LATHAM, N.Y. - The United East has rolled out its 2023 women's volleyball Skye Division preview. The Skye Division consists of 10 teams, with each program squaring off against one another once in conference play.
The top-six teams in the standings at the conclusion of the regular season will earn a spot in the postseason which begins with the Divisional First Round on November 4. Winners of the first round will then play in the Divisonal Semifinal which take place on November 7. A Skye Division Champion will then be crowned at the Divisional Championship on November 9.
The Skye Division Champion will then square off against the Volt Division Champion in a culminating Championship on November 11. The winner of that match will be crowned United East Champion and earn the conference's automatic qualifier into the Division III NCAA Championship.
Find the full schedule with all 17 United East teams HERE: WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE
Cedar Crest College
Emerging as the CSAC Champions for the second-straight season, the Falcons bolster a roster full of talent going into 2023. New head coach Grace Sullivan inherits a squad that compiled a conference record of 8-1 just a season ago. That team retains CSAC Defensive Player of the Year Rebekka Sanchez-Castro, who racked up over 350 digs to go along with 28 aces. Joining her is the CSAC Rookie of the Year, Ellise Everett, as well as All-Conference First Team member Ava Graspy.
?Coach’s Outlook: “Cedar Crest College volleyball has emerged victorious at the CSAC Conference championships for straight years (21, 22), and made 2 straight NCAA tournament appearances (21, 22). With 9 out of 11 returning players and 4 talented incoming first year athletes, Cedar Crest College Volleyball looks to perform at an elevated level compared to previous years. 4 of those returners (Grapsy, Sanchez- Castro, Everett, and Minyo) received All-conference accolades (2022). Taking over in my first season with prior experience playing and/or coaching teams in the Centennial and MAC-Commonwealth conferences, the team looks to be adequately prepared to compete against competitive teams in the United East/CSAC conference. Cedar Crest College Volleyball expects to appear at the Conference Crossover Championship and make a third straight appearance at the DIII NCAA tournament in 2023.”
Rosemont College
Head Coach Christina Floyd begins her first season at Rosemont looking to improve on last season’s 5-4 league record. Sophomore Isabella Reilly was an Honorable Mention honoree in the CSAC during her inaugural campaign and will be joined by Madeline McCarthy (Jr., RS, 134 kills, 22 aces) and Evora Kaiwi (Sr., OH) to lead the Ravens into their first season in the United East.
Coach’s Outlook: “With this being my first season at Rosemont College, I am incredibly excited to be a part of such a well-respected program. Each player brings their own identity to the team, while also having the ability to play well together. I have no doubt this will be one of the most successful seasons this program has had yet.”
Cairn University
Whitney Seidel begins her 7th season at the helm of Cairn Volleyball and has an experienced team looking to improve on last season’s 18-6 (7-2 CSAC) record and 3-2 loss in the CSAC Semi-Finals. Two-time CSAC All-Conference honoree Olivia Zepp (Sr. Setter) returns and is on pace to eclipse 2,000 career assists in 2023 while teammate Caroline Conrad (Jr. OH, 2x CSAC All-Conference) racked up 208 kills and 58 aces in 2022. Payton Cline (So., DS) tallied 243 digs last season and set the program record for digs in a game with 30 against Delaware Valley.
Coach’s Outlook: “Coming off of a very successful 2022 season, we are excited to continue to grow the program within the United East. Graduating 5 players, including 3 all-conference players and the reigning CSAC Player of the Year, is definitely a challenge, but I am very excited about our 9 incoming freshmen and transfers and I anticipate them slotting nicely into our culture and playing style. We are returning several huge impact players, including two all-conference athletes, and we will look to lean on their leadership and experience as we field a relatively young team this season. We are facing several of the same non-conference programs as we did last year, and I am excited to see how the "new-look" Highlanders tackle the challenges and opportunities in front of them. Our goal, as always, is to advance in the playoffs towards our program's first-ever conference championship, and we can't wait to get to work!”
Bryn Athyn College
Amber Wood will enter her second season at the helm of the Lions, posting a conference record of 3-6 in 2022. The Lions graduated both of their setters but return sophomore, outside Sabrina Brock who tallied over 100 kills in her inaugural season while earning Second Team All-Conference honors. Competing in the Skye Division, Bryn Athyn will dip into the Volt teams for some non-conference action including the “Battle of the Lions” against Penn State Abington on September 8.
Coach’s Outlook: “I am very optimistic about this season. Our returners have put in hard work during the off season- and we have a ton of new, passionate freshmen coming in to back them up. The conference isn’t ready for Bryn Athyn College!”
University of Valley Forge
The University of Valley Forge is looking to build on a challenging 2022 in Head Coach Jacob Rodriguez’s 2nd season at the helm. Returning is senior captain Caitlyn Fisher (OH/MH) who tallied 123 kills and 20 aces in 2022. Juniors Telia Robinson (OH & OPP; 65 kills, 12 aces) and Evia Ruiz (DS; 3 aces) provide experience and stability for the Patriots leading into 2023.
Coach’s Outlook: “I am excited about who we were able to add to our roster this year. We have added experience along with some youthful energy. We look to build off of a strong foundation of Effort and Discipline set by our returners.”
Clarks Summit University
With new Head Coach Kelly Fry leading the pack, the Defenders look to use experience to improve upon their 2022 record. Senior Melanie Stabler will provide solid defense in the back row as her 2.73 digs-per-set led the team last year. Setter Hailey Bush will also be a key piece as she was the main setter in the team’s “5-1 offense” in 2022. The Defenders come right out of the gate with some early non-conference foes, squaring off in the Lycoming Tournament the opening weekend.
Coach’s Outlook: “I expect us to be a stronger team this year with more playing experience all-around. We are excited about the new ladies joining our team who come from good volleyball programs and athletic backgrounds. My ladies work hard, so I am counting on them to put in the time and effort to build our program and have a more competitive season. We are going to be a small, but mighty team!”
Keystone College
The Giants made their way to the semifinal of last year’s conference Championship and are gearing up for an even further run in 2023. Posting a conference record of 7-2, Maegen Eddinger’s (3rd season) squad will return multiple All-Conference members. Earning First Team as just a freshman, Becca Jackson will be back on the outside for Keystone, looking to better her 198 kills from 2022. Adrianna Derrick will counter her as the other outside hitter while Hailey Herneisey will loom large from the libero position. Early non-conference matches against Wilkes, Marywood and Lycoming should have the Giants ready for the Skye Division.
Coach’s Outlook: “Keystone College has been building back the program since the pandemic year in 2020. We have been bringing in stronger and stronger recruits each year to build the roster back. Last year we ended conference play 7-2 on the season which was a huge turn around from 2021 when we were 2-7. This coming season, we have added 8 incoming freshmen who are capable of stepping in and making an impact immediately on the program. Along with that we have 9 strong returning student-athletes who have been helping to shape this program over the past years. Additionally, we have added a strong new assistant coach in Ashleen Speen who will bring her expertise to Keystone College.”
Saint Elizabeth University
The Eagles are marking this as somewhat of a rebuilding year but will not be surprised if they find a way to make some waves in the playoffs. Coach Rebecca Pagan Padilla enters her second year as the team’s head coach, recruiting a promising freshman class. Non-conference competition will be good as the Eagles are scheduled to square off against in-state rival Rutgers-Newark on September 30. Taylor Liriano should make a big impact in her second season, piling up 99 kills from the outside just a year ago. Kristina Ashton will also return to help dish the ball.
Coach’s Outlook: “We expect 2023 to be another rebuilding year as the coaching staff continues to put their stamp on the team. The 2023 class will bring some key defensive pieces to the roster, should help us increase our offensive production, and add more years of play experience to the roster; laying a solid foundation for the future of the program."
Notre Dame of Maryland University
After a season in which the Gators went 8-1 in conference play, Henry DeTita (17th season) looks to continue that success into 2023. Notre Dame retains its core starters including Ciarra Bockstie, whose 149 kills helped lead her to a First Team All-Conference nod. Paulina Hernandez will pitch in in the back row as she ranked second in the conference in digs-per-set. Non-conference will expose the Gators to the other United East Division as they play Volt members Penn State Harrisburg, Gallaudet and St. Mary’s College.
Coach’s Outlook: “This years team brings back a lot of experience along with some talented freshman. Our upperclass student athletes have been together now for 2 full season so they won’t get surprised by anything.I expect a focused, hard working group coming into the season”
Wilson College
Jason Lewis returns for a second season in charge of the Wilson College women’s volleyball program. Coming off of a CSAC Quarter-Finals appearance in 2022, the Phoenix have an experienced squad returning for 2023. Junior Deah Menedis was a CSAC First Team All-Conference performer who had 30 kills in a match against Saint Elizabeth in 2022. Niki Schussler (Jr., OH) racked up 145 kills and 24 aces last season.
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The United East boasts 17 NCAA Division III full member institutions which include: Bryn Athyn College, Cairn University, Cedar Crest College, Clarks Summit University, Gallaudet University, Keystone College, Lancaster Bible College, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Penn College, Penn State Abington, Penn State Berks, Penn State Harrisburg, Rosemont College, Saint Elizabeth University, St. Mary's College of Maryland, University of Valley Forge, and Wilson College. For more information, please visit gounitedeast.com.