SELINSGROVE, PA (August 31, 2022) -- At the beginning of every season for every head coach, an assessment period is among the first tasks that is undertaken. Who is back? Who graduated? Who is ready to take the next step? These are the questions that every head coach must figure out through the preseason in anticipation of their first match of the year. Sometimes those questions are a little bit more cut and dry, and sometimes it takes a little more time to figure out. For Susquehanna University volleyball head coach Ku'uipo Tom, he has the enviable task of figuring out the answers to those questions though with the added luxury of coming off one of the best seasons in program history in 2021. 

"Every year you're going to find new faces, and not sure what to expect," said Tom. "You can't base this year's successes, failures, progresses on last year's. It's up to the upperclassmen to direct, guide and lead the younger players into our program. The toughest thing we face is getting people to get up to the tempo we run at, but once everyone is there we'll be fine."

SU was able to move all the way into the NCAA Tournament Regional Final in 2021, knocking off Maine Maritime and Bowdoin College before falling to regional host Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the Round of 16. There are a lot of pieces back from that NCAA run, including one of the best players in program history in Rosina Esposito. The now junior returns after posting a season where she earned American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Honorable Mention All-American, picking up Landmark Conference First Team accolades as well. Esposito was second in the Landmark in kills with 373 as well, and will be relied on once again for offense with the graduation of hitters Riley O'Dowd and Brooke LaCesa. 

Another strength from last year's team what will need to be shored up will be the net defense, as Paige Sfiroudis and LaCesa were first and third respectively in blocks in the conference but have moved on. The good thing is that now sophomore Amanda Gore along with graduate student Kody Dillon are back after both finishing in the top five in the Landmark in blocks per set. Dillon had a breakout season last year, earning All-Landmark Conference accolades for her efforts. 

There are plenty of players on the roster who are new to the team or that were here in 2021 and ready for an expanded role this fall. That prospect makes this season an exciting one for Tom, who is ready to see some players grow into new roles while newcomers try to take more opportunities for playing time. The expectations though for SU are the same as they have been since Tom took over back in 2003, and that is to continue a run of excellence that has seen eight-straight 20-win seasons including a 32-win campaign back in 2019. SU has also not lost more than one Landmark Conference match in a season since 2012. 

"There's excitement, trepidation...every year is new so it is really exciting to see where this team can go, but it is always very challenging in helping the team get there," said Tom. "If anyone knows me, they know culture is a big thing to me. The development of that culture is a slow process, so when you get new people in they're trying to figure it out. Part of it is organic, because of who we recruit, but some of it has to be taught and learned. It's a process but we should be OK." 

The River Hawks will be tested in 2022, taking on 10 teams that are ranked in the AVCA Top 25 Preseason Poll or receiving votes. Those challenges for SU, which is ranked No. 22 coming into 2022, will prepare it for a tough Landmark Conference slate. In September alone SU will battle three teams in the AVCA Top 15 including No. 8 Johns Hopkins University September 17, No. 11 New York University September 23 and No. 10 Tufts University September 24. 

"Philosophically it's always been my goal to pay the toughest teams," said Tom. "Sometimes you do well, but sometimes you learn a lot. It's a tough schedule, but we have some younger players in bigger roles so it'll be interesting to see how we fare against some of those higher level teams."

A breakdown of each position is below: 

HITTERS
The River Hawks main offensive threat this fall will come in the form of Esposito, who hit .227 a year ago while adding 29 service aces and 4.14 points per set. While O'Dowd and her 3.26 points per set and LaCesa's 194 kills are gone, Dillon is back after hitting .210 a year ago in the middle and posting 159 terminations. Dillon also contributed 26 service aces, with 86 total blocks. Gore had a stellar first year for Susquehanna and should see her role expand after finishing the season as a starter. Gore tallied a career-high seven kills in an NCAA win over Bowdoin, finishing with at least two blocks in 11 of her final 12 matches. 

The second outside hitter role has been up for grabs along with the right side hitter spots this fall, and the competition for swings has been fierce in preseason training. Sophomore Emily Kowalski played in only 14 sets a season ago, but has come back ready to snatch a starting role this season. Kowalski is athletic and is able to finish points with anyone in the conference and could be poised for a breakout season in 2022. Sophomore Ryan Rorls is another name to look out for, as she played in 44 sets last year but tallied 15 kills and 75 digs as she was more of a back row replacement. Her ability to play all the way around is also key for an outside, as she tallied 15 digs in a pair of matches as a first-year. 

Sophomore Brie Livezey has been working in on the right side this fall and has an ability to make contributions offensively and defensively. Livezey is a good blocker on the right, and will look to expand her role after playing in eight sets as a first-year. Junior Sam Michael and senior Faith Shaffer also played some front row in the preseason scrimmage against Lycoming College, while first-year Kyndall Mason is also an intriguing option at the net offensively. First-year Taylor Poelma is long and athletic and will look to get reps on the right side as well as working in as a setter this fall. 

SETTERS
Susquehanna returns its starting setter from its deep NCAA run, as Keira Roach came on late in the year and exploded for 45 assists in a win over Bowdoin while dishing out 34 helpers in the NCAA Regional final. Roach has exceptional hands and her ball placement and decision making are among the best in the Landmark. As only a sophomore, Roach's output will continue to grow as her role grows this season as well after handing out 241 helpers in 2021. 

First-year Megan Currie comes to Susquehanna after playing at Toms River East High School, having a decorated career as a Raider. Currie is athletic and has played some high level volleyball in her prep days. Poelma is another candidate to get some setting reps for SU, while another first-year player Regan Kane is working with the setters along with fighting for back-row work this season. 

BACK ROW
One of the biggest loses from last year's team is two-time All-American and Landmark Conference Specialist of the Year Lizzie Herestofa. Herestofa finished second all-time in digs as Susquehanna, holding down the libero spot for the majority of her time in the orange and maroon. SU also graduated Megan Nelson, who was a vital and key cog for SU in the back row, as she was third on the team in digs with 271 while chalking up only 20 receiving errors in 258 chances. 

It has been a battle to see who will move into the alternate jersey this season, but the options on the back row are plentiful for SU. Regardless of who holds the libero spot, the defensive depth in the back row will be on full display. Junior Maddy Kempski has staked her claim early in camp for an expanded role this year after playing in 18 sets last season, posting 20 digs last season. She has been battling it out with senior Lexie Kalligonis, who was a strong back row option last season as she posted 54 while coming in to serve as well. Senior Emily Kyle played 40 sets as well and finished with 1.53 digs per set, adding five service aces. 

First-year defensive specialist Jessica Sack had a strong prep career before coming to Susquehanna, and has already shown the ability in preseason to make an immediate impact. Sack reads plays well while her athleticism helps her keep plays alive as well. Shaffer will work into the back row rotation as well for SU, while Michael's role as do-it-all utility player will see her play all over the court including in the back row. Kane will also serve in a utility role this year, helping as a setter along with her more natural back-row position. 

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Susquehanna will get its season underway by hosting the 17th Annual River Hawk Classic this weekend, welcoming Chatham University, UMass Boston and Brockport to town for a two-day event starting Friday at 5 p.m. in the newly renovated O.W. Houts Gymnasium. 

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