Mount Mary University volleyball is about to begin. The Blue Angels are coming off a season filled with learning and challenges, and hope to use what they learned to improve on what they did last year.
In 2014, the Blue Angels went 0-28 with a very young team. 11 of the 13 players on the Blue Angels roster last season were underclassmen. Hitting the recruiting pavement hard in the offseason, head volleyball coach Kelsey Peterson was able to bring in a more seasoned group.
Six new student-athletes come to compliment the current Blue Angels lineup, two of which are transfers, one of which has been a staple to the Blue Angels softball team for the past two seasons. The transfers bring along an extra sense of maturity, while Nicole Weggen (Sr./Menomonee Falls, Wis.) brings along her calm demeanor, leadership, and NCAA game time experience.
Along with the new class, the Blue Angels are bringing back three starters. Payton Hintz (So./Almond, Wis.) returns after receiving the Association of Division III Independents All-Association second team honors. Hintz led the team in assists with 256, and played wherever was needed, but settled quite well into the setter role. Hintz also finished third on the team with 77 kills.
The two iron-women Sarah Amoroso (So./Wauwatosa, Wis.) and Rachel Barker (So./Milwaukee, Wis.) return after playing in every single match. Between Amoroso and Barker, they missed a total of eight sets in the entire year.
The three returners will look to take charge right away and steer the team towards the successful path before Blue Angels volleyball play in their first ever NCAA conference tournament. As with basketball, soccer and softball, MMU volleyball will attend the Great South Athletic Conference postseason tournament. The winner of the GSAC tournament will be granted an invitation to play in the NCAA National Championship Tournament.
It is time for the Blue Angels season to begin. Another young team will hit the court, but with the vast experience of the returners, the 2015 season should be filled with excitement and success both on and off the court for the MMU volleyball.
The season begins Sept 4 against Crown College at 7:30 pm in the Bloechl Center.
