2023 Women's Volleyball Season Preview
SMITHFIELD, R.I.- The Bryant women's volleyball team returns to action this week, set to begin their 2023 season against the University of Texas Arlington. The Bulldogs are entering their second season as members of the America East Conference.
Bryant finished its first year in the America East with an overall record of 19-12, including a 6-4 record in conference play. The Black and Gold enter this season ranked fourth in the America East preseason poll. Although Bryant did not receive a first-place vote, senior Josie Deluga expressed her belief in this group:
"I think we have the opportunity to prove many people wrong this year," Deluga said. "Although we lost a lot of players, we have a lot of people stepping up and we have a lot of potential."
Bryant would find its stride late in the 2022 season as they would finish 7-2 and earn the number three seed entering the conference tournament. Their season would come to an end when they lost to the eventual America East champion UMBC Retrievers.
Coach Theresa Garlacy will be leading yet another talented group in her 28th season at the helm. A steady mix of youth and veteran leadership will be at the very core of this team's DNA. Coach Garlacy mentions the strengths of this team saying:
"Our team has unparalleled athleticism at multiple positions and we are competing every day for playing time," Garlacy said. "One of my biggest surprises and treats would be the cohesion we have with so many new people and I think that's a testament to our upperclassmen leadership."
Blockers
Bryant collected 230.5 blocks last season, and will now look to junior Morgan Smith, and sophomore London Hunt to step up following the departure of Alysa Wright and Haley O'Brien. Smith has appeared in 12 matches for the Bulldogs over her previous two seasons and averaged 1.33 k/s in 2022. Hunt ended her freshman campaign collecting 15 total over 7 matches. New Jersey Gatorade Player of the Year Brookelyn Talmadge and Nadine Abdat close out the freshman portion of this group for Bryant.
Outside Hitters
After nearly tripling her kills from her freshman season, Aubrey Lapour will return to help power an offense that was second in the conference in kills in 2022. The junior finished third on the team with 189 total kills, leading the way with 2.42 per set. She recorded a career-high 20 kills vs. Syracuse, becoming the only Bulldog to eclipse 20 kills on the season. Senior Fabi Castro also returns to this group after appearing in all 31 matches and 110 sets for Bryant in 2022. She recorded 10+ kills three times, including back-to-back matches vs. Boston College and Brown, and had three straight 10+ dig matches from 10/9-10/18. Joining Lapour is sophomore transfer Arianna Ugolini. In her freshman year at St. Francis Brooklyn, she appeared in 21 matches and recorded a career-high 10 kills at Stonehill and 11 digs against Merrimack. Freshman Grace Sorensen rounds out the outside trio for the Bulldogs.
Opposite Hitters
Junior Miranda Jantzen will return after totaling nine kills, 13 digs, and three aces in 2022. She is joined by sophomores Lea Mackey and Ana Fuertes as well as freshman Nina Gavin.
Setters
Junior Carolina Camacho returns to the program after registering a career-high 275 assists across 23 matches and 67 sets in 2022. She will be joined by sophomore Melis Isik who recorded 28 assists, 6 digs, and 1 kill through her 10 sets last season. Freshman Madison Koeller is also set to join the Black and Gold this fall.
Libero
Senior Josie Deluga and junior Gianna Grigaliunas return for this group following the departure of defensive anchor Abby Rae. Deluga played in 22 matches and 49 sets and was the starting libero in the America East semifinals. She recorded 111 digs (2.27 digs per set) 234 serve receptions, 31 assists, and 10 aces last season. Grigaliunas only appeared in 5 matches in 2022 due to injury. They will be joined by freshman Carrina Barron.
Service
Bryant was fourth in the America East averaging 1.52 ace/s. Fabi Castro who had 15 service aces in 2022 ranks the highest among the returning Bryant players. Josie Deluga ranked second with 10 followed by Carolina Camacho (4), Miranda Jantzen (3), and Gianna Grigaliunas (2).
The Bulldogs will also compete against Air Force and URI at the Air Force Tournament in Colorado Springs, Colorado. As the next era of Bryant Volleyball is set to begin, junior Morgan Smith spoke on the excitement the upperclassmen feel leading this new squad:
"We have the opportunity to have a clean slate, start the culture from a new spot and it's really exciting having all these freshmen come in, showing them the ropes and I think it will be a good season with all the new talent we have".