Video: 2017 Women's Volleyball Season Preview
Written by Andrew Capitelli (SJC-LI Sports Information)
Patchogue, NY|Following a successful 2016 season which saw the team earn the third seed in the Skyline Conference Championship—and carry a 10-game winning streak into the conference semifinals—the St. Joseph's College (L.I.) women's volleyball team welcomes back on six returners for the 2017 campaign.
Now entering his 13th season as head coach, Tobey Pantophlet will lean on a returning contingent comprised of Keilly Estacuy (DS, Sr.), Jessica Monteserrato (S, Sr.), Jessica Nicholson (MH, So.), Danielle Senecal (LB, Jr.), Morgan Tiska (MH, Sr.) and Claire Urizzo (OH, Sr.) who'll be forced to mesh with seven incoming players.
Tiska and Urizzo will be tasked with fueling the offense after recording 167 and 141 kills, respectively, last season. Senecal—a Skyline All-Conference Second-Team selection in 2016—led the team in digs as a sophomore transfer and Monteserrato dished out 188 assists a year ago.
Pantophlet will look to freshman newcomers Brionna Silva (S), Kaitlin Williams (OH) and Jessica Young (MH) to all make an immediate impact on a team that has several holes to fill. Williams and Young will likely jump right into the squad's starting lineup.
Set to open the season at FDU-Florham on Saturday, September 9, the Golden Eagles were selected to finish third in the Skyline Conference Preseason Coaches Poll released on August 29.
Women's Volleyball Coaches Poll - Points
1. USMMA (6) - 96
2. Farmingdale State * (4) - 92
3. St. Joseph's-Long Island (1) - 82
4. Mount Saint Vincent - 69
5. Mount Saint Mary - 67
6. Maritime - 56
7. Sarah Lawrence - 45
8. St. Joseph's-Brooklyn - 41
9. Old Westbury - 27
10. Purchase - 20
11. Yeshiva – 10
First-place votes in parentheses
*Defending champion
