The Alverno College volleyball team looks to head in a new direction this 2013 season. Led by first-year head coach Jimmy Muñoz, the Inferno returns three juniors and a sophomore, and adds seven freshmen to a squad that went 3-25 last season.
"We only have four returners, three of which are returning starters," said Muñoz. "They bring wonderful things to the gym every single day, including energy and leadership."
Outside-hitters Cali Trepp and Emily Ortner were the Inferno's top attackers last season. The duo combined for over half of the team's kills as Ortner, a sophomore, led all with 228, and Trepp, a junior, was second with 203. Both tallied over 200 digs and 20 service aces apiece, as well.
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Juniors Mariah Arterberry and Devon Gorman will play as middle blockers this season. Arterberry was third on the team with 19 total blocks last season and added 111 kills, while Gorman will move to the middle after serving as the Inferno's libero in 2012.
Carley King from Zion-Benton High School will join the junior pair in the middle and see time as an opposite-side hitter, where fellow freshman Jillian Batty from Lanphier High School will play.
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Antioch Community High School's Meranda Masse will serve as the team's setter, whileGenevieve Bauman from Racine Case High School and Danielle Schilawski from Oconto High School will both fill in as defensive specialists.
Mary Green from Momence High School and Danielle Rosenthal from Waterford Union High School will join the team's attack as outside hitters.
"The rookies are fitting in great. We're really stoked on what they're doing -- what they're bringing to practice and how they're pushing the returners. A couple are going to end up starting, and a couple are going to play some major roles for us this season."
Alverno hasn't won a conference match since the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference's inaugural season in 2006, and sits at 78-straight league matches without a victory.
"We've set a lot of goals and have high expectations for this team. We're expecting some good things this year and we are definitely not going o-fer in conference play this year. I really am stoked about us making history by winning a conference match. And hopefully not just one, hopefully a couple, and doing our best to improve the name and prestige of the Alverno volleyball program."
The Inferno opens play at the Midwest Crossroads College Challenge in Hobart, Ind., this Saturday and Sunday. Alverno's first home matches are on Friday, Sept. 13 and Saturday, Sept. 14, hosting the 2013 Alverno Volleyball Tournament in Reiman Gymnasium.