2019 Preview: Liberos/DS, Setters
This is the first of a two-part series previewing the 2019 Bryant University volleyball team. Wednesday, BryantBulldogs.com will look at the middle blockers, outside hitters and opposites.
SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Junior Erika Ward (Rochester, Mich.) enters her third year in Smithfield coming off a sophomore season to remember.
The Bulldog libero helped the Bryant University volleyball program to its first Northeast Conference Championship in November as the Black & Gold swept Sacred Heart to head to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in Bryant's Division I era.
The previous night, Ward had one of the most impressive performances in recent memory by a Bryant libero, tallying a career-high 32 digs, including the 1,000th of her career, to outlast Central Connecticut in a five-set semifinal in Brooklyn.
With two years' experience as Bryant's primary libero and a talented group returning in front of and beside her, Ward is ready to go for Round 3 when Bryant faces San Diego State Friday in Fort Myers, Florida.
"The opportunity I have had my first two years has allowed me to experience different situations, some tough and adverse, but some of the greatest and most exciting moments of my volleyball career," said Ward. "Because of this, I have gained confidence in myself, in this team and in the program."
Ward is not alone in bringing a wealth of experience back in 2019 among Bryant's group of defensive specialists. Senior Nikki Kim (River Edge, N.J.) appeared in all 35 matches in the Bulldogs' 2018 championship season and served as the libero in a pair of them, including Bryant's first-ever win at Providence in September. Kim was also one of Bryant's most reliable servers and swung momentum in Bryant's favor with four aces in a comeback road win at America East champion Stony Brook.
Freshman Abby Rae (Walpole, Mass.), a two-time all-state honoree in Massachusetts, joins the group and will give 24th-year head coach Theresa Garlacy another back-row option in 2019.
"The defensive players continue to challenge each other and will be the building blocks of our program," said Garlacy.
Bryant graduates one of the most accomplished setters in its Division I era with the departure of Kirstyn Sperry but features a trio that all look to be part of the Bulldogs' consistent success at the position throughout Garlacy's tenure.
Junior Alisi Motu'apuaka (Virginia Beach, Va.) is the most veteran member of the group, having played in 49 matches over her first two seasons, with the majority of her playing time as a sophomore coming as a DS. Motu'apuaka recorded double-digit assist totals 13 times as a freshman.
Sophomore Jenna Knight (Scottsdale, Ariz.) made an impact setting and on the right side in her first season in Black & Gold. Knight was a key contributor in a pair of wins over Central Connecticut, hitting .429 with 10 kills in October in New Britain and hitting .368 with nine kills and six blocks in the NEC Semifinal victory in Brooklyn.
Freshman Mia Cergol (East Northport, N.Y.), the Newsday Suffolk County Player of the Year in 2018, will have an opportunity to make an impact as Garlacy uses the four non-conference weekends to prepare the Bulldogs for the Sept. 27 NEC opener.
"I am expecting to continue the tradition of great setters at Bryant," said Garlacy. "This group will run a creative offense especially with the versatility of our hitters."
Bryant begins its 2019 season Friday at 4 p.m. when the Bulldogs face San Diego State in a tournament hosted by FGCU in Fort Myers, Florida. The Bulldogs' home opener will be Friday, Sept. 6, when Bryant hosts North Dakota in its first match of the Hampton Inn-vitational.
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