Volleyball 2016 Season Outlook
Aug 23 | Women's Volleyball
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (August 23, 2016) -- Entering the 2016 campaign, the Rutgers women's volleyball team is prepared to take on a challenging slate with a versatile roster and leadership of experienced returners. The Scarlet Knights welcome back seven letterwinners while adding five freshman and two transfers to the roster.
"We are more athletic than we have ever been. We have some serious athletes in the gym. We also have more volleyball experience and IQ than we have had in the past as well," said head coach CJ Werneke. "One of the impressive things we are noticing is how competitive this group is. We will have options this year at each position, more options than we have ever had."
Despite the graduation of six senior starters a year ago, the void in the roster has been filled with added athleticism and versatility and is a squad that Werneke says is not as young as the roster may suggest.
"We will be young is some spots, but we will also have two and three year starting returning players in spots as well. I think it's going to be a nice combination of returners and newcomers for us this year," said Werneke. "The returners are leading by example and are working hard wanting to show the new players how we do things, this is what it takes sort of thing. It's been great to see."
With depth in positions and experience on the squad, the Scarlet Knights are ready to embark on their third season in the Big Ten Conference.
CAPTAINS
The Scarlet Knights elected captains Mikaela Matthews, Lauren Cloyd, and Talia Holze to lead them through the 2016 campaign.
"They are all mature and experienced players, all have gone through two years in the Big Ten and they know what it's going to take to not only compete in the Big Ten but win in the Big Ten as well," said Werneke.
OUTSIDE HITTERS
Meme Fletcher returns to the group of outside hitters after leading the 2015 squad with 3.57 kills per set in 26 starts. Fletcher added 238 digs, 36 blocks and 14 aces to her stat line. Micaela Anderson joins as a returner to the spot after posting 47 kills across 28 sets a year ago.
Brooke Enners, a transfer from Rider, and Galia Nankin, an Israeli National Team member, round out the position.
MIDDLE BLOCKERS
On the cusp of breaking into the top 10 in career blocks, Mikaela Matthews leads the middle blocker contingent into 2016. Despite an early season injury sidelining her, Matthews put up 61 blocks and 85 kills across 18 games.
Then-freshman Tiaja McKnight added in 20 kills and 17 blocks in 2015. Freshman Jasmine Stackhouse brings depth to the role in her first season "On the Banks."
RIGHT SIDES
Lauren Cloyd returns to right side after finishing second on the team in kills (228) and blocks (88) a year ago. Classmate Cole Trimble looks to follow up a career season after posting career-high single season marks of 58 kills, 20 digs and 27 blocks. Freshman Jillian Duffin enhances the position at right side.
DEFENSIVE SPECIALISTS
Following the graduation of starters Ali Schroeter, Rutgers' all-time career digs record holder, and Ronnie Komisarek, newcomers Karysa Swackenberg and Phallynn Hill, a UNLV transfer, look to fill the void.
SETTERS
Under the leadership of Holze, Megan Sharkey adds her help to the setter position. Holze posted 87 assists in 10 games behind former Scarlet Knight Anna Sudbury's team-leading 914 assists.
SCHEDULE
Rutgers 2016 campaign consists of 33 matches comprised of four nonconference tournaments and 20 Big Ten matches. The opponents include seven top-25 opponents and 11 NCAA qualifiers, highlighted by the reigning NCAA Champion Nebraska.
The Scarlet Knights open the season with three straight road tournaments beginning with the Bryant Hampton Inn-vitational from Aug. 26-27. RU will face host Bryant, St. John's, Rider and Hartford. The season opens with St. John's at 11 a.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 26.
"We are excited to prove that we are getting better as a program that the Big Ten is making us tougher," said Werneke. "We can't wait to prove that to our preseason opponents, starting with St. John's!"
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