PREVIEW: Women's Volleyball kicks off 2024 at Shaw Tournament

SALISBURY, N.C. – The Catawba College women's volleyball program begins its 2024 campaign this weekend (Sep. 6-7) at the Shaw Tournament.

Catawba is coming off a 12-11 campaign, its first winning season since 2016 and best under Director of Volleyball and Head Women's Volleyball Coach Brenn Ferguson. The squad takes on Mount Olive and host Shaw on Friday before lining up against Barton and Fort Valley State on Saturday inside C.C. Spaulding Gym.

Preseason Nods

- The South Atlantic Conference's coaches ranked Catawba sixth of 13 teams, projecting another playoff appearance.

- 2023 Second Team All-SAC performer Riley Hill retained the same position on the Preseason All-Conference list.

- Senior opposite hitter Jordan Danielson joined Hill on the Second Team as junior outside hitter Kelcie Love earned a Third Team selection.

Back in the 'Bury

- Sophomore Riley Hill looks to improve upon her strong rookie mark of 424 digs as one of the region's most promising liberos. 

- Jordan Danielson aims to continue punishing defenses at the net after landing 192 kills in 2023. Alongside sister Chloe Danielson, the pair combined for 88 total blocks last season.

- Outside hitters Kelcie Love and Katrina Misra are expected to remain dependable offensive weapons following a campaign in which their stats on swings were nearly identical.

- In addition to the elder Danielson, seniors Rachel Gonzales, Kary Hales, Caitlyn Cindrich, Natalie Rehm, and Riannel Arevalo are eager to start the year on the right foot as they chase hardware for one last time.

New Kids on the Block

- The Catawba roster features eight newcomers including a few that are expected to make immediate impacts this season.

- With the departures of two setters, Midwestern State transfer Haley Moffett and freshman Sydney McCutcheon will vie for the position this fall. One of the most decorated members of the freshman class, McCutcheon set school records in aces (265) and assists (2,936) at Jackson County High School in Georgia.

- Redshirt sophomore Sydney Wattles arrived in Salisbury after an impressive season at NAIA institution Keiser. The Winter Springs, Fla. product accumulated 324 kills on a .319 hitting percentage while adding 57 aces and 102 blocks, leading the conference in both categories, to snare AVCA All-Region Honorable Mention and First Team All-Sun recognition.

All-Time Series

- Against Mount Olive, the Catawba Indians are 4-1 with the last meeting in 2021 going to the Trojans, 3-2, after they suffered a four-match losing streak. The teams' history goes back to 1988 and includes two straight-set Catawba wins.

- Catawba is 6-0 when matching up with Shaw, but have not faced the Bears since 2000. The navy and white boast a firm 18-1 score differential in the series.

- Of the 21 matches played between Catawba and Barton, most occurred when the Bulldogs went by Atlantic Christian. The Catawba Indians have a 13-8 advantage although Barton won the last meeting in straight-set fashion in 2018.

- Saturday will mark Catawba's first-ever encounter with Fort Valley State.

Scouting the Trojans

- Catawba starts its campaign against Conference Carolinas member Mount Olive, a squad that finished 20-11 a season ago. Most of the Trojan starting lineup returns with six newcomers entering the fold.

- Karoline Cox is back after posting a conference-best .378 hitting percentage while adding 64 blocks and 54 service aces. Fellow senior Ashlyn Stone will also be a key offensive piece after notching 334 kills as a junior.

Scouting the Bears

- Tournament host Shaw comes into 2024 after recording a program-record 31 wins and a perfect 18-0 conference tally last year. 

- Players to watch will be Preseason All-CIAA selections Nayara Pereira, Kamille Patrick, Hailey Hopkins, and Lillian Carlson. Head coach Jonathan Paulk embarks on his fifth season at the helm after garnering AVCA Atlantic Region and CIAA Coach of the Year accolades.

Scouting the Bulldogs

- Barton is the second Conference Carolinas foe Catawba will face this weekend, but it will be the Bulldogs' season opener. The team went 10-18 last year and hopes to improve in Barton alum Riley Casner's second campaign as head coach.

- The program has three returning starters in outside hitters Henly Sleight and Lauryn Pitt as well as middle blocker Aubree Schrubb who logged a team-high 20 solo blocks.

Scouting the Wildcats

- After recording its first double-digit win total since 2008 with 11 victories last fall, Fort Valley State is under new leadership as Chymaine Guinyard takes the reins following five years at Claflin.

- FVSU returns eight from the 2023 squad including Raven Edwards who received All-SIAC honors two seasons ago and collected 91 kills in 50 sets last year. Laiani McCullough and Brooke Matthews led the team with 49 blocks as McCullough also paced the Wildcats with 603 assists.

Weekend Slate

Friday, Sep. 5

vs. Mount Olive, noon

vs. Shaw, 6 p.m.

Saturday, Sep. 7

vs. Barton, noon

vs. Fort Valley State, 2 p.m.