Aug. 31, 2007

Garden City, N.Y. - The Adelphi volleyball team will travel to Indiana University (PA) to open the 2007 season at the Indiana University tournament. The Panthers open competition on August 31 against Indiana and will follow that contest with a match against Salem International.

For the second time in as many seasons the Panthers will open the season with a new face on the sidelines. Danielle MacKnight, who spent the last two seasons as an assistant on the Adelphi staff, will take over the reigns from Chriss Mazzarella. Mazzarella led the Panthers to a 14-13 record in 2006 and a trip to the East Coast Athletic Conference (ECAC) tournament.

MacKnight inherits a team that placed fifth in the East Coast Conference (ECC) last fall with a mark of 5-4. Adelphi was also very successful on their home floor in 2006, posting a mark of 8-1. "I'm looking to come in and change the culture of the program and establish Adelphi as one of the premier teams in the ECC," MacKnight said. "I'm very anxious to get started and optimistic that we can build on the success of last fall."

William Corrao will join MacKnights staff as an assistant coach, it will be his first season at Adelphi. "Billy and I have previously worked together at the Academy Club and he is a great addition to the staff," MacKnight said. "His primary responsibilities will be working with setters and liberos as well as recruiting."

Adelphi returns nine of 15 players from a year ago, including two all-conference performers in senior Lauren Flanagan and junior Samantha Johnston. Flanagan was a second-team all-conference performer, while Johnston earned honorable mention accolades.

"The return of so many players should make our goals for the 2007 season that much more attainable," MacKnight stated. "I'm looking to post a record above .500 and to finish among the top-three teams in the conference."

Helping the Panthers accomplish those goals will be the team's primary setter, graduate student Brittany Addeo. Addeo led Adelphi in assists last season with 897 and was also tops in service aces with 58. "I'm expecting big things from Brittany. She is the most experienced member of the team and will be a leader for us this fall."

Lauren Flanagan was an All-ECC selection a year ago.

Seniors outside hitter, Kathleen Creegan, and middle blocker, Flanagan, will also be leaned on heavily this season. Flanagan and Creegan were first (224) and third (160) respectively on the team in kills last season, while Flanagan was tops in total blocks (67) and Creegan was fourth in digs with 167.

"Creegan will be a "go to" player this season on the outside, and we are looking for leadership from Lauren," MacKnight explained. "We also need Lauren to remain a dominating force in the middle."

Juniors Johnston, Jessica Walsh and transfer Kathleen Carney will contribute to Adelphi's success all over the court. Johnston, who led the Panthers with 304 digs last season, will see time at almost every position on the floor while Walsh, who totaled 57 digs and 53 kills (in 2007) and will see action as an outside hitter and a defensive specialist.

"Samantha has already taken on a leadership role, and being our best all-around athlete, we expect her to be a building block for our success this fall," MacKnight said. "Jessica will contribute both offensively and defensively, while we expect Carney to be an immediate contributor in the front row."

Adelphi's sophomore class is four deep and will be looked upon to build on their 2006 season, led by opposite Audrey Goss, who was fourth on the team in kills (151) and libero Amy Williams who was fifth in digs with 145. Outside hitter Anna Gabbard and middle blocker Kelsey Hackett chipped in a combined 126 kills, 160 digs and 53 blocks.

"We need Audrey to be very versatile this season, while Amy will be our anchor defensively due to her tremendous digging and passing ability," MacKnight said. "Anna will play a large role in what we do from the back row, while we are hoping for a break out year in the middle from Kelsey."

This year's incoming class consists of Carney, setter, Heather Mau, and sophomore outside hitter, Jennifer McKenna. "Heather is probably a year away from being a major contributor to the program, but with hard work and dedication she can become a huge piece of the puzzle in the upcoming years," MacKnight stated. "Jennifer is a steady role player and will continue to improve as she learns the system."

Brittany Addeo will be a key to Adelphi's success in 2007.

Schedule As always, the Panthers non-conference schedule is difficult with quite a few tournaments and invitationals on the slate. Adelphi opens the season with an opening season tournament at the Indiana (PA) tournament and follow that with trips to Millersville and LeMoyne for tournaments.

Adelphi will open their ECC schedule on September 20 at C.W. Post. "Our early conference schedule is tough, starting with a difficult four game stretch that features C.W. Post, Queens, NYIT and Dowling," MacKnight said. "How we fair in those games should be a pretty good early indicator of where we stand in the ECC."

The Panthers will close out the conference schedule against Mercy on October 30 and wrap-up the regular season with games against Southern Connecticut State University and Bentley on November 3.