Boca Raton, Florida – In 2019, the Lynn Fighting Knights' women's volleyball team rewrote the record books on their way to the best season in program history. The team finished with an overall record of 28–5, a conference record of 18–2, hosted the first regional in program history and had two athletes earn All-American status.
The new 2022 volleyball team will battle to earn some of that magic from the past with returners grinding in the off season and a revamped roster that adds new Division I, Division II and NAIA players. In total, nine transfers and two freshmen join the team to assemble the largest incoming class in Lynn volleyball history.
Fighting Knights crew
"We have something to prove after last season, the new additions have helped elevate the level of play and enhance volleyball IQ," said Head Volleyball Coach
Adam Milewski. The Fighting Knights have a team that is built on depth to help endure the rigorous season ahead.
Nadia Lindner is one of the prominent returners for the team ranking third in conference last season in kills (382), tied for fourth in kills per set (3.57) and in conference games led with kills per set (4.01). Lindner was named SSC Offensive Player of the Week last fall, 2021 South Region Volleyball Crossover All-Tournament team and CoSIDA Academic All-District team. Coach Milewski comments that Lindner has progressed since the first day she arrived on campus as a 17-year-old and has grown into a pivotal senior teammate to motivate new players and returners this year. Last year she earned All-SSC Honor first team, named D2CCA All-South second team and AVCA Division II All-South Region team.
The Fighting Knights returning with Lindner this season include:
Paige Barash,
Morgan Browne, Aime Bruton,
Adrianna Casados,
Alexis Eaves,
Emily Edwards,
Isabella Gentile,
Victoria Macaluso,
Jaryn Morgan and
Aline Olegario.
The transfers consist of four international athletes and another four incoming recruits from Division I universities. Dual sport athlete,
Kate Pestova from Almaty, Kazakhstan, played beach and indoor volleyball receiving the most recent awards for NCCAA Women's Volleyball First Team All-American, GSAC Beach Volleyball Pair of the Year and NCCAA Athlete of the Week.
Dayana Chara — a Charleston Southern transfer from Cartagena, Colombia — was Big South All-Conference second team and was also named the Big South Player of the Week in 2021.
Nikolija Katanic from Belgrade Serbia, is a graduate transfer from Bowling Green and
Monica Mazzoleni from Bergamo, Italy is also a graduate transfer.
The rest of the transfers that round out the team include:
Riley Cullen from South Carolina Upstate,
Kenidy Howard from University of Texas at El Paso,
Marin Black from Life University and
Shannon Burgess from Stonehill College.
Chloe Riley and
Joelle Alexander are the only freshmen additions to the team this year.
Outlook
"We're elated to acquire 10 new additions to the team — combined with our returning talent, it will help speed up our offense which we've been looking to accomplish," said Coach Milewski. "We have two new liberos that will allow us to have more options and increase the technical ability component of our offense. We prioritize our core values and spirit, success, and strength at all times and as a coaching staff we are proud to see this reflected in our players along with the natural team chemistry that's developing."
The team is focused on building unity and team chemistry for the upcoming challenges they will face throughout the season and will continue to hone those skills to their routine to successfully grow as players.
"It's a tough conference we compete in, and every night is a grind," said Coach Milewski. "If we can apply the basics, we will have better success. The returners have grinded in the off season to help put the team in a better position this season and the newcomers will add to that comradery."
Upcoming
The women's volleyball team takes the court for their home opener, facing Tampa University and Eckerd Sept 16–17 at 7 p.m. and 4 p.m. They will open conference play at Palm Beach Atlantic (PBA) Sept. 9 and 10.
About the Lynn University Fighting Knights
Lynn's NCAA Division II Fighting Knights have won 25 national titles and 47 conference championships. The Blue and White are a member of the Sunshine State Conference, the Division II "Conference of National Champions." Lynn University is an independent college based in Boca Raton, Florida. U.S. News & World Report has consistently recognized Lynn for its innovation, international students and value. To keep up to date on Lynn Athletics, follow @Lynn_Knights on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
