Head Coach: Matt Darling

Assistant Coaches: Bouaketh Chanthavisouk, Jenn Davis

2011 Overall Record: 20-12

2011 Conference Record: 14-5

Postseason Level Reached: PSAC Tournament Quarterfinals, NCAA Tournament First Round

Returners: Sarah Glancy, Morgan Reineke, Lauren Sazama, Emily Carver, Maggie Desrosiers, Taryn Graham, Emily Meyer, Megan Wendel, Kortney Zimmerman

Newcomers: Lexy Weissinger, Emily Foertsch, Lisa Gropler, Lynne Hibbard, Kayla Knickerbocker
Schedule: Click Here
Roster: Click Here

ERIE, Pa. - Following a third straight NCAA Tournament berth last season, the Gannon volleyball team will have balance of youth and experience when it tries to extend the streak to four in 2012. Last season, the Lady Knights also produced the third-straight 20 win season for the program. Both runs are the first such streaks for the program since the 1993-95 seasons.

Eleven of Gannon's 20 wins last season came at home as the Hammermill once again proved inhospitable to opponents. The Lady Knights didn't drop a match at home all season (11-0), improving their record over the past three years to an impressive 33-5. Gannon opened with wins in 23 straight sets at home before finishing the season with a 34-5 final mark. Four of those set losses came during five-set wins against Edinboro and Point Park. 

As it has been during Darling's tenure, the 2011 season was again decorated with postseason awards. The program added two more All-PSAC first team honors and four all-region accolades. 

However, there will be gaps to fill for head coach Matt Darling as the program saw five standout seniors graduate last spring. Included in the fifth-year head coach's first recruiting class was Chelsea Barrett, Courtney Cook, Kara Cullen, Alex DelPiombo and Claren Harris. With just four upperclassmen on the roster this season, the Lady Knights will rely on the talents of five sophomores, one redshirt freshman and five true freshman to contribute on the court.

The program is anchored by a strong senior class in Sarah Glancy (Walled Lake Mich. / Walled Lake Central), Morgan Reineke (New Knoxville, Ohio / New Knoxville) and Lauren Sazama (St. Louis, Mo. / Oakville). The trio represents the top three offensive returners in terms of kills from last season. Glancy had a great transitional season as she excelled following a move from the middle to the right side. Sazama led the team in kills (410) and points (485.5) during a year that again saw her earn All-PSAC and All-Region honors. Reineke played in all but five sets during the year, totaling 223 kills and 254 points, third most on the squad.

The lone junior on the squad this season is newcomer Lexy Weissinger (Erie, Pa. / McDowell), who will be playing her first season in a Gannon uniform. 

The sophomore class, which battled for playing time on a talent-packed roster last season will be relyed upon for key performances in 2012. Maggie Desrosiers (Uniontown, Ohio / Hoover) and Taryn Graham (Huron, Ohio / Huron) each saw significant playing time as freshman. In fact, the pair were the only two Lady Knights to play in every match last season. Desrosiers picked up 198 digs and 48 kills while Graham, who played every set as Gannon's libero, totaled 377 digs. 

Emily Carver (Stow, Ohio / Theodore Roosevelt) and Emily Meyer (Wexford, Pa. / North Allegheny) will look to make an impact on the offensive front with Meyer competing for time on the outside and Carver in the middle. 

The returners are rounded out by setter Megan Wendel (Aurora, Ohio / Kenston) and Kortney Zimmerman (Essexville, Mich / Garber). Wendel saw part-time action at setter last season averaging 5.76 assists per set. Zimmerman will compete for playing time in the back row after redshirting during her first season. 

The freshman class consists of five student-athletes who have completed successful highschool careers in five different states. Joining the team are Emily Foertsch (Eagan, Minn./Eagan), Lisa Gropler (St. Louis, Mo./Visitation Academy), Lynne Hibbard (West Barnstable, Mass./Barnstable), Kayla Knickerbocker (Richland, Mich./Gull Lake) and Morgan Walters (Girard, Ohio/Girard).

“Every good recruiting class has a certain quality that distinguishes it from others - some are loaded with talent, others are characterized by their athleticism, and still others are notable for bringing in experience,” said Darling. “Our 2012 class will bring all of these qualities. What really excites me about this class is that these five student-athletes will bring out the best in the team and the coaching staff.”

The Gannon volleyball team will kick off the 2012 season will seven straight home matches, hosting the Gannon University Invitational and the Gannon-Mercyhurst Invtational at the Hammermill Center.