The 2013 version of the Pitt-Johnstown women's volleyball team under first year Head Coach Joanna Haupt enters the season picked to finish sixth in the Eastern Division of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Preseason Coach's Poll.
The Lady Cats, who will transition from the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletics Conference (WVIAC) in 2012 to the PSAC in 2013, posted their best record in more than a decade last year with an 18-8 mark and look to improve on that in 2013 as a wealth of talent returns. Senior middle hitter Beth Kendera (Johnstown, Pa.) finished the 2012 campaign ranked 11th in NCAA Division II in hitting percentage (0.381) and 24th in blocks per set (1.22) en route to garnering Second-Team All-WVIAC honors. Joining Kendera is 2012 All-WVIAC Honorable Mention selection Kelsey Shanabrook (Junior, OH, Mechanicsburg, Pa.) and six other returning letter winners and a very talented freshmen class.
Coach Haupt will rely on senior leadership as the Lady Cats begin the season with 14 straight road games, including seven PSAC matches, before making their home debut on October 8.
"Entering the PSAC will be a tough challenge but our team is eager for the challenge," Coach Haupt said. "Since the end of last season they have worked extremely hard and have been very receptive to the changes we made to the volleyball program. At this point I think they are ready to get onto the court and have some fun."
