POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (August 30, 2017) – The Vassar College women's volleyball team had a season to remember in 2016, earning the Liberty League regular season title en route to 21 overall victories. The regular season crown came with the duty of hosting the Liberty League playoffs, but the Brewers were unable to come away with their eight conference championship in program history.
 
The memory has continued to play in the heads of the returning members of the 2016 team, a squad that this year has more experience than in past seasons. "We're not really a young group anymore, which is different than in year's past," said head coach Jonathan Penn, now in his 22^nd season as the head coach. "Having such a strong junior class and our large sophomore class with a year under their belts, we're off to a strong start."
 
As with many teams under the direction of Penn, the 2017 women's volleyball squad wants to focus on the process of getting to the end goal more than the goal itself. "Practices have been really competitive, pushing ourselves each day to be the best player we can be," said senior Sophia Tiajoloff.
 
The 2016 team was one that saw plenty of individual awards, as three players including juniors Annie MacMillan and Devan Gallagher, along with now-sophomore Jane McLeod were All-Liberty League First Team honorees. McLeod earned conference and AVCA Region Rookie of the Year honors, while Gallagher proceeded McLeod in 2015 as the Liberty League best newcomer. Gallagher though was quick to mention that the trio is ready to step up again.
 
"In terms of awards, we had a great season but I think all three of us want to step up, both on the court and off the court," said Gallagher. What is unknown right now is how the Brewers will replace three starters from last year, as four-year starter Gabby Miller is gone along with Alex Sams, Sarah Roberts and starting libero Sierra Tobin.
 
"I think our strength is going to be our flexibility," said Penn. "We have a lot of people that can do a lot of things…it's giving us a lot of options, but also a lot of potential to do some things. That versatility and flexibility through the lineup will allow Penn to shift his team throughout matches, sets and even points to create advantages.
 
As always, serve receive and offensive efficiency will be key, but Vassar has the look of a team that is ready to take the next step. "We lost in the Liberty League Championship last year, we have kind of had that hunger for that title," said Tiajoloff. "It's made everyone be a little bit more detail-oriented going into the year."
 
HITTERS   
The Brewers had one of their best offensive seasons in recent history in 2016, as VC was the Liberty League-leader in hitting percentage in 2016 with a .218 mark. Vassar led the conference in kills per set as well with 12.34, and was the best serving squad in the Liberty League last year with 2.43 aces per game.
 
As mentioned before, the Brewers return their two biggest weapons from last year in Gallagher and McLeod. Neither was on the floor all the way around last year, but that didn't stop them from putting up huge numbers. McLeod finished with 394 kills last season, averaging a team-best 3.65 kills on a .285 hitting percentage.
 
McLeod also was very strong throughout the season, as she didn't wear down and actually got better throughout the season. McLeod had 22 kills three times last year, with two of those coming in the final three matches of the year. With McLeod looking to get more backrow attempts this year, look for her numbers to once again be strong.
 
The same will be the case with Gallagher, as she looks to hit from all over the court in 2017. The junior came back to campus this fall in amazing shape, and along with her leadership skills, look for another great year after she hit .303 in 2016 with a team-best 401 terminations. She also was third on the team with 48 blocks en route to an AVCA All-Region Second Team honor.
 
Senior Bria Corham also returns after having a big impact the last couple of seasons on the right side. Corham is very athletic, has great volleyball sense and will be looked upon to be another big stick offensively. As a junior, Corham finished with 120 kills on nearly 400 swings, starting in 26 of the team's 31 matches. She also was strong at the net with 27 total blocks.
 
Vassar returns a big hitting sophomore class, which provides a lot of competition and options. Colette Cambey started nine times last year as a freshman, and was great at the net as she led the team in blocks per set with 0.69. She also posted 30 kills on 102 attempts, and could get a crack at a bigger role this season.
 
Fellow sophomore Emily Overman played in 12 matches with one start last year, and showed signs at times, hitting .222 with 14 kills in 36 swings. She also is long and jumps well blocking, averaging 0.56 blocks a set, which was second-highest behind Cambey.
 
Another sophomore has been making waves this preseason, as Jennifer Kerbs came back looking ready to make a big impact. The 5-11 hitter from Sacramento, CA trained hard this summer with MacMillan in Colorado, and the hard work is paying off now. Kerbs played in just nine sets last season, but will look for more substantial time in 2017.
 
Junior Lydia Bailey is in her third season with the Brewers, and she has passed well as a hitter this preseason. Bailey played in six sets last season, posting four kills. The Brewers brought in one hitter this year, as freshman Lena Stevens has joined the fray. Just 5-4, the newcomer doesn't play to her height as she has posted over a 30" vertical through training. Stevens possesses a strong swing, and her athleticism could earn her playing time this season.
 
Junior Lauren Ninkovich is another name to watch out for this year for Vassar. As possibly the most versatile player on the team, Ninkovich can play everywhere on the court, and just makes too many plays not to be on the court. The coaching staff has raved about her passing ability, and how her presence has made everyone around her better. Look for Ninkovich to play back row, but also get rotations hitting up front.
 
Directing the offensive unit this year will be 2016 Honorable Mention All-American setter Annie MacMillan. Chalking up 10.02 helpers per set last year, MacMillan was great in her sophomore campaign. She also was the league's leader in aces per set, finishing with 0.50 per game. Her solid size and hands will continue to be huge for the Brewers.
 
VC gets Tiajoloff back as well as a setter, as she was abroad during last year's season. The energetic leader is a very good defensive player due to her 5-9 frame, but has all the sets in her bag and brings a competitiveness you like to see in a setter. Both Tiajoloff and MacMillan will have big roles for VC this season.
 
BACKROW
The Brewers was solid last year in serve receive, and that looks to continue this year, though the libero shirt will be one someone different for the third consecutive season. Vassar passed at a .915 clip last year, and return a solid core of that group.
 
Sophomore Jorden Schreeder was an important back row player for VC, getting into all 31 games while starting 10 times as a server or defensive specialist. She posted 235 digs last year, while also finishing with 41 service aces and a passing rate of 91.7 percent.
 
Ninkovich will also play in passing situations for Vassar as well, as she finished the year with 169 digs and a .908 receiving percentage. The pairing of Ninkovich and Schreeder, along with an underrated defensive player in McLeod will be a strong unit for VC. Gallagher could play all the way around this year too as a junior, and acquitted herself nicely as a sophomore with 88 digs and a .931 service receive rate.
 
The Brewers also picked another back row option in freshman Anna Zucchero, and she has been strong in the preseason. The 5-6 Newton, MA native moves well, is confident on the floor and passes well to keep the offensive unit on time. Look for Zucchero to play a substantial amount as a passer for the Brewers in 2017.
 
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The Brewers will start their season at the 2017 Cortland Red Dragon Classic this upcoming weekend, taking on Lebanon Valley College Friday, September 1 at 5 p.m. to start the season. Later that evening, VC battled No. 13 Juniata College, before finishing action Saturday against Coast Guard Academy and the University of Rochester.