Preseason Video Interviews

ELMIRA, N.Y. -- The Elmira College women's volleyball program is set to kick-off its 2018 campaign on Friday, September 7, and Saturday, September 8, with four matches at the Granite State Challenge, hosted by Keene State. The Soaring Eagles will battle New England College at 4:00 p.m. in their season-opener on Friday afternoon, before taking on Plymouth State at 7:00 p.m.

The Purple and Gold rebounded from a tough 2016 campaign last season by posting a 20-13 overall record. In her 31st season at the helm of the EC women's volleyball program, Head Coach Rhonda Faunce, who ranks 13th among active coaches in Division III with 602 career victories, has her sights set on qualifying for the Empire 8 Conference Tournament after narrowly missing out on postseason play in 2017. Faunce returns a veteran-laden squad that she believes can build off of last season's successes and reach the conference tournament for the first time since 2015.

"We want to continue where we left off last season," Faunce said. "We have a tougher schedule this season, but I believe we have a good group that can handle the challenge and get us to where we want to be."

Elmira boasts a roster that features 14 returners from a year ago, including eight student-athletes from the Class of 2019, two from the Class of 2020, and four from the Class of 2021. Among EC's seniors are Natalie Schieder '19, Taylor Kaznowski '19, and Rachel Katzenberger '19, who were elected captains heading into their fourth and final collegiate seasons. With the addition of three newcomers, the Soaring Eagles have a deep and talented squad that knows what to expect from competition in the Empire 8. 

"This group of seniors really proved last season that they can handle whatever is thrown at them in a match," Faunce said. "We had a lot of five-set matches last year, and the group really stepped up and put us in positions to be able to win late. That's the goal, make it to the end and be in a position to win."

Setters
EC will carry two setters on the roster this season, headlined by Taylor Kaznowski '19. The fourth-year standout is coming off of a junior campaign that saw her post career highs in both assists (1,036) and assists per set (8.93). Both of those marks had the Hamburg, New York, native ranked second in the E8, and she will be aiming to duplicate that performance while acting as the team's offensive fulcrum and vocal leader on the court.

"Taylor has really stepped up to the plate as a leader on and off the court," Faunce added. "She loves to play the game and is excited to get to the gym every day. Taylor's quick and really just glides to the ball, and she's what makes our offense tick."

Joining Kaznowski is sophomore Kassi Hastings '21. After appearing in 15 matches a year ago, Hastings will continue to provide depth and added versatility for Faunce this season, while offering the option to play a two-setter rotation depending on the opponent.

Libero-Defensive Specialist
EC's back row is in good hands once again this season with the return of seniors Kasey Campbell '19 and Rachel Katzenberger '19. Campbell emerged as the Purple and Gold's lead libero as a junior, recording a career-high 402 digs, while adding 51 service aces to finish third on the team. Katzenberger contributed her fair share on the defensive side of the ball, ranking fourth with 292 digs last season. The duo will continue to provide a steady defensive presence for the Purple and Gold this season.

Olivia Harnois '19 and Cassie Potter '20 return as well to provide a stable of defensive options for Faunce to deploy and exploit different matchups in 2018.

Middle Blocker
The Purple and Gold return two middle blockers after the graduation of the lone senior from last season, Courtney VanBuren '18, as Karina Hastings '19 and Savannah Terry '21 will both be vying for the starting gig come September 7.  Terry proved to be a force at the net as a freshman, leading the team in blocks with 51 to go along with 149 kills. Hastings posted a career-best 99 kills in 2017 while appearing in all 33 matches. Both players bring different looks to the front of the net, giving the Soaring Eagles a solid one-two punch in the middle.

In addition to Hastings and Terry, newcomers Kaylene Sauschuck '22 and Sam Sprague '22 add length and depth at the net in 2018. The freshman duo has received rave reviews from Faunce and the coaching staff in the preseason, thanks to their athleticism and mile-wide wingspans.

"Having a kid who is that long and that lean allows you to do different things in the middle," said Faunce of Sauschuck and Sprague. "They're able to get to balls that we haven't been able to just because of their length."

Outside Hitter
The Soaring Eagles' outside hitter rotation will bear a striking resemblance to last season with the return of Natalie Schieder '19 and Tiara John '19. Scheider had another stellar season for EC in 2017, flooring an Empire 8-leading 502 kills – seventh-most in Division III – to finish with a per-set average of 4.15. The Alden, New York, native collected her third consecutive E8 All-Conference award with a first-team nod as a junior. Heading into her senior campaign, Scheider is already etched in the Elmira record books, as she currently ranks ninth in career kills (1,140), and is one of just seven players to surpass 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs.

"I expect Natalie to continue to be our go-to option on offense this year," Faunce said. "We knew she was going to be a special kind of player as a freshman and she's proven that. We want to have more balance on offense, but we'll continue to get her touches and have her run our attack as a senior."

John enters her second season with the Purple and Gold, after transferring from Chandler-Gilbert Community College last fall. The Kayenta, Arizona, native impressed in her first go-round, tallying 251 kills and 284 digs. According to Faunce, John's performance during the preseason has been even better, and she's looking for big things from the 5-foot-9-inch senior.

Adding depth and flexibility behind the senior duo are sophomores Lauren Smith '21 and Lydia Milligan '21. Smith appeared in all 33 matches during an exceptional rookie season, in which she finished third on the team with 217 kills. With a year of competition under their belts, the underclassmen will add even more versatility to the Purple and Gold's high-octane offense.

Joining the outside hitter rotation is freshman Kelsey Lofvenborg '22. A well-decorated student-athlete from Gananda High School in Walworth, New York, Lofvenborg has been described as a solid all-around player who can be featured in multiple spots on the court. She was twice crowned Wayne Country Player of the Year and garnered All-New York State honors as a senior.

Right Side
There will be a competition for playing time on the right side once again this fall. In the rotation with John and Sprague are junior Sabrina Didas '20 and senior Sam Chadbourne '19. Both will look to make contributions on the court in 2018, after seeing limited time last season. With Chadbourne measuring at 6-foot-2 inches and Didas at 5-foot-10-inches, both players add significant height to the Soaring Eagles' approach at the net, providing Faunce with additional options on the front line this season.

Season Opener
The Soaring Eagles open on the road for the second-straight season, as they head to the Granite State Challenge in Keene, New Hampshire, this weekend. The tournament begins the first-ever matchup against New England College, before taking on Plymouth State for the first time since 2007 in the nightcap. Elmira will be challenged from the get-go in 2018, as New England reached the semifinals of the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) Tournament in its inaugural season of varsity volleyball, while Plymouth State was a semifinalist in the competitive Little East Conference a year ago.

Although the Granite State Challenge will serve as EC's season-opener, both the Pilgrims and Panthers enter the weekend having played a handful of matches. New England rebounded from an 0-2 start with back-to-back wins over Fitchburg State and Northern Vermont-Lyndon on Saturday, September 1. Meanwhile, Plymouth State won three of its first four matches, including bouts with Empire 8 foes Sage and Utica at the Best Western Plus-Ground Round Cardinal Classic in Plattsburgh, New York, last weekend.