This year’s women’s volleyball team will look to continue on the successes that they had in their first season of eligibility in the WVIAC.  The Griffins finished the 2008 season with a 14-13 overall record and a 10-5 mark in WVIAC play, good for a fifth place regular season finish.  SHU defeated Concord in the first round before being eliminated from WVIAC Tournament play by WV Wesleyan in the quarterfinals.

The Griffins will need to find a replacement for all region outside hitter Reigh Steban who finished a stellar career in 2008.  Steban earned all conference and all region honors in her senior season.  Returning for the Griffins this season will be two all conference selections from last season.  The Griffin front line will be bolstered by All WVIAC honorable mention junior Megan Kehlert and all freshman team selection sophomore Rebecca Robinson.  Robinson and Kehlert will be two of the Griffins who look to pick up some of Steban’s kills.  Also returning to a hitter position this season for the Griffins will be senior Tara Chizmar and sophomores Michelle Ferrari, Megan Stroud, Andrea Clark and Michelle Morris.  Looking to keep the Griffin offense running smoothly will be returning setters, seniors Sara Acklin and Gretchen Meyers.  The Griffins will rely on defensive specialists juniors Anna Knestaut and Christine Murphy.  Also seeing time at the defensive specialist position will be sophomores Jessica Cole and red shirt freshman Grace Cameron.

This year’s freshman class includes outside hitters Ashley Steinbach (Windber, PA) and Christina Donahoe (Export, PA) along with middle hitter Lindsey Pavlikowski (Johnstown, PA). 

SHU will open their 2009 season on September 8th at Pitt Greensburg.  The following weekend the Griffins will take part in the West Chester Tournament.  The Griffins will open up WVIAC play on September 15th when they host Fairmont State.  The 2009 WVIAC Tournament will take place on November 12-13.