UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – The Saginaw Valley State University volleyball team opens the 2022 season at the Cougar Classic hosted by Cal State San Marcos this weekend in California.
In his 19th season with the Cardinals, Head Coach Will Stanton will look to a core group of returners to lead a group of fresh faces for SVSU this season. The Cardinals finished the 2021 season with a record of 16-11 overall and 8-7 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. SVSU closed the season in the opening round of the GLIAC Tournament a year ago.
The Cardinals were picked to finish seventh in the GLIAC this season in the Preseason Coaches Poll.
Key Returners:
- Peyton Gerstacker, Setter, Senior: 2021 All-GLIAC Honorable Mention, played in all 27 games for SVSU, recorded 883 assists, 281 digs, 72 kills, and 15 service aces.
- Rylee Zimmer, MH/OH, Junior: All-GLIAC Second Team in 2021, 218 kills, 157 digs, and 91 total blocks, played in all 27 games for SVSU.
- Madison Thompson, OH, Sophomore: Played in all 27 games, recorded 206 kills, .181 hitting percentage, added 66 digs and 17 blocks.
- Sarah Veale, OH, Sophomore: 2021 GLIAC Freshman of the Year, had 11 kills, .138 hitting percentage, 46 digs, and 13 total blocks in 23 matches played.
Also returning for the Cardinals will be Kelsey Vittitow, Patricia Pratt, and Juliana Dunning. Newcomer for 2022 include Natalie Siler, Sage Schumacher, Ella Lochbiler, Alena Whittaker, Makaylah Roberts, Emily Foster, Elizabeth Bruschuk, and Peyton Bartnikowski.
The Cardinals will have no time to settle into the schedule, as SVSU opens the Cougar Classic against the No. 4 team in the NCAA DII Preseason Poll, MSU-Denver at 1 pm on Friday. After four games in California, SVSU will travel to Cedarville, Ohio for four matches Sept. 2-3.
The GLIAC Schedule opens with a trip to Lake Superior State University on Sept. 9, followed by the home opener against the University of Wisconsin-Parkside on Sept. 10 at the Hamilton Gymnasium. SVSU plays four straight home matches in October concluding with Senior Day against Michigan Tech on Oct. 29.
The GLIAC Tournament will take place Nov. 9-13 at campus sites, followed by the NCAA DII National Tournament.
Season Preview Interview with Head Coach Will Stanton Below: