LATHAM, N.Y. - The United East has rolled out its 2023 women's volleyball Volt Division preview. The Volt Division consists of seven 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 Volt Division Champion will then be crowned at the Divisional Final on November 9.

The Volt Division Champion will then square off against the Skye 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

Penn State Abington

Abington returns nearly its entire lineup as the Nittany Lions look for postseason action in 2023. Heading into his fifth season at the helm, Head Coach Roy Watson will match up with Skye Division opponent Cairn to start the season with a battle. Setter Laine Kulpinski is a key returner for Abington as her aces-per-set ranked in the top-5 in Division III. Net defense will also be a staple of the program as returners Bri Brozo and Alyssa FLinckinger both finished last season with 19 blocks.

Coach’s Outlook: “We look to build experience as we continue to grow as a volleyball team. Returning a core group of Sophomore athletes who were strong contributors as Freshman will help a large group of talented additions be game ready sooner! Senior Captain Taylor La Page will also be a huge factor as we prepare for battle. We will be a young team in 2023 but will continue to work hard and get better as we develop together as a team and as individual, successful volleyball student-athletes. We are excited to get back to work!”

Penn State Harrisburg

The Lions graduated a large class last season but have plenty of talent to get back into postseason form in 2023. Angela Burkett is set to head the program for the seventh year in a row, pushing Harrisburg to a 4-4 conference record last year. Burkett has made sure to include plenty of tough non-conference opponents including former United East Champions, SUNY Morrisville, which will take place on September 30. Leading the team on the court will be captains Julie Choe and Tiniira Tubo.

Coach’s Outlook: “The team looks forward to getting back on the court for the 2023 season to make another push at a conference championship!”

Gallaudet University

Losing just one conference match a year ago, the Bison are on a mission to find the success from 2021 that got them into the NCAA Championship. Lynn Ray Boren enters his 18th year as the Gallaudet bench captain and has set up some key non-conference matches including a contest against Marymount (9/6) and Dickinson (9/13). While the squad loses former Offensive Player of the Year Emily Wright, they will return two Second Team All-Conference standouts in Citrine Lummer and Cassidy Perry.

Coach’s Outlook: “With several transferred players, first-year players and returning players, I am more than excited to see how they merge and build into a solid team. I am confident that this group of wonderful players who are capable of succeeding this upcoming season.”

Penn College

The Wildcats are looking to trend in the positive direction as Head Coach Carolyn McKeon enters her third year at the helm. Returning to the court is senior Cheyenne Stein who led the squad in service aces last season. The team also brings back Coryn Oswald who just one year removed from injury, proudly led the team in digs and kills.

Coach’s Outlook: While we only had 2 wins in the 2022 season, it was our best record since 2017. It improved from 2021 and we are looking to continue that upward trend. Adding some strong new freshman and some new upperclassmen, the dynamics of the team looks strong. We have seniors who are looking to prove something to the community and themselves. I see a lot of fight in the players this season and looking to add more wins.

Lancaster Bible College

After a postseason trip a year ago, Coach Julie Brubaker (4th season) and the Chargers will use a solid core to help them in the 2023 season. Leah Helman will return in the libero spot after being named the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year. She will have team captain Chloe King on the outside and Morgan Fenstermacher in the middle to provide offense as well. With an 18-12 record just one season ago, Lancaster Bible reloads its schedule with key non-conference matches against Eastern University (9/12) and Franklin & Marshall (9/27).

Coach’s Outlook: “We are excited to see what we can do as we build off the momentum of last year while adding a strong incoming class to help propel us further. Between the level of our non-conference opponents and the strength of the United East, we believe we will be pushed but we're excited for another opportunity to compete as a team and look to put a postseason run together."
 

Penn State Berks

Micaela Sensenig begins her first season with an experienced team that looks to avenge a United East Championship loss in 2022 after a 19-10 (6-2 United East) campaign.  Riley Kovach was the United East Rookie of the Year and 2nd Team All-Conference after an initial campaign  with 481 digs, 4.72 digs per set and won Defensive Player of the Week four separate times last season.  Jordan Thompson (.289 Hitting Pct) and Mackenzie Shoop (.113 Hitting Pct) will lead the front line attack.

Coach’s Outlook: “As I embark on my first season with Penn State Berks, I am filled with anticipation for what promises to be an exciting journey consisting of hard work and dedication along this competitive season. I am thrilled to be able to guide this talented group of young women as we collectively aspire to continually refine ourselves and deliver our best in every encounter, week after week.”
 

St. Mary's College of Maryland

Alexis Calloway enters her second year as the Seahawks head coach, hoping to find the squad their first postseason berth since joining the conference in 2021. Strong non-conference opponents in early September, such as the ODACs Virginia Wesleyan and Bridgewater, should help the team prep for a difficult conference slate. Outside hitter Meghan Stevens will provide plenty of help all around, ending last season with a team-leading 181 kills. The Seahawks also return Alayna Sievert who will serve as the team's primary setter option.

Coach's Outlook: "We are excited to return a strong group of girls while rebuilding and adding 6 to our team this year. I am excited to see everyone on the court together. Our out-of-conference schedule should help prepare us well for the conference and the girls are ready to work hard to push one another to be successful."
 

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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.