Salem State Ranked 7th in MASCAC Coaches Pre-Season Volleyball Poll
SALEM, Mass. – Salem State women's volleyball was picked 7th by the coaches in the MASCAC Women's Volleyball Pre-Season Poll on Friday, August 26. The Vikings, who finished 6th last season received (15) points. Framingham State and Westfield State split the first place votes with each team receiving three votes apiece while the Rams edged the Owls for the top spot with 44 overall points.
SEASON OUTLOOK
Salem State is coming off a 6-19 campaign and 2-5 conference mark, earning the final playoff seed, before losing to third seed Framingham State in the first round of the MASCAC Tournament. This season Salem State will rely on a mix of youth and proven veterans to get back to the post-season this year. Tri-captains Abby O'Connor, Ella Spiedel and Eva Haralabatos will be counted on to guide the team through a tough opening schedule. O'Connor registered a team-high 128 kills and will once again take on the main role of generating points for the Vikings while spearheading the defense, highlighted by a team-best 19 blocks 2021. Speidel will look to play a more prominent role in the offense, after registering 67 kills and 18 aces a season ago. Haralabatos turned in an impressive rookie season, building confidence as the season grew, she compiled 428 assists, 201 digs and a team-high 44 service aces. Newcomers, Gracie Dailey, Kailey Roche and Presley Shairs will compete for playing time and are expected to make an early impact.
COACH'S TAKE
"We will look for leadership from our captains, juniors Abby O'Connor and Ella Spiedel along with our sophomore setter Eva Haralabatos. Hopefully returners Bella Guarino, Dawn Eisnor will contribute defensively along with senior Charlotte Orth, who has been injured for the past couple of season. We will have some talented freshmen playing in primary offensive and defensive positions. Inevitably there will be a learning curve as we look to grow and improve as a unit throughout the season."
SEASON OPENER
Salem State opens the season @ Wheaton on Saturday, September 3 in a tri-meet with Emmanuel
2022 MASCAC Coaches Pre-Season Volleyball Poll