FROSTBURG, Md. – Frostburg State Athletics will be taking a preview of each team competing in the fall season, covering eight total sports. Over the next three weeks, each team will be broken down into their expectations, key players, and overall outlook for their season and program. To finish the first week will be Volleyball.
Overall
Frostburg State Volleyball will play its 29th season this fall in the 2023 season. Head Coach Kylie Heyne will enter her fourth season with the team.
Last Season
Frostburg finished with an even 16-16 record last year, going 4-12 in MEC play. The Bobcats started out strong in 2022, winning their first five games of the year, as their season came to a close in early November during the regular season. Heyne coached junior Beverly Braun to the All-MEC Second Team, while she also finished among the nation's leaders in kills.
The Returners
Despite losing a total of seven players from the 2022 roster, including a trio of seniors in McKenna Houser, Biana Smalls, and Edwyna Lainez, FSU will welcome back 12 returning players to their lineup. Braun will enter her senior year in a Bobcat uniform, coming off a terrific season of 433 kills, 43 aces, 302 digs, and 36 blocks. Joining her up at the net are redshirt senior Hayley Delor, who dished out a team-high 736 assists in 2022, seniors Katie Keech and McKaily Thomson-Moran, and juniors Madison Reed, Phoebe Lingold, and AJ Thompson. As defensive specialists, Frostburg brings back senior Jenna Gossard, junior libero Fiona Gonzalez Medina, who led the team with 471 digs last season, and sophomore Amanda Knieper.
The Newcomers
Heyne plans to bring in seven freshmen, along with one transfer for the upcoming season. Junior Tauja Durham comes in as an outside hitter, having played two years in community college. Freshmen Maya Johnson and Emma Larkins look to play outside hitter, with freshmen Maddie Lewis, Jaeden Cook, Raegan Philips, and Paige Mock all coming in as middle hitters/right side. Alyssa Stanton serves as the lone freshman defensive specialist/libero.
Kick off the Season
Frostburg will open their season Thursday, August 31 at 6 PM, as they host Shaw on the first day of the Frostburg State Tournament. The Bobcats will remain at home through Saturday, September 2, before traveling to Canton, Ohio for the Hall of Fame City Challenge starting on Friday, September 8. FSU will open MEC play Friday, September 22 on the road at Concord with the conference matchup set for 7 PM.
For more information and upcoming previews, visit frostburgsports.com.
