WILKES-BARRE, PA (August 31, 2021) – On the eve of the season opener, the King's College Monarchs women's volleyball team is ecstatic to begin the 2021 season and compete for the first time in an official contest since November 2, 2019.

"I am very proud of how our kids did what they needed to do during these very different times," said head coach Bernie Kachinko. "We had limited practices and scrimmages over the last 12 months plus but it turned out to be productive which is a testament to our kids dedication to elevate their play and the teams."
 
The 13-person roster features eight seniors, a junior, a sophomore, and three first years. The Monarchs have a tough task at hand this season as they look to replace the experience and leadership of opposite hitter Becca Goldberg, libero Taylor Mueller, and defensive specialist Kait Roberts.

"When these seniors came to King's their freshmen class compromised over half of the team," stated Kachinko. "They were thrust into the line up very early and went some through some growing pains. I believe all those experiences in those first two seasons along with dealing with this past year will definitely help going into their final year.  This team has really grown up over their careers. It has been quite a journey and I look forward seeing how this final chapter will be written by these seniors."
 
Under the direction of Kachinko in his 29^th season, having amassed a 534-336 record in his two stints at the head of the women's volleyball program, the Monarchs aim to achieve their 20-plus win season streak to six in 2021. King's is also looking to achieve a bigger goal this upcoming season as they look to qualify for the MAC Freedom tournament for the first time since 2017 and earn the coveted MAC Freedom Championship title for the first time since 2002.

"Our preseason has had its bumps in the road but our kids have been producing winning practices which I hope turn into a lot of winning on game day," added Kachinko.
 
The 2021 season also marks the first fall season with the new alignment of the MAC Freedom as it welcomes Arcadia University and Lycoming College, while losing Eastern University, to complete the even split among the conference's 18 member schools.
 
With the home opener set for tomorrow evening in McGrane Gymnasium, the Monarchs are prepared for the challenges ahead in their 2021 season. A positional breakdown is below.
 
FRONT ROW
While the Monarchs fill the hole left by the 2019 All-MAC Freedom selection in Goldberg, there is plenty of experience in the front row for King's. Senior outside hitter Christie Brown returns as the team's leading attacker, posting 113 kills at 1.69 kills per set with a .133 hitting percentage in 2019. Joining her on the outside will be junior Kayla Sondberg who appeared in 31 sets in her rookie campaign and added 33 kills at 1.06 kills per set.
 
The Monarchs will have no shortage of options of middle hitters as the roster features six middles, led by senior Cleo Schultz who totaled 82 kills and ranked second with 42 total blocks up front. Helping with the blocking efforts are fellow seniors Danielle Kitchner, who finished 2019 third with 30 total blocks, and Olivia Bunch, who totaled a team-fourth best 26 blocks in her first season with the Monarchs.
 
Injuries plagued senior Sarah Hayward's season two years ago, so she is looking to emerge as a steady contributor and another extra leader for the young Monarch offense.
 
New to the offensive slate for King's are sophomore Emily Scott and first year Emma Monson. Scott had a solid spring season last year in preparation for her collegiate debut, and Monson comes from an excellent local program at North Pocono High School where she earned Second-Team All-League honors as a senior.
 
Set to control the offense is the team's lone remaining All-MAC Freedom honoree in senior setter Wiatt Hoffmann. Hoffmann led the Monarchs with 717 assists in 2019 at 8.85 assists per set, and her extensive knowledge of the game coupled with her team-leading 179 sets played for her career have prepared her for an exciting senior season.
 
She will also be charged with helping newcomers Keely Hoban and Carly Shire to learn the collegiate game and the ins and outs of King's College women's volleyball. Both Hoban and Shire posted successful high school careers and have high hopes for their careers as Monarchs.
 
BACK ROW
There is no shortage of experience in the back row for King's this season, despite losing Mueller, the other 2019 All-MAC Freedom selection for the Monarchs. Seniors Karissa Hartzell, Toni Galasso, and Hoffmann all return as crucial aspects of the team's 1,572 digs for the 2019 season.
 
Hartzell ranked second in digs with 234 at 2.52 digs per set as well as adding 34 service aces, both second only to Mueller. She also led the Monarchs in appearances in 2019, contributing in all 29 matches and 93 out of a possible 95 sets. Hoffmann and Galasso round out the returning defensive leaders, adding 168 and 160 digs, respectively, with Galasso also totaling a team-third best 24 aces.
 
King's will also expect to see some defensive skills out of Hoban and Shire to help add to the depth in the back row throughout the grueling and challenging 2021 season.
 
SCHEDULE
The Monarchs open their 2021 season at home as they defend McGrane Gymnasium for the first time in an NCAA-sanctioned event in 682 days against the Defenders of Clarks Summit University tomorrow evening, September 1, at 7:00 p.m. King's will then begin their five-match road stretch with trips to Keuka, Marywood, and Centenary before opening MAC Freedom play in McGrane Gymnasium against Delaware Valley on Tuesday, September 14 with first serve set for 7:00 p.m.
 
Additional road trips include Brywn Mawr, Stevens, DeSales, Saint Elizabeth, Utica, Arcadia, Misericordia, and Lehman. King's will also play host to Keystone, Rosemont, Medgar Evers, FDU-Florham, Penn College, Brooklyn College, Valley Forge, Wilkes, William Paterson, John Jay, and Lycoming throughout the fall.
 
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Follow along all season with the King's College women's volleyball program at kingscollegeathletics.com, the official home of King's College athletics. Make sure to head over to our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the most up-to-date content and information with the handle @KingsMonarchs.