Friday, August 28th vs. Rider (10am); at Maryland-Eastern Shore (6pm)
at UMES Tournament
Match 1 vs. Rider: Watch Live | Live Stats | Match 2 vs. UMES: Watch Live | Live Stats
Season Preview Video
Twitter: @RiverHawkVB @RiverHawkNation Saturday, August 29th vs. Rider (10am); at Maryland-Eastern Shore (2pm)
at UMES Tournament
Match 1 vs. Rider: Watch Live | Live Stats | Match 2 vs. UMES: Watch Live | Live Stats
Twitter: @RiverHawkVB @RiverHawkNation The UMass Lowell Volleyball team enters 2015 with five returners from a year ago and seven new faces, as they open the season on Friday, August 28
th at the Maryland-Eastern Shore Tournament to officially kick off another season of River Hawk Volleyball.
The theme for the River Hawks season is "opportunity" and getting better every day as team, as the River Hawks look to improve on their four-win campaign last year. Head Coach
Resa Provanzano in her second season is looking to take the next step in the third year of the Division I transition.
"The main goal that we always talk about at practice is to improve every day and just keep getting better," said junior co-captain
Megan Young. "We have a lot of new players this year and it's really exciting. It's all going to be about working to incorporate them and get them used to our program."
The River Hawks play eight road matches and then open their home schedule on Friday, September 11
th hosting the UMass Lowell Tournament at Costello Athletic Center. UMass Lowell will entertain San Jose State, Holy Cross and Quinnipiac for a six-match volleyball showcase.
KEYS TO THE SEASON1.) Developing team chemistry with many new faces in important roles.
2.) Staying focused: remember that improving every day and every practice is the No. 1 priority on the court.
3.) Staying healthy: With a smaller roster the River Hawk have to take care of their bodies and will rely on the whole roster to contribute.
LEADERSHIPOn Sunday, August 23rd, Head Coach
Resa Provanzano announced that junior
Megan Young (Westlake Village, Calif.) and graduate student Rachel Arnason (Kelowna, B.C.) will serve as team captains for the River Hawks this coming season.
"Megan and Rachel are exactly who we need in leadership positions this year," said Provanzano.
"All of our upperclassmen do a really good job of taking on responsibility and helping to guide the newcomers," said Young. "But they are awesome and have really good heads on their shoulders and they work really hard. So it will be a good year for us."
SEVEN NEW FACESThe River Hawks welcome seven new faces, which includes five freshmen and two transfers. UMass Lowell lost four letterwinners from their 2014 squad.
PLAYERS TO WATCH"We have five returners coming in and they will all have to step up," said Provanzano.
"The most obvious position is the setting position, we have two new faces and it's a big important position as the quarterback of the offense. Getting them to connect with the hitters and seeing what kind of offense can work with our personnel. Both of them are going to have to come in and make an impact right away."
Defense
Malorie McIver and Lindsey Visvardis - Both players have had exceptional pre-seasons and will continue to push each other for the opportunity to anchor the River Hawks' defense. Regardless of who is in the libero jersey, the team expects to see both of them doing big things in the backrow.Â
Setters
Delaney Mendez and Alexa Toth - Mendez is a well-trained setter and has great accuracy in her location. She is starting to understand how the River Hawks want to run our offense. Alexa is a tremendous competitor, plays aggressive defense, and works extremely hard to make her hitters better. Provanzano is impressed with Delaney and Alexa's desire and work ethic to learn our system and connect with new hitters. Regardless of who is on the floor, the offense should be exciting to watch this season and expect the River Hawks to mix things up a bit.
Offensive WeaponsLade Adeniyi – Adeniyi is big and physical with the ability to terminate from anywhere on the net, as well as put up a huge block. You can expect to see her splitting time with our returners in the middle and on the right side.
Haley Shimon and Rachel Arnason both will be taking a lot of swings for the River Hawks on the outside. Haley is an aggressive attacker with a big armswing, while Rachel sees the court well and knows how to score.
THE OPPONENTSThe River Hawks play in five tournaments total in 2015, including four before the beginning of conference play. UMass Lowell opens America East Conference play on Friday, October 2nd vs. UMBC at Costello Athletic Center.
"We are looking forward to the schedule and a lot of opportunity for us to continue to grow as a program. There are some teams that we should match up well against and that will push us a little bit to prepare for America East. I am excited that we are able to get out and explore some different regions of the country for our players, but to see different programs and how they are doing things. We are going near several hometowns of current players so they will have fun with that I am sure."
