Aug. 31, 2006

Garden City, N.Y. - The Adelphi volleyball team will open the 2006 campaign by hosting American International College, Philadelphia Biblical and Southern Connecticut State on September 1 and 2. AIC and Southern Connecticut will kick off the tournament at 5:00 pm on Friday, followed by Adelphi and Philadelphia Biblical.

The Panthers is entering a new era in 2006. The Panthers, under the direction of first year head coach Chriss Mazzarella, will be looking to round back into the form they achieved during the 2004 20-win season.

"I'm very excited to come to a school that has great enthusiasm and compassion for the student-athlete," Mazzarella said. "It's also amazing to get such strong support from not only the student body but from the faculty as well."

The volleyball team is coming off of a 2005 campaign that saw the team finish the season with a 13-17 overall record. However the Panthers rebounded from a sluggish start to go 13-12 over their last games, including securing an East Coast Conference (ECC) tournament berth.

"It's a little bit of a rebuilding year. With six new recruits and the talent we have back from a year ago, I think a top four placing in the ECC is very possible," Mazzarella stated. "Our team chemistry has been extremely positive and their passion for the game should help us achieve our goals."

The Panthers are working hard to improve their offense in order to improve their conference finish. "Statistically last year our offense was sub-par as compared to the rest of the ECC," Mazzarella explained. "However, with our new additions and new schemes we are going to turn some heads."

Senior and tri-captain Brittany Addeo (Minden, NV) will again orchestrate the offense from the setter position. Addeo missed last season with an injury and her floor leadership and excellent hands were missed. Sophomore Erica Valeriano (Fresh Meadows, N.Y.) will also see some time at setter, where her quickness makes her an asset.

Lauren Flanagan (Boulder, CO), a 2005 Third-Team All-ECC performer, leads all returnees in kills, having amassed 243 a season ago. Her intelligence and team spirit will be just as important to Adelphi's success this season as her blocking skills.

Freshmen outside hitter Anna Gabbard (Columbus, IN) and opposite Audrey Goss (Birmingham, AL) join fellow freshman middle blocker Kelsey Hackett (Alta Loma, CA) to give the Panthers depth on the front line. Gabbard and Hackett both have a strong serve, while Goss' strong blocking will help Adelphi on the defensive side of the ball.

Defense was the strength of Adelphi's team from a year ago and coach Mazzarella sees this year as being no different. "Defensively we were one of the top teams in the conference and I feel its still a positive area for us and something we can continue to improve."

Senior tri-captain Kelly Campbell (Hicksville, N.Y.) will be called upon to help lead the team defensively after finishing last season second on the team in blocks with 66 combined stops. Junior outside hitter Kathleen Creegan's (North Bellmore, N.Y.) leaping ability will help raise Adelphi's defensive game as well.

Kelly Campbell recorded 66 blocks in 2005.

Senior tri-captain and libero Deanna Maggio (Island Park, N.Y.) and sophomore opposite Samantha Johnston (Port Jervis, N.Y.) both have strong all-around games. Maggio's ability to read the opposition and Johnston's quickness will place them both on the court frequently.

Freshmen Ginna-Lee Tamburello (Island Park, N.Y.) and Amy Williams (Bloomington, IN) will give Mazzarella added options at libero, where Williams defense and passing ability are important. Junior newcomer Jana Kass' (Rockville Centre, N.Y.) toughness and good serve also put her in the mix at libero.

Sophomore Jessica Walsh (West Hempstead, N.Y.) adds to Adelphi's depth and flexibility because she is able to play multiple positions. She is also a strong server, good passer and team leader. Fellow Sophomore Paige Irvine (Glendora, CA) will see increased time this year thanks to her excellent serve and her willingness to take direction.

Adelphi will open their season on September 1 when they play host to American International, Southern Connecticut State and Philadelphia Biblical during the two-day Adelphi September Showcase. They will also participate in the Millersville Tournament before opening their conference schedule on September 14 at Queens College.

The Panthers have a tough and deep conference schedule, with six of eight NCAA Northeast Regional participants from 2005 coming out of the ECC. Adelphi's toughest conference test will come on September 30, when they Panthers face conference champion Dowling College at 4:00 pm.

"Our overall record this year should be over .500 and I expect to make an appearance at the ECAC championships," Mazzarella stated. "The conference portion of our schedule will be tough, the other teams in the ECC are very talented and every match will be a hard fought battle."