COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Capital University volleyball team has begun their preparations for the 2023 season well, as the team just recently completed their preseason slate and will not turn their attention to their first weekend of competition this coming Friday at the Cedar Point Tournament hosted by Heidelberg University.
The program will be under the leadership of second-year head coach
Rosanna Sguerra. Sguerra's ambitions for the season will be to make steady improvements in the win column this season after the team concluded her first year with an overall record of 8-18.
THE ROAD AHEAD
Capital will open their season with four matches at the Cedar Point Tournament this coming weekend, playing Alma, Manchester, Saint Mary's and Kenyon. After that competition, Capital will return home for a week of four home matches. First, the Comets will host Ohio Wesleyan before hosting the Pam Briggs Classic on Friday and Saturday. There, Cap will play Bethany, Earlham and Hanover.
After the early-season eight matches, Capital will finish their non-conference schedule with DePauw, Bluffton, Olivet, Oberlin, Fontbonne, Millikin, Knox, and Denison.
Conference play will commence on September 29th as the Comets travel to Westerville for the Battle for the Oar. They will then finish out the conference schedule in order with Wilmington, Ohio Northern, Muskingum, Mount Union, Marietta, John Carroll, Heidelberg and Baldwin Wallace. The final regular season game will be a home match with BW on Saturday, October 28th.
RETURNING PIECES
Capital will welcome back many of their impact players from 2022 including OAC preseason players to watch,
Larissa Smith and
Abby Brunner. A season-ago, Smith carried the team's best hitting percentage, while Brunner led the team in digs and aces while being named All-Conference at the end of the year.
In 2022, Smith played in 25 matches and ended with 149 kills on a .220 clip. To go with her offense, Smith also swatted back 52 blocks including 18 solo blocks. Brunner finished her freshman year with 451 digs, 44 service aces and 77 assists.
Additional players who have contributed significantly to the team's offense in recent years that return this fall are
Lindsay Rich,
Alissa Holler,
Audrey James and
Ryann Bunyak. Rich concluded 2022 with a team-high 198 kills and also eclipsed 200 digs. Holler ended with 195 kills and an even 100 digs. James contributed 100 kills, while Bunyak added 87 kills in her debut season. Other returners that will be looking to impact the offense this year will be
Simone Daniel,
Mackenzie Halliday,
Delaney Conger,
Samaree Perkins and
Linden Kunick.
Capital will have one returning setter in the form of
Jordyn Hoffman. She will be supported by two incoming setters – a freshman and a sophomore transfer. In 2022, Hoffman dished out 291 assists while working in a two-setter rotation.
Back to support Brunner in the back row this season will be
Olivia Spillers and
Michaela Recker. Spillers came on late last season, contributing 34 digs, while Recker chipped in with 50 pick-ups.
Further support in the back row this season will come from returning players
Makenna Sullivan and
Haley Ernest. Neither Sullivan or Ernest have yet to make an appearance in previous seasons, but with the departure of some upperclassmen, time on the floor will certainly be up for grabs this season.
COACHING STAFF
Coach Sguerra returns for her second year with the program and will be aided on the sidelines by three assistant coaches.
Adam Bielby returns for his second season with the team as well, while two new faces join the ranks.
Lexi Hall is on board the coaching staff this season after a playing career at OAC-foe Muskingum University. Additionally, Chris McNeeley will assist the team on a volunteer basis this season.
