Tartans Volleyball Set for Start of Season
(PITTSBURGH, Pa.) – The Carnegie Mellon University volleyball team is set for the start of its season which begins Friday, August 29 at the Gettysburg College Battlefield Classic. The Tartans are coming off an NCAA postseason appearance in 2013 and have added seven to a roster that returns seven instrumental players.
"We had a strong week of preseason," said head coach Kim Kelly. "We still have work to do but I am really excited about the prospects for the new season."
Kelly, along with her two assistant coaches, Lauren London and Anne Bock, welcomed seven players to the roster which add depth to a solid returning class which includes one senior and six sophomores. Senior Ali Celentano (Mission Viejo, Calif./JSerra Catholic) is back to lead the attack after she accumulated her 1,000th career kill last season and was honored with an AVCA All-Region selection for the second year running.
Sophomore Jackie Gibbons (Evanston, Ill./Evanston Township), who hit .262 last year and led the team in blocks with 99, returns as a middle blocker along with sophomore Casey Salandra (Carol Steam, Ill./St. Francis) who tallied 72 blocks and 106 kills from her outside hitter position. Sophomore Emily Newton (Manhattan Beach, Calif./Chadwick School), who shared time at setter last season, is poised for her starting role as she averaged 5.86 assists a set in 58 sets played last season.
"We have a good nucleus of returners back who will be the leaders of this team," said Kelly. "Our first-year class has already brought a lot to the table and they will be true contributors to our success this season."
The Tartans open the season against Bridgewater State University and Gettysburg on Friday before facing Muhlenberg College and Gallaudet University on Saturday. The team's first home match is slated for Tuesday, September 9 at 7:00 p.m. against St. Vincent College.