WILKES-BARRE (August 29, 2019) -- Under the direction of head coach Bernie Kachinko, the young Monarch team is prepared to begin the 2019 season. After starting their careers at King's College last season, the 13 freshmen have moved into leadership and more consistent contribution roles for this upcoming season as sophomores.
 
"We're just taking it one day at a time as we always do and trying to get better,"  said Kachinko. "Now the freshmen have turned into sophomores and coupled with the freshmen we have coming in we are going to be a younger team, but not new to the game of volleyball. We're just excited to get going and see what this team can do. They have had great success, so hopefully we can take another big step forward and get into the playoffs, get 20-plus wins, and do it with a different group of kids."
 
The addition of three new freshmen and another sophomore adds to the depth and youth of the team, coming off their fourth straight 20-win season. Despite just missing the conference playoffs last season, the Monarchs have more experience and are determined to reach the playoffs
 
One strong point that the Monarchs are looking to capitalize on this season is their solid returning defense. With four of the top five statistical leaders in digs returning, there is no shortage of defensive power for this young Monarch team.
 
"Our defense has always been solid, but now we're just working on progressing our hitters and getting that offense in there to support our defense and get more points to win games," said sophomore Cleo Schultz.
 
There is also no shortage of offensive power or depth in the outside hitter, opposite hitter, and middle hitter rotation. The Monarchs bring back a balanced offensive attack even after losing Rachel Miller as the sophomores and new freshmen are preparing to be more solid contributors.

Offense
 
Returning for the offense are some solid performers who now all have collegiate experience on their resumes. Sophomore setter Wiatt Hoffmann returns after earning MAC Freedom Honorable Mention honors, leading the team in assists (929) and assists per set (8.85) and ranking second in service aces (29). She also ended the season sixth in the conference in total assists.
 
Also looking to help aid in the assists this season is freshmen Caitlyn Pepper. Pepper joins the Monarchs as the reigning Small School Player of the Year and coming off a high school career at Canton High School where she recorded over 1,000 assists.
 
Sophomore opposite hitter Becca Goldberg finished behind Miller in kills (191) and kills per set (2.25), and ranked third in blocks (22) and fourth in hitting percentage (0.171). Sophomore middle hitter Danielle Kitchner led the team in blocks (37), was second in hitting percentage (0.207), and ended fourth in kills (99). To round out the front line is sophomore outside hitter Christie Brown who finished fifth in her freshman campaign in kills (82) and hitting percentage (0.164).
 
Also returning for the Monarchs are sophomores Meg O'Brien, Sarah Hayward, and Schultz. All three saw some action last season, and now they are prepared to join the rotation and contribute to the offensive production.
 
To add to the offensive depth chart are freshmen outside hitters Marta Pawka and Kayla Sondberg. Pawka was named team captain and team MVP as a senior at Donovan Catholic High School, and Sondberg helped lead Washington Township High School to the Olympic Conference Championship, state appearances, and the Gloucester County Championship.
 
 
Defense
 
As previously mentioned, this Monarchs defense is expected to be stronger than last year. The team is coming off a 2019 season where they collectively finished fourth in the conference in average digs per set with 16.57.
 
Sophomore libero Taylor Mueller, the other returning MAC Freedom All Conference honoree, is set to lead the defense. Mueller led the team in digs (508), as well as ranking second overall in the conference in digs to earn her postseason award.
 
Returning alongside Mueller on the back line will be sophomores Grace Frati and Toni Galasso. Frati finished fourth on the team in digs with 200, and Galasso ranked fifth with 169. Additionally, sophomores Kait Roberts and Karissa Hartzell will look to add to the depth for this strong defense.
 
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The Monarchs open the 2019 season tomorrow at home as they host the Ravens of Rosemont College and the Nittany Lions of Penn State Abington in a trimatch at 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm, respectively. They hit the road for the next four matches, playing at Clarks Summit University on September 4, competing in a trimatch at Gwynedd Mercy University against the host school and Penn State Brandywine on September 7, and playing at Penn State Hazleton on September 9 before returning home on Wednesday, September 11 at 6:00 pm to face the Highlanders of Cairn University. Follow the Monarchs all season long at kingscollegeathletics.com.