 kills, averaging 2.38 per set. Sulmeisters posted four kills over three sets, while Kingi, who battled through injuries last season, looks to rebound to her freshman year form that saw her post 341 kills and earn All-NEC Second Team honors.

"Kiley will bring excitement, a quick arm, and her blocking skills to the court," Garlacy said. "Kingi has great serve receive and defense skills, and Cassandra has a solid work ethic and is a steady presence on the court."

And while the loss of two-time NEC Setter of the Year Vika Katzen leaves a big void, the return of junior Kirstyn Sperry (Phoenix, Ariz.) at setter will help alleviate that. An All-NEC Second Team selection, Sperry did everything last year for the Black and Gold, leading the team with 41 aces, finishing second with 535 assists and 58 blocks and ranking third in kills (213) and digs (295).

Joining her will be classmate Julia Malet (San Rafael, Calif.) and freshman Alisi Motu'apuaka (Fort Benning, Ga.). Malet posted 17 assists in three matches last season, while Motu'apuaka was an honorable mention all-state selection twice at Columbus High School.

"Kirstyn returns to the starting lineup with her experience and needs to take on a leadership role as a setter," Garlacy said. "Alisi, as a freshman, brings an enthusiastic energy to the position and is extremely vocal with her teammates. Julia brings consistency and precision location with her sets."

The Bulldogs will open their season on Friday at the Titan Tournament in Fullerton, Calif. Bryant faces Drake at 5:00 p.m. EST on Friday.