BROCKPORT, N.Y. – The College at Brockport volleyball team will look to continue their impressive run of three straight State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) titles and NCAA Tournament appearances in the 2018 season.
 
The Golden Eagles recorded another undefeated year in conference play, going 9-0 and held an overall mark of 26-9. Heading into the 2018 season, the unit was voted number one in the SUNYAC pre-season poll as they bring back second team selections Laiken Fox and Meaghan Mastro and third-team selection Maddy Taylor. Mastro was also awarded SUNYAC Rookie of the Year after an impressive freshman campaign.
 
These three are among a group of returners that will be asked to lead a young group.
 
"All returners were a big part of our program and what we do in and out of our gym on a daily basis," stated head coach Steve Pike. "We are seven days into training and have had one scrimmage so we don't have our roles defined yet. That will be coming soon as we start our season."
 
Senior returners, Taylor, Cassie Birth and Emily Orminski, will be joined be seniors Abbey Manning and Brittany Orminski, and will add a lot of experience and leadership to the team. Returning juniors, Elena Grossman, Lindsey Luce and Christa Mickol can add depth to the unit, as they battle for court time. Kristen Lansburg is a junior who graduated early, but returns to help with passing and defense.
 
Fox and Mastro are two returning sophomores that will look to build on strong freshman campaigns. Shelby Budnick, Myah Frostclapp, Alexi Hamilton, Lauren Hess, Kerri McHale and Rebekah Ugenti are all looking at ways to contribute in their first season at Brockport.
 
Heading into the year, coach Pike has three goals in mind.
 
"First, we want to have a team GPA of 3.5 for both semesters," he began. "Next we want to be the first four-time SUNYAC Champions since Cortland won five straight between 2003 and 2007."
 
The Golden Eagles last won four straight SUNYAC Championships in volleyball from 1990 to 1994, when they won five straight titles.
 
"The final goal," Pike said, "is too be the first SUNYAC team to go to the NCAA Final Four."
 
The team enters 2018 with a young squad, but coach Pike isn't worried.
 
"Each year is different and it is one of the great things about coaching," he mentioned. "Every year it is a new challenge to get this group to become a team, and help them learn to best use their skills and talents. It will be fun to see them become the best version that they can be."
 
The Green and Gold travel to the University of Scranton to compete in the Scranton Invitational. The first matchup is on Friday, Aug. 31 when Brockport faces off against Eastern University at 6:30 p.m.
 
Be sure to stay up to date on all your Golden Eagle news, scores, and awards by following @BportAthletics on Twitter and by like the "Brockport Golden Eagles" Facebook page.