The two-time defending MAAC champion begins camp returning nine letterwinners, including a senior-laden squad led by reigning MAAC Setter of the Year Michelle James. Also returning is fellow senior and First Team All-Conference outside hitter Hannah Hedrick, All-Tournament Team member senior libero Sam Morgan, All-Conference junior middle blocker Amanda Wilken and MAAC Rookie of the Year right side Ellen Senf.
Niagara starts its season in Toledo, Ohio where it will play three matches as part of the Toledo Tournament starting on Friday, Aug. 26 versus Oakland at 5 p.m.
First-year head coach Chase Brooks starts his reign at the helm with a healthy mixture of youth and experience. Brooks, who comes to Niagara after four seasons at the top assistant coach at the University of Dayton, brought in nine Purple Eagles in his first recruiting class. The group will aim to mesh well with last year’s freshman class which consisted of All-MAAC rookie team member in defender Nick Garica. The team will be led by the scoring prowess of seniors Carl Haworth and Liam Gilbert who combined for 20 goals and 48 points in 18 games last season.
The Purple Eagles will play two exhibition games before heading to Pittsburgh to face Duquesne in their season opener on Friday, Aug. 26 at 7 p.m.
Niagara looks to improve on its 10-6-1 (5-4-0 MAAC) record last season and make a return to the conference tournament. The Purple Eagles return four of their top five points scores, which includes Grand Island, N.Y. native junior Jamie Raepple. Niagara will have strong senior leadership in Kathryn Potter, along with Jen and Laura Kimoto. Jen Kimoto was named to the Preseason All-MAAC Team and earned All-MAAC First Team honors last season.
NU will kick off the season at Robert Morris on Aug. 26 at 1 p.m.
Source:
No comments:
Post a Comment