2013 Lion Volleyball Preview

McKeesport, Pa. - The Penn State Greater Allegheny's women's volleyball team is starting fresh this upcoming season by inviting six new student-athletes to join the four returning players from last year's successful outing.

The Lions will be adding new depth with their incoming players.  "Setter and outside hitter Adrielle Brisbon (Fort Washington, Md./Friendly) has the leadership qualities, focus and determination to get the GA offense going," said head coach Tracy Gibbs.  "Raven Gribbins (Cincinnati, Ohio/Oyler) joins the outside attack with returner Kayla Franklin (Redford Mich./Thurston).  Right side hitter Krystal Waller (Munhall, Pa./Steel Valley) will be a great asset to both offense and defense.  Brianna Audette (Coatesville, Pa./Coatesville) is going to bring a great deal of strength to the team with her strong and well-rounded fundamentals.  Defensive specialist Nicole Velasquez (Long Eddy, N.Y./Sullivan West) and returner Audra Besnak (Munhall, Pa./Steel Valley) will add strong initiative to the back row defense."

In the middle, strong returning athletes Alyssa Finocchi (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) and Christina Floyd (Philadelphia, Pa./St. John Neumann) will run the offense and defense at the net.

"We have a great balance of leadership and experience on the team this year," said Gibbs.  "We are really looking forward to steam-rolling the success from last season." 

All four returning student-athletes, Besnak, Finocchi, Floyd and Franklin, were huge contributors to the team's success in the 2012-13 season.  Coach Gibbs and her volleyball team went 12-15, 10-7 PSUAC in 2012-13.  Last season was the most successful for Greater Allegheny in program history, as the squad went on to make their first ever post-season appearance in the PSUAC Elite Eight.  The team was made up of two All-Conference athletes as well as seven players who received Academic All-Conference honors.

Greater Allegheny opens the season this weekend as they host the 2013 USCAA Tip-Off Classic in Elizabeth, Pa. Keep up with the team Friday and Saturday by checking updates on the webpage!