Charger Volleyball finds itself in a familiar position at the top of the preseason Northeast 10 Conference poll as conference champs. Coach Robin Salters does not think her team is under more pressure, “I don’t feel like there is any additional pressure being preseason favorites to win the conference title this year. Being a member of the New Haven volleyball team always come with a little more pressure because of our tradition of success at the conference and NCAA level. I think the team will take pride in being the preseason favorites to win the conference and will do everything they have to do to fulfill that prediction.”
With everyone who played significant time last season returning, the Chargers will rely on that chemistry built to bring their game to new heights this season. Led by senior outside hitters, Sara Malmlov and Keidy Candelaria, the Chargers can hit with the best of them from the side and up the middle. Junior libero Heather Ladao returns after playing in every set last season (116).With last season being her first season as the libero, she became more familiar with the position and will now build upon being named to AVCA East Region Honorable Mention. Junior setter, Chelsey Alpough, is coming into a great year after she was named to the AVCA All-East Region Team, Daktronics All-East Region Team, NE-10 conference setter of the year and First Team All-Conference. Sophomore Elizabeth Akinbiyi was named to the NE-10 All-Rookie Team after starting 34 of 35 matches and tallying a .224 hitting percentage.
The team has three freshmen coming in this season. Coach Salters expects each of them to fill a need to embrace their role and, as a result, the team will improve. Amber Cannady is the tallest player in the history of the program at 6-4. She will have an impact in the middle of the front for the Charger defense. Phyllisse Lewis is athletic and quick and will improve quickly in the type of system that Coach Salters employs. Ali Krikau is a defensive specialist that will help the team in that area.
The Chargers open season will host the University of New Haven Invitational, where they will play Caldwell College in the opener on Friday September 3. The next day, they will play Holy Family and University of Bridgeport, which is always a tough game. Following that, they will travel to Bentley for the Bentley Invitational, where they will face Bridgeport again, Georgian Court, and Bentley University. The remaining non-conference schedule is highlighted by a visit by East Region rival Dowling College. A change to host regionals may be on the line when the two squads face off in Mid-October. A date with cross town rival, Southern Connecticut, at home on October 6 will give the Chargers a change to avenge their only conference loss last season in the quarterfinals of the conference tournament.
