Bulldogs ready to take on 2015, open at home with Hampton Inn-vitational

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – A year after earning its highest finish of the program's Division I era, the Bryant University volleyball team is ready to get back on the court and prove it has what it takes to continue that climb up the Northeast Conference ladder.

The Bulldogs enter the 2015 season with experience running throughout its veteran ranks, a group that will be backed by six impressive newcomers eager to make their mark.

SETTERS
The driving force behind any offense, setters will be a highlight of the 2015 Bulldog roster. After a stellar redshirt-rookie season, Vika Nesterov (Kfar Saba, Israel) returns to headline the group after dishing out over 1,000 assists a season ago while also contributing 120 kills, 324 digs, 67 blocks and 21 aces.

But head coach Theresa Garlacy also expects solid contributions out of 5-foot-10 lefty Kirstyn Sperry (Phoenix, Ariz.), who will allow the Bulldogs to play a variety of offenses as the pair will see time apart and together on the court.

Both true students of the game, Nesterov and Sperry will provide a quick-tempo look on offense and will work to create one-on-one situations for the Bulldog hitters.

Also providing depth at setter will be 5-foot-9 rookie Julia Malet (San Rafael, Calif.).

RIGHTSIDES
Sophomore Kiley Robbins (Garland, Texas) returns to the net to help lead the Black and Gold offense after posting 143 kills and 50 stuffs as a rookie in 2014. One of the team's top blockers, Robbins will be looked toward to guide the ranks at the net and continue to build in confidence and finesse.

Robbins will also help with the progression on 6-foot rookie Sophie Hoekstra (Millersville, Md.), who will make an immediate impact on the Bulldog lineup. A lefty with the potential to quickly become a go-to offensive threat, Hoekstra will play a large role in filling the scoring gap left by the departure of top hitters Elena Lohr (334 kills) and Natascha Scarff (259) from a season ago.

MIDDLE BLOCKERS
Despite the sidelining of juniors Sara DePouw (Oconto, Wis.) and Maya Miosga (Sonthofen, Germany) to injury, the Bulldogs welcome two solid options back to the middle in sophomore Ally Lunsford (Minneola, Fla.) and senior captain Taylor Onoyan (Crystal Lake, Ill.).

After a strong spring, Lunsford has brought that same intensity into the 2015 preseason following a rookie year that saw her post a team-leading 94 blocks to go along with 160 kills. Onoyan, another of the team's top players at the net (68 blocks), will be looked at to provide senior leadership on the court and off.

Studying and working hard behind the duo is 6-foot frosh Grace Richmeyer (DeSoto, Mo.), who will be fighting for playing time of her own.

OUTSIDE HITTERS
Bryant's outside hitter ranks received an injection of youth in the offseason, with a trio of talented rookies pushing the pace alongside returning sophomore Cassandra Sulmeisters (Centennial, Colo.) and senior captain Victoria Bryan (Newton, Mass.).

Redshirt-freshman Julia Flynn (Pembroke, Mass.) headlines the bunch after spending last season on the sidelines due to injury. The team's hardest hitter, Flynn is expected to be a top threat right out of the gates and will continue to improve throughout the season as her confidence builds.

A steady presence for the Bulldogs, Sulmeisters returns to the ranks after a rookie campaign that saw her spend much of her time in the back row, where she recorded 127 digs. She will be joined by Bryan, whose strong passing, attitude and enthusiasm for the game makes her a true team leader.

Meanwhile, a pair of true freshmen – 5-foot-11 Kristin Kingi (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) and 5-foot-10 Margot Ruffieux (Cary, N.C.) – will push for time of their own between the lines. Kingi is a hard hitter who is still looking to find consistency, while Margot could press to see time in the front row this season.

LIBEROS
While the Bulldog offense looks to be in top form, it is the Black and Gold defense that truly anchors the side, a unit that is unquestionably led by senior captain and floor general Debora Magalhaes (Belo Horizonte, Brazil).

A 2014 All-NEC Second Teamer, Magalhaes is the team's top communicator and brings fire and intensity to the court. After a season that saw her lead the NEC and rank 11th in the nation in digs (660) and 21st in digs per set (5.20) in 2014, Magalhaes will once provide among the top attack coverage in the league as a senior.

But behind her, two more defensive specialists have put together strong preseasons. Junior Carissa Gould (Woonsocket, R.I.) continues to play scrappy defense, giving her the versatility to play any position in the back row for the Black and Gold. Sophomore Erica Vendituoli (Nashua, N.H.) has become more vocal with a season of experience under her belt and has focused on a strong serve-receive game throughout the preseason.

HAMPTON INN-VITATIONAL
The Bulldogs will open 2015 action Friday, August 28 and Saturday, August 29 when they host the Hampton Inn-vitational at the Chace Athletic Center. The four-team tournament hosted by Bryant will also include Holy Cross, Iona and Quinnipiac.

A full tournament schedule can be found here.