ONEONTA, N.Y. – The SUNY Oneonta women's volleyball team is ready to begin their season tonight under the leadership of sixth-year head coach Ashley Coyle. The Red Dragons face off against Rochester at 7 p.m. in Rochester, NY.

After a challenging 2021 season, Oneonta looks to use its veteran experience to improve upon last year's record. In total, the Red Dragons bring back five seniors, including middle blocker Clara Culeton (Oswego, NY/Oswego), defensive specialists Carsyn Rachuta (Holbrook, NY/Sachem North) and Alexandra Parillo (Oakdale, NY/Connetquot), outside hitter Casey Biggers (Holtsville, NY/Sachem East), and setter Kayla Rende (Wantagh, NY/Wantagh). Rachuta led the team in digs (269) and added 23 service aces, while Rende was the primary setter with a team-best 365 assists. She also was second for the Red Dragons with 25 aces. Biggers tacked on 96 kills and was third with 16 blocks.

For the juniors, opposite Caitlin Christie (Bay Shore, NY/Bay Shore) led Oneonta with 199 kills and was second in total blocks (31). Middle blocker Ashanti Davis (Cortlandt Manor, NY/Hendrick Hudson) returns and led the team in hitting percentage (.233) and total blocks (81.0) last season. She was also second with 161 kills. Joining her is middle blocker Isabella Fabrizio (Highland Mills, NY/Cornwall) who topped the team with 27 service aces with 124 kills and 206 digs. Setter Sophia Gerace (Pearl River, NY/Pearl River) also proved to be a reliable roleplayer, dishing out 200 assists and knocking in 14 aces.

Sophomore Layla Alt (Shullsburg, WI/Shullsburg) joins the Red Dragons as a setter in 2022, while defensive specialist Annalisa Alicea (Poughkeepsie, NY/Arlington) played in 61 sets and tallied 116 digs in her first season.

Oneonta welcomes six newcomers in middle blockers Mikayla Kendrick (Nassau, NY/Columbia) and Katie Spano (Dryden, NY/Dryden), outside hitter Gianna May (Baldwinsville, NY/Baldwinsville), opposites Colleen McCabe (Rockville Centre, NY/Oceanside) and Sabrina Squicciarini (Manorville, NY/St. Anthony's), and libero Anna Moller (Long Beach, NY/Long Beach Senior).

Following tonight's match, the Red Dragons face Wells and RIT on Sat. Sept. 3 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. in Rochester.