The King's College Women's Volleyball team won the 2019 Hudson Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championship way back in November of 2019. Because of the covid pandemic, it was almost two years before they stepped back on the court to play a match together. Coach Richard Christensen is now the head coach after having served as the assistant coach in 2019 under Grace Croley, but the championship team has only lost one player to graduation, Renae Maganza, and remains mostly intact. Well, there was some rust to shake off, the team got off to a good start to their 2021 season with a 3-0 victory over Penn State Hazleton.
The veteran presence of Samantha Klozik, Alex Kemsley, and Abby Roth provided a sense of calmness on the court as five players made their collegiate volleyball debut. Sophomore Bella Rush made her presence known with 5 kills and 3 service aces for points in the match. Freshman Eliana Adler helped with 2 assists and 3 digs. Freshman HaileyPaige Gilroy had 5 assists and 6 service aces, and freshman Eliana Adler added 2 assists and 3 service aces, while freshman Rachel Guerra contributed 5 kills.
The newcomers seemed to fit right in as the team posted 25-7, 25-14, and 25-15 sets en route to their win. Senior Samantha Klozik posted 8 points with 3 kills and 5 service aces while junior Alex Kemsley had 4 kills. 2019 HVIAC Tournament MVP Abby Roth notched 10 assists.
The team looked sharp in their first match and with more training and competition ahead, the team will only improve. They face a tough opponent next in Centenary University.
