SELINSGROVE, PA - A new era for Susquehanna Women's Volleyball is set to begin in just a few days as the River Hawks head down the road to Lancaster for the Franklin & Marshall Tournament Friday and Saturday. Their three slated matches against Randolph Macon, the host Diplomats, and Lancaster Bible serve as the first matches for new head coach
Johnny Powell, who arrived in Selinsgrove just in time for spring ball last year after a successful run leading Harford Community College through several nationally-ranked seasons. Susquehanna boasted a 19-13 record in 2024 and 6-3 in the Landmark, good enough to earn hosting duties for the opening round of the conference tournament.
Like any season, the River Hawks have the challenge of replacing key talent, namely their two All-Landmark recipients last season in
Amanda Gore and
Emily Kowalski. Back with the program for their senior seasons include
Jessica Sack, who led the team last year playing in 119 sets as a libero and defensive specialist, while reaching the 1,000 career dig mark, now with 1,051 lifetime. Fellow DS
Regan Kane returns after punching in for 108 sets and ranking third on the team with 184 digs, along with 21 service aces.
Kyndall Mason, another defensive specialist in addition to outside hitting duties, took in 99 sets last season and 168 digs, along with sharing the load in receiving serves with 353.
Katelyn Dugery rounds out the graduating class. A three-year player for volleyball, the two-sport athlete from softball has worked her way up as a middle hitter and saw more action during her junior year.
The juniors are also poised to give the team a boost, including middle hitter
Emma Willow who played in 106 sets and racked up 136 kills with a .135 attack percentage, along with 62 total blocks to rank second on the team, including 16 solo. She also led the returning squad from last year starting in 28 matches. Another key role player will be
Callie Wince, with the South Dakotan administering 24 service aces and charting 115 digs over 78 sets played, an average of 1.47 digs per set.
Sami Kline is set to make a comeback season after sitting out the 2024 season due to injury. In her rookie campaign in 2023 she played in 105 sets and tallied 190 kills with an attack percentage of .260, along with 65.0 total blocks, including 49 solo.
