United States Coast Guard Academy - Department of Athletics - Volleyball

Coast Guard returns a solid nucleus from a team that finished 28-5 and 6-3 in the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) and won the program’s third ECAC Championship of the decade.

The Bears welcome back eight players that saw significant playing time a year ago. The young but experienced team got outstanding contributions from five freshmen a year ago.

Sophomore Lauren Bloch, the Most Outstanding Player of the ECAC Tournament a year ago, led the team with 272 kills last season and will be a force at outside hitter or on the right side.

Junior Nicole Johnson (266 kills) and sophomore Catherine Walker (201 kills) will see action at the outside hitter spot. The Bears will be without first team All-conference selection sophomore outside hitter Keriann Mason, who had off season surgery and is hoping to be back my midseason. Freshman Sam Marmolejo will see time at either outside hitter or as a defensive specialist for the Bears while freshman Lexie Ludewig adds depth at the outside hitter spot.

Senior Merritt Anderson, who was outstanding during the ECAC tournament run last season, will see increased playing time on the right side.

Freshman Kelsey DePorto, who has looked great in the preseason, and sophomore Rachel Cuthrell (119 kills), who finished strong last season, will see time at the middle hitter spots.

Senior co-captain Jessica Anderson, who set the single-season school record with 553 digs last season to lead the conference, is back at libero. She enters with 1,093 career digs with a chance to break the Bears’ all-time mark of 1,465 set by Cassie Janssen (1994-’97).

Senior co-captain Ashley Bullard is back as defensive specialist and will add depth at the setter spot.

Sophomore Karen Matic, who was second in the NEWMAC with 9.47 assists per game last season, is back as the setter.

“We are looking to build upon the success we had last season as ECAC Champions and take the next step and get to the NCAA Tournament,” said fourth-year head coach Rob Mullowney.