Posted: Sep 06, 2011
Volleyball Heads to the NJCAA
Blue Bell, Pa. - This season the Montgomery County Community College Mustangs women's volleyball team will leave the Eastern Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference (EPCC) to compete in Region XIX of the National Junior College Athletic Assocation (NJCAA).
Head Coach Misti Volpe will return for her second year at the helm of the program, joined by assistant coaches Stephen Volpe, Megan Eiser and Stephanie Angelucci. Between them, the coaching staff has a staggering 45 years of experience. Misti Volpe is a native of Montgomery County, having played volleyball for Calvary Baptist School in Lansdale, Pa. and at NCAA DIII Eastern University in St. David's, Pa. Eiser, Angelucci and Stephen Volpe are also Montgomery County natives who participated in various high school, club and college programs throughout the area.
In the volleyball program's inaugural year, the team finished with an impressive 15-3 record and clinched the EPCC championship title. This year the team looks to have an equally impressive season in the significantly more competitive NJCAA. With talented returners and new comers, Volpe is confident the squad is ready for the challenge.
Coming back for a second season are key players for the Mustangs. Returning sophomore Brianna Musselman will lead the team offensively in the middle. Last season Musselman was named Offensive Player of the Year and landed spots on the EPCC All-Conference and Pennsylvania Collegiate Athletic Association All-State teams. Mel Angelucci, also a returning sophomore, will anchor the team's defense. In 2010 she was named Defensive Player of the Year, making the EPCC All-Conference and All-Tournament teams. Rounding out the returning crew is sophomore Sam Reeves, who is expected to continue to lead the team vocally, from the outside and defensively.
New to the squad this season are a group of dedicated and experienced athletes. Kaitlynn Franks, a freshman setter from RCS High School in New York, will run the helm of the program, feeding a strong offense. During her high school career, Franks earned First Team All-Conference three years in a row and was named Offensive Player of the Year in 2010. Nikki Reichert, joins the squad from Christopher Dock, where she was named Defensive Player of the Year two years in a row. She will run opposite the setter and will be an all-around contributor on the team, with great hands, court awareness and stand-out defensive skill.
As an opposite/middle option, Bethany Rendemonti will bolster the team with an imposing and intimidating block. Other middles bringing height and offensive aggression to the team will be Marina Weckner of Abigton (Third Team All-Conference in 2010) and Paulette Hamilton of Norristown. Outside hitters, adding all-around skill sets both offensively and defensively to the game, are Briana Rodriguez of Bishop McDevitt (Second Team All-Catholic in 2010) and Jenna Hayes of Souderton (Offensive Player of the Year in 2010). Defensive specialist Kelsey Kowalick of Souderton (Leadership Award Winner in 2010) will add to the defensive strength of the team, bringing heart and determination.
"This year is shaping up to look really strong," said Coach Misti Volpe. "We had more players tryout than last year, which means the program is growing. We will have more offensive options in our arsenal and defensively we will raise the bar as well. The team has already started to connect and flow as a unit, so it will be interesting to see how the season plays out."
This season, the volleyball team will concentrate its community services efforts on hunger awareness. At each home game, the Mustangs will sport green tie-dyed knee pads and shoelaces to raise awareness for the hunger relief cause, Manna on Main Street. At all home games, a collection box will be available for canned good donations, which will donated to Manna, a local soup kitchen and food cupboard in Lansdale, Pa.
The volleyball team's first home match will take place against Union County College on Tuesday September 13 at 7:00 p.m.
Head Coach Misti Volpe will return for her second year at the helm of the program, joined by assistant coaches Stephen Volpe, Megan Eiser and Stephanie Angelucci. Between them, the coaching staff has a staggering 45 years of experience. Misti Volpe is a native of Montgomery County, having played volleyball for Calvary Baptist School in Lansdale, Pa. and at NCAA DIII Eastern University in St. David's, Pa. Eiser, Angelucci and Stephen Volpe are also Montgomery County natives who participated in various high school, club and college programs throughout the area.
In the volleyball program's inaugural year, the team finished with an impressive 15-3 record and clinched the EPCC championship title. This year the team looks to have an equally impressive season in the significantly more competitive NJCAA. With talented returners and new comers, Volpe is confident the squad is ready for the challenge.
Coming back for a second season are key players for the Mustangs. Returning sophomore Brianna Musselman will lead the team offensively in the middle. Last season Musselman was named Offensive Player of the Year and landed spots on the EPCC All-Conference and Pennsylvania Collegiate Athletic Association All-State teams. Mel Angelucci, also a returning sophomore, will anchor the team's defense. In 2010 she was named Defensive Player of the Year, making the EPCC All-Conference and All-Tournament teams. Rounding out the returning crew is sophomore Sam Reeves, who is expected to continue to lead the team vocally, from the outside and defensively.
New to the squad this season are a group of dedicated and experienced athletes. Kaitlynn Franks, a freshman setter from RCS High School in New York, will run the helm of the program, feeding a strong offense. During her high school career, Franks earned First Team All-Conference three years in a row and was named Offensive Player of the Year in 2010. Nikki Reichert, joins the squad from Christopher Dock, where she was named Defensive Player of the Year two years in a row. She will run opposite the setter and will be an all-around contributor on the team, with great hands, court awareness and stand-out defensive skill.
As an opposite/middle option, Bethany Rendemonti will bolster the team with an imposing and intimidating block. Other middles bringing height and offensive aggression to the team will be Marina Weckner of Abigton (Third Team All-Conference in 2010) and Paulette Hamilton of Norristown. Outside hitters, adding all-around skill sets both offensively and defensively to the game, are Briana Rodriguez of Bishop McDevitt (Second Team All-Catholic in 2010) and Jenna Hayes of Souderton (Offensive Player of the Year in 2010). Defensive specialist Kelsey Kowalick of Souderton (Leadership Award Winner in 2010) will add to the defensive strength of the team, bringing heart and determination.
"This year is shaping up to look really strong," said Coach Misti Volpe. "We had more players tryout than last year, which means the program is growing. We will have more offensive options in our arsenal and defensively we will raise the bar as well. The team has already started to connect and flow as a unit, so it will be interesting to see how the season plays out."
This season, the volleyball team will concentrate its community services efforts on hunger awareness. At each home game, the Mustangs will sport green tie-dyed knee pads and shoelaces to raise awareness for the hunger relief cause, Manna on Main Street. At all home games, a collection box will be available for canned good donations, which will donated to Manna, a local soup kitchen and food cupboard in Lansdale, Pa.
The volleyball team's first home match will take place against Union County College on Tuesday September 13 at 7:00 p.m.