The Pitt-Johnstown women's volleyball team, under second year Head Coach Joanna Haupt, enters the 2014  season as the favorite to win the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference's (PSAC) Eastern Division in the preseason coaches' poll.  This comes one year after the Lady Cats won the PSAC Tournament title in its inaugural season in the conference and earned the program's first ever NCAA Tournament berth.
 
The Lady Cats posted their best record in more than a decade last year at 26-11.  Pitt-Johnstown will look to improve on that in 2014.  Sophomore outside hitter Marissa Erminio (Hopwood, Pa.) finished the 2013 campaign ranked 48^th in the country in kills per set (3.67) and 61^st in points per set (4.05) en route to being named Freshmen of the Year in the PSAC East and selected to the First-Team All-Atlantic Region team.  Senior Setter Nikki Oakes (Pittsburgh, Pa.) led the team in aces last year (57) on her way to ranking 61^st in the country in aces per set (0.42).

Erminio and Oakes are among four letter-winners from last season's PSAC championship team to return.  They are joined by eight very talented freshmen.

The team begins the season with nine straight road games (First home contest on September 26^th) including 4 games against PSAC foes, before hosting Kutztown University on September 26 in the Sports Center.

"Every year you have new challenges," Coach Haupt said.  "We had a tough off season with a few key injuries, but the incoming freshmen have brought an extremely high level of intensity and enthusiasm.  At this point, I think the team is ready to get onto the court and have some fun."
 
The Lady Cat volleyball team begins action on September 5 at a tournament at Indiana University (PA) against former West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC) foe West Virginia Wesleyan College.