McKeesport, PA. – With the season a little over a month away, the Penn State Greater Allegheny Volleyball team released their 2018 season schedule. It features nine home dates inside the Wunderly Gymnasium featuring exciting non-conference action and rivalry matches against Penn State Beaver and Penn State Fayette.
After heading to the Penn State Beaver tournament to start the season on August 31st and September 1st, they come back for three games in a row to open up their home schedule. It all starts with a matchup against Point Park on September 7th at 7 p.m. followed by their Penn State University Athletic Conference opener on September 8th against Penn State Mont Alto.
Their home conference schedule will see them take on Penn State Mont Alto, Penn State DuBois, Penn State Fayette, Penn State Beaver, and Penn State New Kensington. They round out their home schedule with three non-conference matchups against Kent State Tuscarawas on September 14th, Butler County Community College on October 5th, and Westmoreland County Community College on October 15th.
After going 8-13 and 6-10 in conference play a year ago, the PSUGA Volleyball team is coming back with four returners and a group of nine newcomers to help PSUGA compete for a PSUAC Championship. Among the returners is Sophomore Kaylee Holtzman who was second on the team in kills (48), total attacks (147), and points (60).
Joining the newcomers are a group of nine freshman who are all looking to be impact players this season. Second year head coach Alyssa Finocchi is excited about the opportunity to bring in so many recruits and looks forward to what they will bring to the table this season.
“I am very excited about this upcoming season,” said Finocchi. “With only 4 returners from last year, we are welcoming 9 new girls this year! The idea of a fresh start and a young team is exciting because I will get the chance to watch them all transform from individuals to a team. I am also welcoming a new coaching staff, we have high expectations for this season and will run on a give 110% philosophy. This is a great group of girls coming in and I can't wait to get started.”
The PSUGA Volleyball season gets started on August 31st when they head to the Penn State Beaver to take on Carlow at 3:30 p.m. and the University of Maine at Fort Kent at 8 p.m. For a full look at the 2018 Volleyball schedule click here.