Due West, S.C. – Senior Caitlin Bullock (Lexington, SC, White Knoll High School) seeks to lead a talent deep Erskine Women's Volleyball Team (12-15, 10-8) to their first regular season conference and tournament title this year.  The two-time 1^st Team All-Conference honoree needs just 169 kills to surpass Lauren Stewart (2009-2012) for the top spot for most kills in a career.

The Flying Fleet were voted to finish 6^th in the recent Conference Carolinas Coaches' Preseason Poll.

Last season the Flying Fleet posted their fifth consecutive winning season in conference play, finishing in a 4-way tie for 2^nd place in the standings.  In fact, the Fleet have not had a losing season in conference play since returning as a varsity sport back in 2009.

The Fleet just missed their fourth consecutive overall winning season, finishing with a 12-15 record.  The last time the Fleet had an overall losing record was back in 2009 and the Fleet posted their best record the next year going 20-11 and earned their first-ever NCAA regional ranking.

Just as in 2009, the Fleet possess a nucleus of returning players who saw significant playing time last season.  In addition to Bullock, the Fleet also return all-conference player Kelly Sullivan (Wellington, FL, Wellington Community High School).  Sullivan played well from her middle hitter position, providing a second scoring option to Bullock while playing superior defense.

The Fleet also return five other significant contributors from last year's squad in outside hitter Marissa Greenough (Laguna Beach, CA, Laguna Beach High School), setter Catie Hurt (Mt. Pleasant, SC, Wando High School), setter Megan Johnson (Little River, SC, Scholars Academy), defensive specialist Emily Kennington (Jefferson, SC, Central High School), and defensive specialist Kendall Kirk (Lexington, SC, White Knoll High School).

The returners will face stiff competition from the nine new players Head Coach Heather Vahjen added to this year's squad, including three transfers.   Kristen Dodge (Duncan, SC, Byrnes High School), sister to former Erskine standout Brooke Dodge '12, will compete at the setter position while Samantha Harting (Laguna Beach, CA, Laguna Beach High School) and Sade Mendez (Gardena, CA, Redondo Union High School), both from California, should strengthen the Fleet's play at the net.  Freshmen Jessica Bunn (San Juan Capistrano, CA, Dana Hills High School), Katie Blitch (Charleston, SC, First Baptist Academy), and Catherine McAlister (Charleston, SC, Bishop England School) may also see considerable time on the court this season.

Erskine opens their season at the Francis Marion Invitational on September 5^th and 6^th.  The Flying Fleet's home opener is not until September 26^th against in-state conference foe, the Valkyries of Converse College.  Admission is free to all home Erskine women's volleyball games.

Roster

Schedule