Volleyball enters season with high expectations after record setting 2015 campaign
Season Preview Video with Coach Beckwith
North Adams, MA- To say the 2015 Volleyball team set a high standard at MCLA would be a dramatic understatement. Last season, the Trailblazers set a program record for wins (24), clinched their first ever MASCAC regular season title, and hosted both the MASCAC and ECAC New England Championships. While those feats will be hard to match, the Trailblazers will open their 2016 season on Thursday with undoubtedly high expectations.
MCLA, under the direction of head coach Amanda Beckwith, opens play at Eastern Connecticut Thursday night. The program returns a host of key contributors as they look to repeat the successes from a year ago and add some new accolades along the way.
Beckwith was full of optimism when asked about her upcoming season, mainly due to the fact that All New England selection Allison Clark returns to spearhead the roster. Clark set a school record for kills last season and was asked to do just about everything. She led the MASCAC in kills with 470 and notched 363 digs. Clark is a very versatile player and Coach Beckwith wasn't shy when asked what to expect from Clark in 2016.
"I hope you'll see the same player from 2015, plus a bit more from Allison as a senior," Beckwith said. "She came into preseason very fit and seems poised to have another tremendous season."
While Clark will be the focal point of opposing teams, the Trailblazers have some other talented front line players that should free up Clark on the attack. Joining her up front will be Middle Blocker Samantha Anderson. Anderson, who was named captain for the 2016 team, led the conference in blocks per set last year and should be a force in the middle.
Joining Clark on the attack will be a pair of juniors in Maggie Allen and Bri O'Rourke. Allen was second on the team last season with 225 kills and has progressed nicely into her junior season. O'Rourke missed all of last season due to injury, but played a pivotal role as a freshman in 2014.
Setting up the attackers for MCLA will be Beatrice Lechler. The sophomore collected 436 assists last season and should be the primary setter in 2016. Taylor Wiese could also see time in this role.
Defensively for MCLA, Chanielle Enomoto returns to anchor the defense as she led the team with 467 digs last year.
MCLA has a much more difficult non league slate in 2016 as they will challenge the likes of Eastern Connecticut, Keene State, Williams, Kean (NJ), and Anna Maria just to name a few. In a scheduling oddity, the home opener for MCLA is also the MASCAC opener. On Tuesday, September 13th the Trailblazers will host the Westfield State Owls.
In all, the Trailblazers have a 30 game slate before heading into postseason play. The MASCAC championships are scheduled for Saturday, November 5th.